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Diet for gallstones in pregnancy

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Suffering from alterations in the gallbladder can be very common in many people, since it is common for stones to appear in this organ. It is an important part for the body because it is responsible for concentrating the digestive juice known as bile, which benefits the digestion of all foods, but especially helps digest fats, however, it could happen that the juice digestive contains a large amount of salts and cholesterol, causing the bile to solidify and give rise to the commonly known gallbladder stones .

When a woman is pregnant she experiences numerous hormonal changes, so they have a higher level of estrogen and progesterone that produce a stop in the contractions of the gallbladder, causing the bile to not be able to go out to do its work and improve digestion. Although it is essential to see a doctor, there are various foods that can help improve the disorder and its symptoms. That is why in the following FastlyHealarticle we detail how the gallbladder stone diet should be integrated in pregnancy .

Inflamed gallbladder: symptoms in pregnancy

It is known as biliary colic to abdominal pain that is produced by the obstruction, either total or partial , caused by the stones, of the channels that are responsible for conducting bile through the body. When bile cannot leave the gallbladder , this organ tends to become inflamed or complicated, leading to an infection in this organ. As bile juice cannot fulfill its function, all the fat consumed cannot be broken down during digestion, causing the following symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder :

  • Strong discomfort in the upper abdomen.
  • Sickness.
  • Vomiting
  • Yellowish or whitish stools.
  • There may be a fever.

Generally, the pains begin after an hour or two after eating foods that contain a large amount of fat. Because many people make their dinners the heaviest meal of the day, strong discomforts may be felt at night when trying to sleep.

It is important to know that this type of pain can also occur between the shoulder blades located on the back or below the patient’s right shoulder. Likewise, you can suffer from:

  • Gases.
  • Abdominal distension.
  • Fever.
  • Shaking chills.
  • Sweating

Inflamed gallbladder and pregnancy: causes

Progesterone is one of the hormones that produces the most changes when a woman is fathering a child. Among these changes caused by progesterone is muscle relaxation that can also affect the gallbladder. When this organ contracts too much and the bile cannot get out properly and remains stored in the place, sediment or stones are generated.

When this disorder appears it is important to consult a specialist , since its symptoms can be confused with frequent nausea and vomiting that are very common in almost all pregnant women. This is why it is essential to be aware that if they persist after the first trimester or the specialist has doubts about the functioning of the gallbladder, the necessary studies are carried out to rule out any suspicion.

If before becoming pregnant the woman suffered any alteration in the gallbladder, it is essential that this is discussed with the family doctor so that he can carry out the necessary controls throughout the pregnancy and avoid any type of complication.

Gallstones in pregnancy: diet

The main objectives of following a diet to eliminate gallstones during pregnancy is to alleviate the different symptoms caused by obstruction of the channels, prevent more stones from forming or increasing their size, and ensure that these stones are discarded. naturally to avoid surgical removal. The most advisable thing is to go to a nutritionist to grant a personalized diet according to the condition of each person and to keep track of progress to adjust the allowed foods.

The most important thing if the presence of gallstones has already been diagnosed is that the usual diet should be made low in fat , since its excess stimulates the movements of the gallbladder and the secretion of bile, which can drag some stone and that it gets stuck in the ducts blocking the passage. It should be eliminated from the diet:

  • Animal fat.
  • Sausages and their derivatives.
  • Fried and junk food.
  • Butter.
  • Reduce the consumption of olive oil.

For a pregnant woman with gallstones, the consumption of foods rich in fiber is much more recommended because this nutrient absorbs bile juices and thus prevents its constituent elements such as salts and cholesterol from accumulating in the gallbladder. In addition to this benefit, it will help women to improve intestinal transit and avoid the presence of constipation , a very common intestinal disorder at this stage. Fiber foods for kidney stones that can be included are:

  • The oats.
  • The pumpkin.
  • The chard
  • Tomato
  • The carrot

Especially if they are prepared cooked, and potatoes in a small portion to avoid gas. The advantage of these foods is that the piece can be eaten alone, in creams or purees, in a salad or integrated into the preparation of meals.

Another fundamental part of the diet for gallstones in pregnancy is the intake of foods with a large amount of antioxidants such as vitamin C and E. This property helps reduce bad cholesterol and reduces the possibility of suffering from more stones. Recommended foods include various fruits such as:

  • The lemon.
  • The Kiwi.
  • Pineapple.
  • The apples.
  • The peach and pear puree.

Any of them no more than 4 pieces a day, although it can also be prepared in juices.

The lecithin is a nutrient containing certain foods and which is also a component of bile, is which gives fluidity and ability to dilute the cholesterol forming the stones, so that an increase in their composition favors relieving this disturbance. In the diet for pregnant women with gallstones it is recommended

  • The soy.
  • The artichoke occasionally.
  • Legumes as long as they are not cooked whole or with fatty foods.

Staying hydrated will be one of the key factors to eliminate and avoid the formation of stones in the gallbladder, since through urine and defecation excess salts and cholesterol are eliminated, preventing these from being deposited and solidifying in the gallbladder. biliary forming stones.

Forbidden foods gallstones

It is important to eliminate from the diet for gallbladder stones during pregnancy all those foods that stimulate the movement of the gallbladder, those that intensify the symptoms and those that provide high amounts of cholesterol and salts that are deposited in this organ. There are several foods that are not allowed due to gallstones, but the most relevant are:

  • Whole milk.
  • Boiled eggs.
  • Pork, beef, oily fish, or pickled fish.
  • Viscera.
  • Whole grains.
  • Undercooked pasta.
  • Gas-producing vegetables such as cabbage, cabbage, cauliflower, onion, and raw bell pepper.
  • Nuts.
  • Fruits with caramel.
  • Spicy foods.
  • Drinks with chocolate, guarana, alcohol, gas or coffee and black tea.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Diet for gallstones in pregnancy , we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category .

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