gallbladder removal during second trimester- opinions/advice

I have had two gallbladder attacks since September, and my OB checked out gallbladder by ultrasound last week and today told me it really should come out. I called my surgeon and made appointment to talk about risks/benefits of getting it out while pregnant or waiting until the end of the pregnancy. When I have the attacks it is very painful but I don't want to harm the baby, so I just wanted to get everyones opinion about having this surgery during pregnancy. They say it is safest during second trimester, so thoughts? Please give advice on what you would do....I am all ears open and don't know what choice to make myself.

If you do not get it out what are the risks to you and your baby?

wow, I remember gall bladder attacks....so painful......good luck.  I guess just get with the dr and maybe get some other dr. opinions just to be sure.

I had mine removed at 28 weeks but if I could have waited till after pregnancy I would have definately. The risk is too high that baby will come because of the stress. If you can wait I would definately do that. Mine was infected and inflammed and way too much going on. I was in the hospital 4 days before I would even let them take it out. It was very hard going into the operating room cause the room was set up for emergency delivery also. So there was a basinett and everything in there. It is not worth the risk to the baby with all the meds and all they give you. It was very painful after also. I was on morphine every 10 minutes and they had to do it as an open incision cause going lap was not an option anymore. So the cut was about 4-5 inches and as baby grew the scar and that area was extremely sensitive. Hayvann liked to push up against that area also. I say wait but thats my opinion. Has to be up to you and docs. Good luck!!

 i'm sorry, I don't have any advice, but I was wondering if you could describe the pain from the gallbladder attacks....and how they determined that was the problem. 

thanks!!!

Tara

Everyone is a little different but I would wake up in the middle of the night with severe pain around my stomach/chest and back area.  The pain would go on for a few hours and it was random...sometimes once a month and sometimes few times a month....I wouldnt be able to walk or function at all.  My right arm would have shooting pain also, so I thought it was a heart attack at first but it was clearly the gallbladder once I had an ultrasound done...

I just had a phantom attack today. I had mine out Aug 08. For me it is a very sharp pain on my left side right under my ribs. It shoots straight back and it feels like if your back broke it would feel better. It is the WORSE pain I ahve ever had.

That's a tough one, I know exactly how painful gallbladder attacks are and I don't envy having to make this decision while pregnant!  Are your attacks easy to predict - like do certain foods (spicy, fatty, etc.) tend to bring on the attacks?  If so, maybe you could just be very strict about what foods you eat and stay on a very bland diet for the rest of your pregnancy.  My attacks were not like that, though - they could be triggered by chicken broth as easily as they could by chips and salsa. 

I don't know if everyone is like this, but my attacks got worse and worse.  The first couple were bad, but I could bear the pain and it only lasted four hours or so.  Then I had a REALLY bad one, and it lasted about 8 hours, but I still didn't call the doctor.  The one that finally sent me to the emergency room lasted for about 18 hours and morphine didn't touch the pain.  Just something to keep in mind if you have noticed that the second attack was worse than the first.

Good luck!

Personally? I would so not do it. I would be to afraid of doing something to the baby. If you can stand the pain I would wait.

Yeah, I think I have decided to just deal with it and talk to surgeon about getting it our while in the hosptial after the baby is born....and just plan for then...

Thanks everyone for you help, they are very painful when they come but they are not all the time- so better to hold off unless it becomes an emergency need.