Gallstones Symptoms During Pregnancy

According to research, gallbladder problems are only second to appendicitis problems during pregnancy. Because gallstones symptoms during pregnancy are very similar to the normal pregnancy symptoms, many women don't even realize that they have stones formed inside their gallbladder! According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), women aged between 20-60 years, have double the chances of developing gallstones when compared to men! Therefore, you will find more gallstone problems in women than men! The reason why typically all pregnant women experience extreme pain in the abdomen during or post pregnancy is because of the hormonal changes in the woman's body which trigger the formation of gallstones. This is why most women experience gallbladder attacks especially during the night or after consuming spicy or fatty meals.

Symptoms of a Gallstone Attack During Pregnancy

As mentioned earlier, a woman's body during pregnancy excretes a lot of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. The level of these hormones become exceptionally high and hampers the gallbladder function of secreting bile. Bile is a liquid stored in the gallbladder which helps in the process of digestion. Because of the presence of these hormones, the bile ends up crystallizing within the bladder and forms stones. The consumption of food items high in cholesterol and fats adds on to the stone formation and causes a lot of gallbladder problems, especially during pregnancy. Also, women who have been consuming a lot of birth control pills which are high in estrogen and progesterone are more likely to develop gallstones during pregnancy. Other risk factors include obesity, diet rich in cholesterol, rapid weight loss, ethnicity and diabetes. Mentioned below are the most commonly observed symptoms indicating the formation of gallstones during pregnancy. Have a look!

• Bloating in the abdominal region
• Constant pain under the right shoulder
• Gas
• Indigestion
• Pain between the shoulders
• Constant pain in the back
• Belching
• Tenderness in the abdominal region
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the abdominal region, especially the upper abdomen
• Sweating
• Cold flashes
• Light colored stool
• Fever
• Yellowish paleness in the eyes and skin
• Intolerance for fatty foods

The aforementioned symptoms may vary from person to person. While some women may not experience many symptoms other than minor abdominal pain, there are some women on the other hand which can experience constant and sharp abdomen pain lasting from 30 minutes to several hours, especially after meals or during the night. Therefore, it is best to get yourself checked by your doctor on a regular basis and inform him or her about the details of the symptoms that you have been experiencing.

Gallstones Treatment During Pregnancy

When it comes to dealing with a condition during pregnancy, the point to be noted is that, you are dealing with not one but two lives! Therefore, doctors pay special attention to the medications and treatment options subscribed to the expecting mother. Your doctor will usually advice you to consume diet which is low in fat and contains a healthy and balanced nutrition for the mother and the baby. Alternate treatment options like herbal medication, acupuncture therapy etc, may be suggested as these prove to be very beneficial in case of pregnancy. In extreme cases, doctors may wait until the birth of the baby as performing a gallstones surgery would be risky for the mother and the baby, especially during the third trimester. Which is why most of the women opt for getting the gallbladder removal done after giving birth to the baby.

It is essential for the would-be-mother to take some necessary steps to keep away from the trouble of dealing with gallstone attack again and again. These include maintaining a healthy low fat and non-acidic diet. Reading this article on gallstones diet advice would give you an idea of the diet you should follow. It is also important to be patient during the attacks, knowing that this will pass! Also you should take care of an electrolyte imbalance in the body immediately. It is best not to avoid these symptoms thinking that it is just because of pregnancy and do get in touch with your trusted gynecologist as soon as possible. Take care of yourself and the baby!