by teddi » Sep 26, 2004 2:51 pm
Yes, it's safe to have an u/s on your gallbladder while pregnant. It's really no different than one done on the uterus.
I DID have my gallbladder removed while pregnant with my son. This was in 1999, and it was done at the beginning of my 2nd trimester (16 ish weeks) by laproscopic surgery.
No, the gallbladder wasn't causing my HG. I think it was actually the OTHER way around because I had no problems with my gallbladder prior to being pregnant (I was only 22!). I did make my HG more unbearable because of the constant pain. The HG did not resolve after the surgery and unfortunately lasted until birth.
There are risks with doing the surgery of course. Even doing the "laproscopic" surgery, while less invasive, is a major surgery. You are intubated and have general anesthesia. The anesthesia doesn't usually, but CAN cross the placenta and it is a small risk, but it CAN affect the baby. The "safest" time to do the surgery is at the beginning of the 2nd trimester- when the uterus is still small enough to be out of the way and yet the risk of miscarriage is substantially lower. I don't regret doing the surgery at all. I felt it was riskier to "do nothing" and "hold on" for 5 more MONTHS *hoping* things didn't go from bad to worse. Having to have emergency surgery during the 3rd trimester would be much riskier (they literally have to cut you open and move your uterus) and raise the risk of preterm labor alot! Not to mention leave you with recently cut abdominal muscles to endure labor with!
Teddi
Bert , 3/2000 HG#1, wk 6 - birth, GB removed @ 16wks
Chloe & Kaylie, 12/2004 HG #2, wk 7 - birth, pre-E/pancreatitis
~Angel babe~ March 2012
~ Baby Chuckles~ July 2013