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Do Gallbladder Issues During Pregnancy Require Medical Attention?
Question: at 35 weeks pregnant I just found out I have gallstones. I had a gallbladder attack that cause my pancreas to be inflamed over 24 hours ago my enzyme levels for my pancreas were high. I am still feeling residual aching when I breathe in is this normal? I currently cannot have my gallbladder removed because I can go into preterm labor how safe is it to wait until after the baby's born to get the gallbladder taken out? I'm still at the hospital but they just keep monitoring the baby nobody is monitoring my pancreas or my gallbladder I was just put on IV drips for over 24 hours and then transferred into soft foods is this protocol
Brief Answer:
As explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Gallbladder attack when pregnant for 35 weeks is surely a great clinical dilemma as it is very difficult to have a standard protocol as the management is concerned with both the lives.
It is possible that the pancreatic enzyme elevation might have been mild and clinically too mild hence you have been asked to take the soft diet.
This is possible and acceptable as per the clinical evaluation your Doctors must have been observing.
Residual aching on breathing is known to occur as undersurface of the diaphragm is secondarily inflamed and since diaphragm moves with respiration you tend to get the pain.
Surely, the gallbladder is not removed in a 35 week pregnant and kept under strict observation. surgery is planned at an appropriate time eventually.
If the inflammation subsides with medications and there is no other complication of obstruction by slipped stones, you can safely wait for surgery.
I hope this answers your queries and helps in decision making.
Obviously, the decision depends upon how you respond to the treatment as well as the baby's condition.
Please post the reports of investigations if possible of you and the baby's present condition as mentioned by the Doctors and paramedics.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr T Chandrakant, General Surgeon
As explained in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Gallbladder attack when pregnant for 35 weeks is surely a great clinical dilemma as it is very difficult to have a standard protocol as the management is concerned with both the lives.
It is possible that the pancreatic enzyme elevation might have been mild and clinically too mild hence you have been asked to take the soft diet.
This is possible and acceptable as per the clinical evaluation your Doctors must have been observing.
Residual aching on breathing is known to occur as undersurface of the diaphragm is secondarily inflamed and since diaphragm moves with respiration you tend to get the pain.
Surely, the gallbladder is not removed in a 35 week pregnant and kept under strict observation. surgery is planned at an appropriate time eventually.
If the inflammation subsides with medications and there is no other complication of obstruction by slipped stones, you can safely wait for surgery.
I hope this answers your queries and helps in decision making.
Obviously, the decision depends upon how you respond to the treatment as well as the baby's condition.
Please post the reports of investigations if possible of you and the baby's present condition as mentioned by the Doctors and paramedics.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr T Chandrakant, General Surgeon
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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