Well, the good news is that it is not contractions causing my pain.
The bad news is that there is a reason and it will most likely require surgery.
I have gall bladder stones. Lovely.
Apparently, this happens to about 2 - 4 % of pregnant women. Gee, guess I am not quite done taking that statistical bullet. Although this is one that I will take gladly, since it doesn't negatively impact the pregnancy - beyond my discomfort, that is.
Fortunately, I am close to term and my doctor does not believe that the stones are infected. So, the surgery does not have to be done now, it can wait for Little Man's arrival. Or, if they suspect that the stones have become infected or the pain becomes intolerable, we can induce delivery as early as next weekend.
The ugly part of it all is that many women in my shoes choose to deliver via c-section. Kind of One Stop Shopping Deal. "Hey, Doc, while you are in there. . . " I wonder if they can do the same type of deal with cellulite?
I am not opposed to a c-section, necessarily, it just brings about some decision-making. Guess I have some time. The doctor did prescribe me pain meds to deal with the discomfort, but so far, I haven't wanted to take any. Now that I know the cause of the pain, it doesn't seem as bad.
The best news of all: I got a quick peek at Little Man. I wasn't supposed to, but the tech felt sorry for me, being hugely pregnant and in discomfort, so she let me have a quick peek. He looks so perfect and so very handsome. I can't wait to meet him!
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26 comments:
Yay! I kept checking back today to see if there was any news. Soooo glad it's just gallstones and that they look ok for now.
About the cellulite - I tried talking my RE into a belly tuck while she was digging around during my lap and she said no. Hateful woman *grin*
It's SO exciting when you get this close to the pregnancy finish line!! When I was pregnant with Will, my one year old son, the last few weeks seemed to drag and I just wanted him out so I could meet him.
Gall bladder stones don't sound like much fun:( But as long as the pain isn't overbearing, it's not as bad.
Would you consider an epidural during the birth? Personally I had one because I'm a big pain wuss!!!
That does sound quite painful, I am sorry you are still taking that bullet
I had my gall bladder out almost two years ago. I have battled gallstones. They aren't fun. Try and stay away from fatty foods, nothing fried, avoid red meat and I hope they leave you alone for a while. If you have any questions, I am more than willing to answer them.
I am so sorry to hear about the gallstones. I know how painful they can be. Be careful and make sure that they monitor you repeatedly so that you don't have one of the stones move into a duct or develop pancreatitis.
Wouldn't it be nice if this all could just be easy like it seems for everyone else? ;)
What a nice tech!!! If I were a sonographer I'd have given you a peek too!
Anyway, I slit my thumb clear open, severing nerves, when I was pregnant. They gave me pain meds but I refused to take them and was in excrutiating pain. So I totally understand your stance on that!
If I were in your position I'd try for vaginal delivery unless a c-sec was absolutely necessary. That's just me, though!
Oh my god!! Guess who just got her gallbladder removed on Sunday?? ME!!!
I had been having horrible "gas" attacks, after the 3rd one in 4 days I drove my ass to the ER, and 12 hours later out came the gallbladder. Thanks pregnancy :)
I hope they can do a 2 for 1 deal. Its really not bad. I had 40-50 little stones...so they were able to take it out lapriscopicly (sp?). 4 little incisions...sure beats the c-section scar!
Good luck :))))
Awww, I'm sorry. :( Gallstones are awful! I AM glad that they found the cause of your pain and that there is a solution, even if it's a little further down the road. Yay for getting another peek at the little guy!
Crap. My friend has gallstones with her 2nd pregnancy, and a little while after her daughter was born ended up having her gallbladder removed. Sorry you have to take the bullet again hon. God knows you've had your fair share (probably more).
no fun! The end of pregnancy is uncomfortable enough without adding friggin gallstones. How exciting though that you're so near the end...or actually the beginning of life with your little guy.
Oh, man! That stinks!
Hang in there, you are definitely in the home stretch.
i wondered if it was gall stones based on your previous post. i had my gall bladder removed a month after Noah was born. it was pretty easy surgery and recovery. i had terrible gall stone pains throughout my pregnancy and was able to deliver vaginally with an awesome epidural.
good luck.
amy
dancingwithinfertility.blogspot.com
Ahh, yep - been there done that, too! I had surgery just a few months after having B. And they tried and couldn't do it laparoscopically, so they had to go open and I have a big frankenstein scar.
If you haven't had a severe 'attack' yet, count your lucky stars.. because I spent many night on the shower floor (ALL NIGHT) and in the ER - BEGGING to die. That's how bad it was. So if yours is only mildly annoying, then I hope it stays that way! If you REALLY cut out oily/fried foods, it will help a lot.
I should have added that I also 'threw' a stone over to my Pancreas, developed severe Pancreatitis, and spent a week in ICU that I don't remember a wink of - except that the chaplain came to see me and asked if I had found God. So it must have been bad ;o).
Oh no!!! I had a girlfriend who had the exact same thing, gallstones, and she didn't know about hers until after she delivered her daughter... about 3 days after they got home she said she thought she was going in to labour again and had no idea what was wrong. I am so glad they found them and can treat you accordingly.
I cannot believe you are so close, seriously. When did you get so far along?!?! How exciting... I am just twiddling my thumbs waiting for the first photo of your baby boy!!
*hugs*
Sounds horrible...that pain on top of being very pregnant. I came across your blog from another one...I am due just about the same time you are, but I'm having twins. I think they should do the tummy tuck at the same time as the c-section...I mean, why not? Keep feeling good and use those pain meds!
Oh, no! I know surgery isn't easy, but I hope this goes as easily and painlessly as it can. And it is good that you can wait until after Little Man's arrival.
Bah, gallstones suck! I had them when I was 19-20, and they took my gallbladder out at that point. It was an easy surgery that was done through 4 tiny holes, laproscopically (or however you spell that!). Good luck with everything! I just remember the pain feeling like I was being stabbed in the back and having someone twist the knife. I hope you can hang in there!
The gallbladder surgery itself is easy. A small incision at your navel, three smaller ones along the bottom, right edge of your ribcage. A good doctor will make sure to push as much of the gas out of you as possible before closing you up, which helps with the recovery. What problems I had with the surgery are rather unique to me...allergies and such. Within five days, I was on a plane headed for Thanksgiving with the family.
Sorry you have to go through with this. I hope you get a break from the gall bladder.
Oh no - I'm sorry about the gallstones (although I'm glad it is nothing more serious!). Not too much longer until you meet your little man, whether vaginally or by c-section! :)
Crap, that sucks. But yay that you're not in labour yet and that you got to see him:-)
So sorry about the gallstones, but thank goodness it wasn't something more serious. I hope your pain subsides a little and you're able to have the delivery you want.
Yay for getting a peak at the little one. Boo for gallstones. Yay for the pain being bearable, though!
I'd so skip the c-section if I could and try the laprascopic way. My Mom had her gall bladder removed ages ago laproscopically and did wonderfully with it (and it was so freaking cool watching the video!!!).
You're in my thoughts and prayers!
Stopping through from Mel's Lost and Found... sorry that you're dealing with this. I had my gall bladder out back in April after having dealt with what I didn't know were gallstones for almost ten years. Best decision I ever (finally) made.
The surgery part sucks, so hold off as long as you can. You really do have some post surgical pain- I've never had a c-section (or a baby at all, yet), but I can't imagine that having your gall bladder out at the same time as a c-section is a good idea, recovery-wise. I took a solid 2 weeks to recover, and I still have incision-site pain on occasion.
I definitely agree with the above advice regarding avoiding fatty foods- just avoid anything that's tough to digest in general, 'cos that's when your gall bladder tries to pump out the concentrated bile, and if you have stones, that can cause them to go up and block the duct (which is what causes your pain).
Ah, I totally feel for you. At least it wasn't something more serious, but still- broken gall bladders SUCK!
Yikes that sounds painful. I hope the pain doesn't worsen. Hang in there, you are so close now to meeting little man in person!
I am sorry to hear about the gallstones - but so glad it isn't negatively impacting your pregnancy. And how nice of that tech to let you get a peak at your Little Man!
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