Does pregnancy cause gallbladder problems?

Women are less likely to get gallstones than men, but pregnant women are especially at risk. Gallbladder disease during pregnancy can cause serious symptoms and complications. During pregnancy, the mother's body has many changes and is sensitive, affecting bile and forming stones.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located under the liver that contains excess bile produced by the liver. When food enters the stomach, the gallbladder secretes bile into the small intestine to digest fat. About 12% of women develop gallbladder disease during pregnancy and show significant symptoms. For example:
Frequent severe pain in the upper abdomen Pain that increases after a fatty meal Pain in the back, between the shoulder blades or below the right shoulder Nausea, vomiting and bloating These acute symptoms are mandatory immediate cholecystectomy, both during pregnancy and postpartum. After appendectomy, cholecystectomy is the most common non-obstetric surgical intervention in pregnancy. The gallbladder is not an essential organ of the body, so the body will get used to losing the gallbladder.
In addition, cholestasis during pregnancy can cause symptoms of itching in the last month of pregnancy, but it is difficult to distinguish. This is because the enlarged belly during pregnancy can also cause skin tightness and itching. Note that some common treatments for itchy skin, such as antihistamines or hydrocortisone creams, are not only ineffective in the last trimester of pregnancy itching due to cholestasis, but can also be harmful to the skin. baby.

If gallbladder disease during pregnancy does not cause severe symptoms and discomfort, the doctor will wait and see how the situation goes. But the risk of pregnancy complications is greater if the mother has cholestasis during pregnancy. Complications include:
The fetus passes meconium before birth, affecting the baby's ability to breathe Preterm birth Stillbirth So your doctor may recommend delivering your baby a little earlier when you are ready. full 37 weeks and in good health.

The changes that happen during pregnancy and a few weeks after giving birth cause some women to have gallbladder problems. The function of the gallbladder is to store bile produced by the liver and aid in the digestion of fats. When bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough bile acids, or is not functioning properly, the gallbladder can form stones.
Some of the reasons why women are more susceptible to gallbladder disease during pregnancy are:
Hormonal changes During pregnancy, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone are higher, which inhibits the gallbladder, preventing contractions and the process empty. Bile that accumulates in the gallbladder can easily become concentrated and form stones.
Overweight, obesity Obese women are more prone to gallstones. This is because excess body fat reduces the amount of bile acids, leading to excess cholesterol in the gallbladder and stone formation. Gaining a few extra pounds during pregnancy and continuing to gain weight in the postpartum period also contribute to the risk of developing gallbladder problems.

Sudden weight loss Rapid weight loss is another risk factor for gallbladder problems. When the body burns fat too quickly, it causes the liver to secrete more cholesterol into the bile, leading to stone formation. During the postpartum period, some women actively lose weight. This can be the cause of gallbladder problems.
Pregnancy cholestasis tends to be present in some women with particular genes, but this is not a common occurrence. If the cause is genetic, about 90% of women who have had gallbladder disease in one pregnancy will have it again in the next pregnancy, and there is no way to reduce the risk.

Pregnant women can prevent gallbladder disease by the following:
Eat a lot of fiber To limit the risk of developing gallstones, it is recommended to follow a high-fiber diet to reduce the absorption of deoxycholic acid, thereby reducing the risk of gallstones. cholesterol will dissolve more easily in bile. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are very high-fiber options that are good for the gallbladder.
Scientific weight loss Try to lose no more than 1kg per week postpartum. This requirement will slow you back down to your pre-pregnancy figure, but it's important to help you avoid gallbladder problems.
Increase physical activity Finally, try to be physically active. One study found that exercising for at least 30 minutes, 5 times per week, reduced risk by 34%. Exercising regularly can be especially challenging when you've just had a baby, but you'll be able to boost your energy levels, improve your overall fitness, and protect your gallbladder health in particular.
If you have had cholestasis during pregnancy, you are more likely to have it again in your next pregnancy. Eating a nutritious, healthy, low-fat diet during pregnancy can reduce your risk of gallstone symptoms and keep both mother and baby healthy. Pregnant women should see a doctor as soon as possible when detecting symptoms related to the gallbladder to have a timely and appropriate treatment plan.

The Obstetrics Department of Vinmec International General Hospital has been highly appreciated by customers for its professional quality as well as professional care services.
Comprehensive mother and baby care : Comprehensive mother & baby health care, from before - during - after pregnancy fully; prenatal and postnatal screening for infants and mothers; heel test; maternity package ; pre-marital examination; prenatal care and counseling; cord blood storage. Children receive the best care from birth: right after the baby is born, the baby is skin-to-skin with the mother, the umbilical cord is cut by the father, and is monitored and cared for in the special care room for a few days. 12 hours for early detection of transient respiratory failure or other medical conditions. The baby is fully vaccinated. The birth team not only has obstetricians and midwives, but also has pediatricians on duty, monitoring to handle problems arising for the baby during the birth process. Modern and advanced techniques: Painless delivery by special anesthetic techniques. Treatment and care for extremely preterm infants < 27 weeks - Vinmec is the only hospital in the North that can save the lives of babies born 24 weeks premature. Outstanding equipment: The room is designed according to international hotel standards, with modern equipment such as: specialized transport incubators with ventilators, blood suction, pressure controlled oxygen tubes; deafness screening machine, brain cooling machine to treat asphyxia; CFM brain function monitor; Monitor 5 parameters; Resuscitation bed with built-in heating lamp.

Reference source: babycenter.com