Q Is it okay to become pregnant while having gallstones? What should I do if gallstone symptoms appear during pregnancy?
A During pregnancy, changes in estrogen and progesterone raise the risk of gallstone formation and worsening. If there are no symptoms, observation is the rule, but if severe abdominal pain, jaundice, or high fever occurs, you must seek obstetric and surgical care immediately.
Detailed Answer
During pregnancy, estrogen increases cholesterol secretion in bile, and progesterone suppresses gallbladder contraction, promoting bile stagnation. This can cause new gallstones to form or existing gallstone symptoms to worsen in pregnant women. Surgery during pregnancy is performed in the second trimester when possible, while conservative treatment takes priority in the first and third trimesters.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Choleretic herbs that can be taken during pregnancy are limited, so they must be prescribed only after consulting a Korean medicine doctor. Korean medicine treatment during pregnancy centers on dietary management and safe acupoint stimulation, with conventional emergency care prioritized for acute symptoms.
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