Gallbladder Symptoms During Pregnancy

As a result about 5 to 8 of women will experience either gallbladder sludge or gallstones during pregnancy.

Gallbladder symptoms during pregnancy. That s because the estrogen you produce during pregnancy can lead to higher cholesterol levels in your bile. Performing surgery during pregnancy isn t a preferred treatment but it s possible a woman can safely have her gallbladder removed during pregnancy. While gallbladder sludge is not a common problem there are certain people who have a. But with more obesity among younger women more younger women are being diagnosed with gallbladder disease.

Gallbladder attacks may occur often after fatty meals and at night. During pregnancy the odds are even higher. Gallbladder disease used to be known as an older woman s affliction. This causes the bile to stay in the gallbladder longer making it more concentrated and more prone to forming gallstones.

During pregnancy estrogen and progesterone levels are higher which slow the gallbladder from emptying. During pregnancy the hormones especially progesterone causes muscle tissues in the body to relax and this influences the gallbladder as well. Gallbladder sludge seems to be more common during pregnancy especially if you re following a strict diet. Hormonal changes in pregnancy may increase the risk of gallstones and other gallbladder problems.

Avoiding gallstones during pregnancy may just take some small tweaks to your routine. Problems occur when the stones block bile from flowing. But talk to your doctor if you are at higher risk for gallstones or are developing any worrisome symptoms. As a result the strength of the contraction of the gallbladder decreases thus slowing down the release of bile.

Pain gallstones moving through the gallbladder system or an inflamed or infected gallbladder can cause pain in the right abdomen near the ribcage. However if complications from gallstones or gallbladder disease worsen surgery may be required. Gallbladder complications are generally watched during pregnancy. Symptoms of gallbladder disease are more common in the third trimester or after delivery but those at higher risk can develop the symptoms earlier in pregnancy.

This is more common during pregnancy when the gallbladder is more sluggish at emptying bile giving it more time to form sludge or stones. Continue reading this momjunction post to know what gallbladder is how pregnancy affects its functions and what are the causes symptoms diagnosis treatment and prevention.