Gallstones can lead to pain and other symptoms, and if left untreated, they can cause your gallbladder to become infected or even rupture. Women have a 2 to 3 times higher rate of gallstones than men, and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy put them at even greater risk. Still, gallstones are not an inevitable part of pregnancy if you’re willing to take steps to help avoid them.
What’s the Link Between Pregnancy and Gallstones?
Bile is a liquid produced by your liver that is primarily made of cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile salts. Your gallbladder stores bile until your body needs it, and then releases it into your small intestine, where it helps with the digestion of dietary fat and fat-soluble vitamins. If the substances that make up your bile become imbalanced — too much cholesterol or bilirubin and not enough bile salts, for example — hardened gallstones may form in your gallbladder. “Pregnant women are at increased risk for gallstones because of increased estrogen levels,” says Jose Nieto, DO, a gastroenterologist at the Borland-Groover Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, adding that weight gain and rapid weight loss after pregnancy also increase the risk. Increased estrogen is problematic because it can cause cholesterol levels in bile to spike, which can lead to the development of gallstones. Women who take birth control pills or are on hormone replacement therapy are also at increased risk of developing gallstones since these contain estrogen.
Symptoms of Gallstones During Pregnancy
Sometimes gallstones don’t cause problems or symptoms, and they may go away on their own after you deliver your baby. But it’s important to tell your doctor if you’re having any of the following potential symptoms of gallbladder problems:
Steady, severe pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen, especially after eating a fatty mealPain in the upper abdomen that radiates into your right shoulder and backAbdominal pain that lasts more than five hoursNausea and vomitingFever or chillsYellowing skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)Stools that are clay colored
Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallstones During Pregnancy
To confirm a diagnosis of gallstones, your doctor may perform an abdominal ultrasound, much like those you’ve probably already had to see your developing baby. Make sure your doctor knows that you’re pregnant, since many diagnostic tests for gallstones, such as an oral cholecystogram (X-ray of the gallbladder), computerized tomography (CT) scan, or nuclear scan may not be safe during pregnancy. Gallstones are most commonly treated by cholecystectomy, which is the surgical removal of your gallbladder. Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, your doctor may choose to carefully monitor you during pregnancy or go ahead and remove your gallbladder while you are pregnant.
How To Prevent Gallstones During Pregnancy
Here’s what you can do to help lower your risk of gallstones during pregnancy:
Gain a healthy amount of weight. Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of gallstones in women. Pregnancy is not a time for weight-loss diets, but working with your doctor to avoid excess weight gain can help.Eat a high-fiber diet. Too little fiber can increase your risk of developing gallstones. Eating more fiber-rich foods can help keep your gallbladder — and your baby — healthy.Choose the right fats. Monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fats help prevent gallstones, while foods high in saturated fat tend to promote their formation.Cut back on sugar and other refined carbohydrates. Sugar and products made from white or refined flour — such as many types of bread, pasta, crackers, and chips — increase the risk of gallstones. They also provide mostly empty calories, which is not something you or your baby really need.Manage diabetes. People with diabetes often have high triglyceride levels, and both conditions have been linked to an increased risk of gallstones. So work with your doctor to keep your diabetes under control while you are pregnant.
Avoiding gallstones during pregnancy may just take some small tweaks to your routine. But talk to your doctor if you are at higher risk for gallstones, or are developing any worrisome symptoms during your pregnancy. Additional reporting by Erica Ilton, RDN.
