Gallstones and Pregnancy

Upper Abdomen Pain in Pregnancy is Not Normal and Could be Serious

Mar 2, 2008

Gallstones are a painful condition that can be caused and worsened by pregnancy. During pregnancy, the body slows and the gallbladder cannot empty excess cholesterol.

Pregnancy is beautiful, but not always glamorous. Morning sickness, swollen ankles and headaches are normal, but sharp abdominal pain or pain that radiates into the back and right shoulder blade in addition to nausea and vomiting is a sign that a person might have gallstones.

What are Gallstones?

Gallstones are solid deposits of cholesterol or calcium salts that form in the gallbladder or in the nearby bile ducts. Diets high in cholesterol and fat increase the chance of developing stones. When you eat fat, both the liver and gallbladder excrete bile to the stomach for digestion. The gallbladder contracts to release the bile that is needed to digest the fat. Once digestion stops, and if the gallbladder is not emptied out completely, bile that remains in the gallbladder can become too concentrated with cholesterol and stones are created.

Pregnancy Increases the Chance of Developing Gallstones

During pregnancy, extra hormones slow the body and digestion, making it harder for the gallbladder to empty. When a person has stones, the gallbladder contracts around them which is like grabbing a handful of jagged stones and squeezing them in your hand for hours on end.

Mexicans and Mexican-Americans are more likely to develop gallstones than any other women, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). They are dangerously susceptible because of diet choices and the rate of obesity and diabetes. Though not all stones are necessarily painful, they can still pass into the nearby bile ducts and cause pancreatitis, a life threatening condition.

What Happens if Diagnosed with Gallstones?

If pregnant and diagnosed with gallstones, doctors will be advise patients to go on an ultra-low fat, bland diet. This is to prevent a gallbladder attack since it is too dangerous to have surgery while pregnant. The only time that a doctor will recommend surgery is if a woman is having multiple attacks and if she is in the second trimester. Any earlier could cause a miscarriage, any later and the surgery is just too difficult because of the size of the baby.

Mild gallstone pain is manageable, and the stones may be a blessing in disguise since they force pregnant women to eat healthily for themselves and their baby. It is an opportunity to learn about healthier lifestyles and a time to think about how to deal with the issue once the baby is born. There are many options besides gallbladder surgery, including herbal medicines that flush the gallbladder, and acupuncture. The most important thing is for a pregnant woman to eat enough low fat foods to sustain herself and to nourish her baby.

The copyright of the article Gallstones and Pregnancy in Prenatal Health is owned by Carmen Sofia Grant. Permission to republish Gallstones and Pregnancy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.