Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms, Week by Week Pregnancy Guide

Pregnant women undergo typical problems like aches, pain, stretch marks, morning sickness and swollen feet which are common. However, the most occurring problem faced by women during and after pregnancy is the pain caused by gall stones. Studies prove that the women population has twice the risk of developing gallstones compared to that in men.

Pregnancy, estrogen and usage of birth control leads to high risk for developing gall bladder problems. There are circumstances where women experience severe pain and their gall bladders are removed during the pregnancy period. In most of the surgical condition cases, gall bladders are removed after the pregnancy period.

Link Between Pregnancy and Gall Bladder

The function of the gall bladder is to store the bile produced by the liver and release it to the small intestine to help in digesting the fats. In case if there is any imbalance of components in the bile, hardened gall stones are formed in the gall bladder. During pregnancy, estrogen hormones are produced and when the estrogen level increases, the cholesterol level in the bile also rises simultaneously, thereby creating gall bladder problems.

Symptoms of Gall Stones and Gall Bladder Issues

Many a times gall stones do not cause problems or symptoms and vanishes soon after pregnancy. However if you face severe pain and other related problems, it is recommended to let your doctor know for quick cure. The symptoms of gall stones are as under:

1. Continuous and increasing pain in the upper right part of your abdomen, especially after a heavy fatty meal.
2. Abdominal pain stretching for more than 5 hours.
3. Pain occurring between your shoulder blades or under your right shoulder.
4. Vomiting
5. Fever and chills
6. Jaundice or yellow skin.
7. Clay colored stool discharge.
8. Abdominal bloating.
9. Gas and indigestion.
10. Continuous non tolerance of intake of fatty acid.
11. White eyes.

Diagnosis of Gall Stones and Gall Bladder Problems

The prime effective diagnosis to confirm gall bladder problem is done through abdominal ultrasound performed by doctors. It is important to let your doctor know if you are pregnant as many diagnostic tests performed to detect gall stones are not safe for a pregnant lady.

How to Treat the Gall Bladder Disease During Pregnancy?

The inflamed gall bladder condition can be treated for reduced symptoms through proper diet and more exercise. Eat less of fatty foods. At times, doctors prescribe drugs to eradicate the problem for gall stones. If the pain does not stop and you face severe issue, then the doctor will recommend to undergo a surgery to lower the risk of acute colic or infection. Usually the gall bladder surgery is performed laparoscopically which means less pain and easy recovery.

Possibility of Gall Bladder Disease after Pregnancy

There are chances of getting affected by the gall bladder disease even after pregnancy when the hormone levels change after delivery. Sometimes due to tremendous weight loss, accumulation of extra cholesterol in the bile leads to build gall stones.

Ways to Prevent the Gall Stones

Proper gain in weight, intake of high fiber and low fat diet and control over your diabetes especially during pregnancy will help you prevent Gall stone formation.

Work to control your diet and take advice of your doctor during pregnancy to avoid gall stone formation and gall bladder symptoms.