Gallbladder Discomfort in Pregnancy-- Natural Treatment Ideas

Do you have: 

Pain under right ribs almost at the midline of your body

Right shoulder blade pain
Itching skin

Nausea

Loss of appetite

Cholestasis occurs when the bile thickens in pregnancy and causes a backup of bile into the liver.  The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits just in front of your liver in the upper right abdominal quadrant. Its chief job is to emulsify fats and is largely responsible for how our bodies deal with fats. It can be a very serious condition and must be monitored by your health care professional. More info HERE.

When a woman is pregnant her gallbladder can become a problem because the extra hormones of pregnancy thicken the bile and also put more pressure on the gallbladder to sponge up those hormones.  Even with no gallstones or sluggish bile seen on ultrasound, the bile can still be thickened and cause a functional problem not able to be caught on testing.  This can not only lead to pain in the gallbladder region but also predisposes a woman to cholestasis and intensely itchy skin.

Many times in my practice I have had women come in complaining of right shoulder blade pain or pain under the right rib cage. Itchy skin. Many times these symptoms develop before ICP develops fully. in their blood work. Then we can try natural treatment ideas and honestly, I have seen great success.

Obviously, if liver enzymes are elevated it is important to follow your provider’s guidance to keep you and your baby safe.

Natural Treatments:

Standard Process is a whole food supplement company.  Since 1926 they have made supplements out of food so they are safe for pregnancy and nursing. 

Dose all 2 tablets three times a day WITH FOOD.

Zypan- a digestive aid for the stomach.  If it causes any burning/acid feel in stomach, discontinue immediately.

Cholacol- “Gall bladder in a bottle”

AF Betafood- beets and more

Choline- thins bile

Omega 3 Fish Oils

Extra: 

Inositol, 2 capsules 500mg 3x a day

SeaBuckthorn Oil (Omega 7) (great for skin also)

Bitters (many brands to choose from, Vitanica Bitters Tonic is one suggestion).  Take about 15 minutes before meals.  Gittleman says, “Orange peel, gentian root, bitter artichoke and Angelica root are also excellent bitters. Stay away from Swedish bitters, which typically contain herbal laxatives such as rhubarb and senna.”

Eat/drink:

First thing in the morning, start your day with warm water with a splash or lemon or lime.  Use fresh or Organic Just Lemon juice.  Drink through a straw so as to not let acid hurt tooth enamel.

Beet juice or eat beets (be careful, beet juice may aggravate initially, go slow)

Bitters: Arugula, dandelion, endive

Apple cider vinegar (1 tsp to tablespoon in water before you eat)

Watercress

Grapefruit

Artichokes

Citrus zests on foods (an excuse to buy a zester!)

Limit fats dietarily:

Nuts (cashews and almonds were the worse for me)

Coconut products

Pork

Eggs

Dairy (though I did OK with butter and cream)

Nut Milks

Milk (be off milk in general)

Some say onions really aggravate, I have personally not made this connection.

Constipation makes it worse, so take Magnesium Citrate 400-600mg before bed

Read:

I have found clinically that highly sensitive and empathic people tend to have troubles with gall bladders.  What helped me learn more about my empathic design was this book

Empath’s Survival Guide- Judith Orloff, MD

For your convenience, if you desire, you may purchase products HERE

Information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a licensed physician or other healthcare professional. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider.

Bibliography

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cholestasis-of-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20363257

https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-body/puppp-rash_40008036

https://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy/your-body/cholestasis-of-pregnancy_20000158

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/what-causes-rashes-during-pregnancy-and-how-to-treat-them
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6617769/