The chance of developing gallstones increases during pregnancy.
Gallstones can be painful and are responsible for one of the most common surgical procedures in the U.S.--gallbladder removal. Women who are pregnant should be particularly aware of the symptoms of a gallbladder attack caused by gallstones since they can develop during pregnancy.
The Facts
Gallstones are pebble-like substances that form in the gallbladder when bile in the body contains too much cholesterol, bile salts or bilirubin. Gallstones can block the normal flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder, resulting in inflammation that can lead to infection.
Significance
Women are twice as likely to develop gallstones than men, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). Pregnant women are at an even higher risk of developing gallstones than non-pregnant women since excess amounts of estrogen during pregnancy increases cholesterol levels in bile and decreases gallbladder movement.
Risks
Painful gallstones that are left untreated may lead to cholecystitis, pancreatitis, jaundice, gangrene, cholangitis, sepsis, fistula or cancer of the gallbladder.
Symptoms
Some gallstones are called "silent stones" because of their lack of symptoms and require no treatment. Other gallstones may cause a gallbladder attack, which frequently occurs after eating a fatty meal, and can be accompanied by pain in the back between the shoulders blades, pain under the right shoulder or steady pain in the upper right abdomen.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Gallstones may be diagnosed during pregnancy by gliding a handheld ultrasound device over the abdomen. Depending on the severity of the gallstones and condition of the gallbladder, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the gallbladder. Gallbladder surgery, or cholecystectomy, can be performed safely on pregnant women after the first trimester.
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