Gallbladder Disease: Pregnancy and Gallbladder Attacks (Gallstones)

Some women develop gallstones during pregnancy that can cause painful gallbladder attacks. The possibility of this happening is even higher for women who have a family history of gallbladder disease. In my family, it is hereditary for women to develop gallstones during their first pregnancy and have severe gallbladder attacks. Several of us have had our gallbladder removed shortly after having our first child. Surgery is often the recommended treatment for gallbladder disease, but usually has to wait until after pregnancy.

First Gallbladder Attack During Pregnancy

I was about five months into my first pregnancy when I had my first gallbladder attack. It started with a severe pain in my upper abdomen that radiated all the way around to my back. I didn't know what was happening and was very scared because I thought I was having a miscarriage. I got very nauseous and starting violently throwing up. I threw up everything I had eaten and then threw up bile and acid until there was nothing left. The pain was relieved a little by throwing up, but it soon got worse again. I was rushed to the doctor in tears, afraid I was going to lose my baby.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The doctor was able to diagnose me with gallbladder disease very quickly when I told him my symptoms. I was sent in for an ultrasound to confirm that I had gallstones. The ultrasound showed multiple stones and an inflamed gallbladder. My doctor said I would probably need to have my gallbladder removed, but he didn't want it done while I was pregnant since I was so far along. I was prescribed medications to help control the attacks and to ease the pain during attacks and told to watch what I ate because fatty foods often trigger a gallbladder attack. I did my best, but still had to suffer through many painful attacks during the rest of my pregnancy.

A Gallbladder Attack Can Trigger Labor

Four days before my due date, I had a severe gallbladder attack that put me into labor. I was rushed to the hospital where they gave me medication to stop the gallbladder attack. This also stopped my labor, so they kept me overnight for observation. I spiked a fever during the night, possibly from the inflammation of my gallbladder, and was kept another night for observation. It was during this second night in the hospital that I went into labor without a gallbladder attack and gave birth to my first daughter.

Laparoscopic Surgery to Remove Gallbladder

The gallbladder attacks continued to be very severe after having my daughter, so my doctor recommended I have laparoscopic surgery done to have my gallbladder removed. Two months after having my daughter, I went in for surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is done with very small instruments so the incisions for the surgery are also very small. I was put under for the surgery and woke up with four incisions less than half an inch long and was able to go home the next day. I no longer suffer from gallbladder attacks.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease

Knowing the symptoms of a gallbladder attack can help you recognize the problem and get the appropriate treatment. These are some of the possible symptoms.

Severe pain in the upper abdomen and/or back (sometimes more on the right side)

Intolerance to fatty food

Nausea

Vomiting

Sources:

babycenter.com

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