gall bladder

[artemis]

I was wondering if anyone has had gallbladder problems while pregnant. What were the symptoms, and what was the treatment? I think my symptoms are more consistent with gall ballder problems than with heart burn (stabbing pain under right rib, that doesn't go away with antacid or Zantac). My ob doc says that it's a "wait and see" type situation, since it cannot be treated while I am pregnant. Also, the symptoms may be caused by pregnancy itself, and therefore will go away after I deliver- at the end of this month !!! Any help would be appreciated.

[sophie]

Hi Artemis ( I like your name!)
I have had gallbladder problems but mine occurred after the birth of my second baby. When Lily was 6 weeks old I had an attack of terrible pain high up, just under my ribs, it was sort of pulsating and I had nausea with it. It was incredibly painful and I could get no relief from it. I ended up in hospital when blood tests showed my liver function was going crazy, and after a barrage of tests the doctors established I had gallstones, with one blocking the bile duct. The doctors were mystified as to why I should have gallstones as the at-risk group is usually middle-aged, overweight females with high-fat diets. I was 26 at the time, not overweight, and on a vegan diet! I couldn't explain it until all these women started telling me they had experienced the same thing either while pregnant or after giving birth, often after subsequent (ie not first) babies. I have no idea why the doctors didn't know this. With my third pregnancy, my midwife said she has had quite a few women who have had the same problem. One of them got it so bad that she was induced a couple of weeks early so she could get her gallbladder out.
With me, I was hesitant to get my gallbladder taken out and tried to cure myself using homeopathic and naturopathic treatments. I was back in hospital a few weeks later, but still didn't want the op. Everything was fine for nearly a year, then I had a severe attack when a gallstone (they were tiny, by the way, like gravel) got stuck in my pancreatic duct and I got pancreatitus (which can be fatal). I have never been so sick in my life. After that I couldn't get my gallbladder taken out quick enough! Since then I have had no problems.
So, back to you. The symptoms are similar to heartburn, i remember that's what I initially thought before it got severely painful. How pregnant are you? I guess your doctor is right- there is nothing much that can be done until you give birth. If you still have symptoms then, then maybe your doctor will recommend you have your gallbladder removed. I hope that the pain you are having is not too bad and stays that way. I was given morphine for the pain, and this is me who has given birth three times with no drugs whatsoever!
The reason pregnant women are susceptable is due to the internal organs getting all squished up. For some reason I only experienced problems after I'd had my baby, but I know of women who have had the same thing you describe (and basically had to grin and bear it) and then after giving birth have been fine. I hope everything goes well for you!

[artemis]

thanks for the information- thankfully, i am due at the end of this month, right around thanksgiving- so my pain will be relatively short -term. I am just thankful that this didn't start earlier in my pregnancy! This is my first- and by the way i am feeling now, it will be my last. I also had kidney stones, twice. I guess this baby is pushing everything around and my body isn't handling it well at all.

I, too, was surprised to read that gall stones or gall bladder disease was typically associated with a high fat, high meat intake- which i obviously don't have. I have read that to reduce symptoms, one should avoid meat, fried food, and high fat food. Well, unfortunately, i have avoided these foods for the past ten years, and this seems to be more a result of pregnancy than diet. So there isn't anything i can do, but grin and bear it. I wonder what childbirth will feel like, compared to this???

[VOW]

Childbirth will be a breeze, especially since you have experienced kidney stones, too. I've read that kidney stones are the closest a man will ever come to understanding what labor is like, LOL.

The high fat diet is one contributor of gallstones. Rapid weight gain or weight loss is another. And frankly, in pregnancy, you tend to gain weight!



~VOW

[sophie]

Artemis- I'd say the pain is comparable to moderate labour pains, except in a different region and you don't get a breather between each gall bladder pain! You also don't get a lovely result at the end (a baby I mean:) ). Plus the awful thing is you can't get comfortable. no matter what position etc, whereas in labour you can shift around and find ways to help relieve the pain. I really do sympathise with you. After going through it I said I would definitely have to resolve the problem before ever getting pregnant again, I was so scared of having it while pregnant and not being able to take pain relief (so I got my gallbaldder out and all was better), so I am thoroughly impressed by anyone, such as yourself, who has to endure it. Not long to go- hang in there!

[artemis]

Thank you both for your words of encouragement! I am hanging in there--just trying to keep my baby from kicking me in that area! I think it will be better when he drops-- any day now! :)