Why Gallbladder stones common in pregnancy

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 Introduction

Pregnancy gallstones are more prevalent than most people think. Gallbladder stones can occur in as many as 6–12% of pregnant women, particularly in the second or third trimester. This risk is influenced by lifestyle factors, hormonal changes, and slower digestion.

This blog will discuss the symptoms, risk factors, and safe management or prevention of gallbladder stones, as well as why they are common during pregnancy.

Gallbladder stones: what are they?

The gallbladder, a little organ beneath the liver that stores and releases bile for fat digestion, is where gallstones, also known as gallbladder stones, are hard, pebble-like materials that develop.

Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. They consist primarily of:

  • The cholesterol
  • The bilirubin
  • Salts of calcium

Gallstones in Pregnancy

Gallbladder stones (gallstones) can arise after pregnancy for a variety of biological and hormonal reasons. Some women have this issue more frequently during or after pregnancy. The following are some primary causes:

1. Hormonal changes

  • A primary cause of stones, Estrogen raises the gallbladder's cholesterol levels.
  • Progesterone slows down the gallbladder's motility, or movement, which prolongs the time that bile remains in the gallbladder and causes cholesterol to accumulate and form stones.

2. Gallbladder empty slow down

Because the gallbladder does not drain entirely during pregnancy, cholesterol-rich bile accumulates there and eventually forms stones.

3. Weight gain

Gaining weight during and after pregnancy increases the risk of gallstones because obesity raises blood cholesterol levels.

4. Genetics

Gallstones are more likely to develop in you if someone in your family already has them. This is also influenced by a sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet that includes too many fatty or oily foods.

5. A decrease in physical activity

  • Mobility is frequently decreased during pregnancy, particularly in the later stages. This could lead to:
  • Reduced rate of digesting
  • Poor gallbladder performance

6. Modifications to the Diet During Pregnancy

Due to dietary recommendations or cravings, many pregnant women eat more fatty or high-calorie items. A diet that is low in fiber and heavy in fat can:
  • Elevate the cholesterol in the bile
  • Slow digestion
  • contribute to the development of gallstones

How Frequently Do Pregnancy Gallstones Occur?

  • 6–12% of pregnant women get gallstones, particularly in the third trimester.
  • Before giving birth, many women might not have any symptoms.
  • About 1% to 2% of pregnant women who have gallstones may have issues such as gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis.

Gallstones are more common in females

  1. Due to high estrogen, it increase cholesterol in bile.
  2. Due to high progesterone, it  slows gallbladder contraction.
  3. In pregnancy, increase the both estrogen and progesterone and it slows bile flow.
  4. Taking birth control pills, same effect as pregnancy on bile.
  5. Natural bile composition, it is more than in males.

Symptoms of Gallstones

  1. Upper abdominal pain, particularly on the right side
  2. Pain that worsens after consuming fatty foods
  3. Vomiting or feeling queasy
  4. bloating
  5. Pain Radiating to back or right
  6. Nausea
  7. Gas
  8. Indigestion
  9. Burping or belching
  10. Fever with chills
  11. Jaundice
  12. Dark urine and pale stools
  13. Appetite loss

Gallstone Diagnosis During Pregnancy

To identify gallstones during pregnancy, doctors employ non-invasive, safe techniques:

  • The most popular and secure imaging method is the ultrasound scan.
  • Blood tests: To find indications of liver involvement or infection.

How Do Pregnancy Gallstones Get Treated?
The intensity of symptoms and trimester determine the course of treatment:

Conservative Care (for minor or nonexistent symptoms)

  • Diet low in fat
  • More frequent and smaller meals
  • Lots of liquids
  • Ultrasound monitoring
Intervention with medicine or surgery (for problems)
Pregnancy-safe medicine for pain control.
  • In the second trimester, surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) may be necessary if there are:
  • Chronic discomfort
  • Cholecystitis, or infection
  • Bile duct blockage risk
Unless it is absolutely necessary, surgery is usually avoided throughout the first and third trimesters.

Changes in Lifestyle to Reduce the Risk of Gallstones

  • Certain lifestyle choices, in addition to nutrition, can help avoid gallstones:
  • Engage in pregnancy-safe activities like yoga or walking to stay active.
  • Steer clear of crash dieting and quick weight gain.
  • Regularly schedule follow-up prenatal visits.
  • Control your cholesterol with plans that have been recommended by your doctor.

 Do Gallstones Affect the Baby?

Avoiding Direct Injury to the Infant

  • The gallbladder, which is not attached to the uterus or placenta, is where gallstones are found. Thus:
  • They don't pass through the placenta.
  • They don't get into the baby's blood.
  • The majority of mothers with gallstones give birth to healthy, full-term children.

When Gallstones Can Indirectly Affect the Baby

1. Cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation

  • Severe pain and infection may result from a stone obstructing the bile duct.
  • The body reacts by producing fever and inflammation, which puts the mother under more stress and could result in preterm delivery.

2. Inadequate Nutrition

In the event that the mother experiences persistent gallstone-related pain, nausea, or vomiting, she may:
  • Eat poorly.
  • Reduce your weight
  • develop nutritional shortages or dehydration, which may have an indirect impact on the growth of the fetus.

3. Risk of Surgery

There is a small chance of the following if emergency gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) is required, particularly during the first or third trimester:
  • Early labor
  • Miscarriage
  • Problems associated with anesthesia

Gallstone prevention tips for women especially in post pregnancy

  1. Eat high-fiber diet, fruits, oats, vegetables, whole grains and legumes
  2. Avoid fatty, oily and fried foods- limit ghee, butter, cream, fried food, red meat
  3. Choose low fat dairy- use toned milk, low fat curd
  4. Eat regular and balanced diet
  5. Maintain a healthy weight
  6. Stay physical active
  7. Drink plenty of water
  8. Monitor hormones after delivery
  9. Routine check up if family history id present
  10. Cook light, healthy meals at home

Location: India

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