Q&A: I am 14 weeks pregnant and have gall stones.

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I am 14 weeks pregnant and have gall stones. I have recently read that a pregnant women should have 60 grams of fat a day for the healthy development of the baby, but if I have more than 20 grams a day (sometimes even less than that) I have a great deal of pain. Is it ok to consume less fat while pregnant if I can't handle the additional fat? Also, I'm very overweight and have lost 23 pounds since being diagnosed with the gall stones two months ago. I'm afraid that I'll continue to lose weight instead of gain with the drastic fat reduction.

Your baby usually takes what he or she needs and leaves the rest for you, so if serial ultrasound measurements of your baby are on time, you're probably O.K. If you're considering getting your gall bladder removed, the second trimester is the best time for this, although this shouldn't happen unless it's necessary. (Laparoscopy is harmless to the baby, but any surgery is a risk to you.)

If your doctor's satisfied with adequate growth of your baby, everything should be fine.

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