Pregnant with Distressed Gallbladder

Updated on November 26, 2008
N.F. asks from San Mateo, CA
14 answers

After going to the doctor for pain in my upper right abdomen, I was diagnosed with an aggravated gallbladder. Has anyone experienced this or have advice on how to alleviate this uncomfortable condition? Will this last through my entire pregnancy?

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So What Happened?

Wow, I am overwhelmed and so thankful for all the responses I received. It is reassuring to know that others know what I am going through, and I am taking all of the advice to heart. Thanks!

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A.B.

answers from Sacramento on

N., it one oclock at night, i need to go to bed, cannot sit and tipe, please call me ###-###-####.
A..

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L.M.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi, I had gallbladder attacks with my 4th pregnancy. There are a few things you can do to keep them quite for the most part.

Gallbladder issues are actually a result of a toxic congested liver. However, you are limited on what you can do while pregnant as you cannot do many types of detoxing because it is not good to put those toxins thru the babies. There is one product that is safe to take while pregnant and it removes toxins from you and those circulating through the umbilical cord blood.

I would suggest you take the time to watch:
www.sharethecause.com/live

Pay close attention to what the Biochemist and the triple board certified Medical Doctor discusses.
Feel free to share your comments on the section provided and any further questions you may have. I will respond accordingly.

Also, go to www.ewg.org and look at the newborn umbilical cord studies and the humantoxome project video.

This is a lot of information but can be life changing if you move forward with prevention.

With respect to what else you can do to keep the gallbladder quiet... do not eat nuts, peanut butter and foods high in fats as the liver/ gallbladder becomes overtaxed and can cause attacks. Keep to whole foods that are healthy, preservative free and easy to digest. Lean proteins, such as fish and chicken.. red meat can aggravate.. lots of fruits and green vegetables.

Make sure you are on a whole food prenatal vitamin and I strongly recommend a brand called "whole food prenatals".
This will help substantially with "twins" and all of you getting what you need. Take them as directed.

Drink lots of water, 1/2 you body weight in ounces a day for proper filtration and bile production in the liver. Your body works as a pool filter water keeps things "moving".

After you have the babies, you can do some gentle cleanses to completely cleanse the stones out of the liver.

Take Care .. L. M.

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C.T.

answers from Sacramento on

I would recommend you see an acupuncturist before doing surgery. The gall bladder being out of whack can be a sign that other things are not balanced. I saw an acupuncturist while pregnant with a different issue and it helped me a lot. Might be worth a shot before doing surgery!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I had problems with my gall bladder when I was pregnant with my second. I even thought I was in labor, it was that bad. I spent an uncomfortable day hooked up to fetal monitors. I found out (2 weeks after having my baby) that I had gallstones and had to have emergency surgery just 2 weeks after my c-section.

I've had no problems with my gall bladder since, because it is gone! I have to really watch what I eat. I hear fats are the worst (like the other poster mentioned) but I've always had a low fat diet and still had the gallstones. I know it is really uncomfortable, I thought it felt the way I imagined a heart attack would feel, but I haven't had a heart attack so I don't know for sure. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I hope you are able to manage this and enjoy your pregnancy. I had the constant nausea and gall bladder pain throughout my pregnancy and it's hard to be positive about the experience.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.F.

answers from San Francisco on

It can be very painful but is helped if you avoid fatty foods and caffeine. Good luck! C.

1 mom found this helpful
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U.S.

answers from Yuba City on

Hi,

Acupuncture is a safe effective treatment for morning sickenss. It can also be helpful in alliviating/tonifying your gallbladder. I had my own acupuncture/fertility practice in San Jose until I moved up to Penn Valley when I got pregnant. My expectant mothers have little to no problems with morning sickness.
If you contact a practitioner make sure they have experience dealing with mother's to be.

Good luck.

U.

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B.G.

answers from San Francisco on

I actually had to have my gallbladder removed during my 14th week of pregnancy with my daughter, my first child. Extremely stressful and scary, but happy to say surgery was successful and my daughter is now 4 years old and perfect in every way. Sorry I don't have any ways to help you cope, my surgery was emergency, but in case it comes to that I wanted you to feel hopeful that it wasn't a big deal.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi N.

Firstly congrats!! as for your gallbladder, I did experience this in my pregnancy and there after, the best thing you can probably do is limit your fat intake.. I find (even to this day) 6 yrs after my pregnancy that IF I eat a meal that has too much fat in it, my gallbladder acts up, figure if your gallbladder is acting up, your liver is getting a run for it's money too as it's right next to the GB and also helps filter out toxins from your body. With the increased hormones , your organs are working overtime, so you really have to make healthy choices when it comes to eating. High fat foods such as FRIED or red meat can be very fatty and rich, I found it's best to avoid them (This includes rich dairy products such as ice cream, whole milk and cheese) all these things can really upset the GB and liver (they did mine) start to begin to notice how food makes you feel as you do this, you'll begin to learn what foods you may need to eliminate and what foods you can keep.
I wish you the best!!

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T.V.

answers from San Francisco on

N.,

Listen to your doc....THE BAD NEWS: Some women experience nausea and are uncomfortable the whole time...some women must have bed rest for a good part of the time.

THE GOOD NEWS: Most women don't.....Eat right, rest right, exercise as your doc recommends. I think just regular walking (on a daily basis) is best (rain or shine)...you can walk around your kitchen and/or house if the weather is bad.

In the end you will have your beautiful babies....so please don't over stress yourself.

Blessings....

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T.R.

answers from Yuba City on

Your nausea could be related to the gall bladder. I had mine out right before I conceived my 2nd child, but the doctor told me after 20 weeks of pregnancy they safely can usually remove a gall bladder. I would visit with a surgeon, sooner than later. It can get really ugly espeically being pregnant.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Dear N.,

I am so happy for you! I don't know anything about gall bladders, but I was nauseous up to the day I delivered (that included the first few hours afterwards, too). I would have liked to enjoy the experience of being pregnant, but unfortunately, I was unable to... The moral is, every pregnancy is different, and not all are enjoyable. The result, however, was great, at least until proto-teenagerhood.

Good luck,

E.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from San Francisco on

N.,

It wasn't until after I had my gallbladder removed that a nurse told me it was common for gallbladders to get agriviated due to vast hormonal fluctuations. Hormonal fluctuations pass. Please try not to let anyone convince you to eventually get it yanked out. Ive actually read that everyone has gallstones in the gallbladders to some extent. Every single thing on our body is there for a reason. I know because now I have extreme pain when eating spice and fat, the two things that gall bladder bile breaks down for you. Without it you cannot fully didgest and fully absorb your food. That can lead to malnutrition, eventually even cancer.

I would try a t. of cocoanut oil immediately followed by a T of Cod Liver oil. Cod liver oil is a GREAT supplement when pregnant. I know coconut oil is a fat, BUT,it is a medium chain fatty acid, the kind your body needs. Cut out all that other fat,the oil, like canola, etc, that oxidize and go rancid, and use this for the fat your body needs. I read that gall bladder is a liver thing, and Milk Thistle helps with that, but dont know if you can take it pregnant.
Get on some vitamins: Morning sickness with vomiting is a vit b3/b5 deficiency. Morning sickness just nausea could be a vit b6, vit k defiecency. B vitamins are water soluable and need to be replaced daily. Any diet that has sugar and refined carbs in it depletes b vits.
Another cause of chest pain, beleive it or not, is dehydration. We don't even have to be thirsty and we can still be dehydrated. Dehydration causes organs and tissues in the body to shut down while it re-routes the water to vital organs like the brain. The first sign for me when I'm dehydrated is dry lips,a tingly or burning tounge, grouchyness, and/or a headache. By the time I'm thirsty, im REALLY dehydrated.
Hormones do a lot of things to the body and control a lot of things, especially thyroid and gallbladders. CLEARLY HORMONES AFFECT GALLBLADDERS! Try to minimize estrogen in the body by minimizing estrogenetic sources, things that will mimic estrogen and have the same affect. That would be SOY, f d and C red #5, Parabens in skin lotions, suntan oils, meats and dairy with growth hormones. get hormonse free beef. There are more, but especially watch for soy, as it is in almost all processed foods. It could be listed as soy protien, soy glutamate, etc. Not only does soy increase estrogen in your body, it will do so in the fetus and will cause feminization of males and decrease the fetus's fertility later in life. reseach this on yahoo, you will see the medical reports! The other thing I would not eat is MSG. I think it is also a culprit. Many gallbladder attacks occur after a highly processed, highly bad-fatted, highly MSG seasoned food.

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S.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi N.,
CONGRATULATIONS N.
I went through the same thing. I did ivf and was pregnant with twins. Sadly we lost one of them at nine weeks. I had horrible pain in my gall bladder and had an ultrasound done. The ultrasound confirmed gallstones. I went to a surgeon who said there was no way he would remove it during my second trimester so I had to keep to a no fat diet during my whole pregnancy. It was very hard and I never knew what would set off the pain. It did improve after I had my daughter but then got bad again months later. I ended up having my gall bladder removed. I am glad I did. I don't know if this helps but hang in there and seek advice from your ob!!If you are still in your first trimester, a surgeon may be able to remove it sooner rather than later which would make your pregnancy MUCH more enjoyable!!

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A.D.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi N.,
I had that from my second to eighth month of pregnancy. I learned about a daily drink from someone on mamasource. Every morning drink: juice of one lemon, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar(best brand is braggs-available at health food stores), and one tablespoon of olive oil. It is nasty but really worked for me. You can delute it with apple juice. I also drank a ton of apple juice something in it - starts with an M helps the gallbladder. Also eliminate spicy,acidic,and fatty foods- takes all the fun out of being pregnant!!!
Good Luck, A.

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