Any experience with pregnancy after kidney transplant?

[Hazzbaz]

hi everyone, I had my kidney transplant in April 2022 and have been given the green light by my nephrologist and transplant team that I am able to go ahead with a pregnancy. Having been through a lot medically including a bilateral nephrectomy prior to transplant, I am overwhelmed at the possibility of carrying my own child. This was something I thought I would never have the chance to do. I have Polycystic disease which also affects my liver and caused a brain aneurysm, and many severe kidney infections, disrupting my 30‘s when I would normally have liked to embark on family planning instead. I did manage to create some embryos for future use. I would love to know if there is anyone out there who can share their experience of pregnancy after transplant and would be grateful for any insights. Thank you!

[MToQ]

Just wanted to say...WOW!!!! Congratulations. And very smart planning with creating and freezing embryos. Takes a lot of pressure and stress off. Wishing you tons of success.

[Hazzbaz in reply to MToQ]

Thank you!!

[Hazzbaz in reply to MToQ]

Thank you, yes a lot of planning has had to go into this! With all the health issues nothing has been straightforward!

[Ziggydoodah]

I have no advice but just wanted to say good luck! You have overcame so much for someone so young. I wish you all the best for the next part of your life. You have got this xx

[Hazzbaz in reply to Ziggydoodah]

wow thank you so much! It gives me encouragement after quite a rough path!

[littlelinda50]

I did get pregnant after my transplant unexpectedly and I ended up having a miscarriage. I know that for me I had the miscarriage because of my transplant med and maybe because I was 50 when this happened. I do know that prior to my transplant I only had 1 kidney of my own which was working but with all my pregnancies around the 7th month and on my kidney would start to "spill" more protein than normal. My twins were the only pregnancy I gave birth early to by 2 months and my first was 2 weeks which is not early but I also was in a car accident during that pregnancies. My advice is talk with all yiur doctors and make the best decision you feel comfortable with and willing to do. Just make sure your prepared for things like bed rest. Good luck and you got this! Hugs and prayers

[Hazzbaz in reply to littlelinda50]

Sorry about your experience when you were 50, must have been very traumatic. I value your advice, thank you.

[littlelinda50 in reply to Hazzbaz]

Thank you and it was a mix of emotions. I also kept it to myself way to long which didn't help. If you have any questions about anything feel free to ask me I most likely have some advice. Hugs

[RhenDutchess123]

Don't really have any advice...just wanted to send you a hug !

[Hazzbaz in reply to RhenDutchess123]

Thank you! Hugs work too!

[Winner76]

Hi ,

I have Polycystic desease and aneurysm. I was transplanted in 2020. I had my daughter in 2012 before dialysis . And she was born at 25 weeks . It was a very scary time . I am glad that you waited until you were transplanted because you’re stronger, your blood pressure is stable . you have a great chance of having a healthy pregnancy and baby . I wish you all the best xx

[Hazzbaz in reply to Winner76]

Thank you! That must have been a very stressful and worrying time. Yes, I’m finally at a point health wise where it’s become possible for me, but I’m still nervous about it. I do question whether I should just be happy that I survived it all, and not take on the additional risk of going through a pregnancy!

[Winner76 in reply to Hazzbaz]

I get it! Myself and my husband took 4 years deciding back and forth . I wish I had done it earlier because I would have been a bit younger and the kidney desease not so advanced. I’m glad I didn’t wait until after because it took 8 years on dialysis to find me a match , I would have been too old. The doctors will go through the worst case scenarios and then you’ll decide . Or don’t decide , stay off birth control and see what happens . You’ll be nervous either way .

Keep me posted xx

[twicerecipient]

Can't share the feelings but so, so hopeful for your desired outcome. Best of luck to you !

[PKDpostTRANSPLANT]

There is a great Facebook group called pregnancy and womanhood + organ transplant. It is a private group so you'll have to answer a few questions before they will approve you. I joined when I was considering the possibility for myself and I think you'll find it informative and encouraging.

I also have PKD and a brain aneurysm and received my transplant in feb 2022! Nice to meet you and I hope the pregnancy journey goes well for you!

[Hazzbaz in reply to PKDpostTRANSPLANT]

Amazing, we are on the same timeline! I hope it’s all going smoothly for you. Where did you have your transplant done?

[Tashikat]

I too have polycystic kidney disease & had a kidney transplant 15 years ago. I give you the bravery award!! Having had a double nephrectomy …I know how traumatic the adjustment is for the body. Maybe you have researched about the chance of passing on the PKD to your offspring. Transplants are a much more common option now than many years ago, but I didn’t feel I wanted to risk having a child with my genetic predisposition. I admire your courage & wish you the very best outcome!

[LisaSnow in reply to Tashikat]

The IVF method could support a pregnancy without passing risk genetic variant to the offsprings.

[Tashikat in reply to LisaSnow]

I am not familiar with that. Good to know. I am curious how the IVF alters the genetic variant(?)

[Hazzbaz in reply to Tashikat]

It doesn’t alter genetics, but you can have embryos screened for the variant during the IVF process, and choose to transfer embryos which are free of the disease. This is quite complex and not necessarily something everyone might feel comfortable with, but a personal choice.

[Tashikat in reply to Hazzbaz]

Wow…I think its brilliant! Definitely progress is happening. Thanx for sharing!

[Hazzbaz in reply to Tashikat]

Thank you so much for your comments!

[Winner76 in reply to Tashikat]

I had one child before I even knew I had PKD , and she was diagnosed at 24 . And my second is too young to get tested. The guilt is there but as you said I’m hoping that by the time they need transplants they will be building them 🤞my PKD was not heritaru so I had no clue about this desease until I was diagnosed and my daughter was 8 .

[grace2700]

That's so exciting! I'm 15 years post transplant and have had two babies. I'm so impressed that your nephrologist and transplant team are supporting you - that truly was the hardest part for me as my nephrologists were super nervous even though my kidney was functioning well. It's definitely a process (lots of doctor visits and blood draws, but that's not really new to us as patients). Even though I did have some complications, none of them were related to my kidney disease, and all of them were managed. In the end, both my babies, my kidney, and me are all happy and healthy on the other side!

[Hazzbaz in reply to grace2700]

hello and thanks for sharing! It’s very good to read of your successful pregnancies post transplant, and reassuring too. I’m so happy for you! I feel it does take courage to trust my body after such a huge intervention, and it’s so nice to hear positive stories from those further down the line!

[Parkerbarker]

You do know pkd is hereditary and your kids most likely to ibherit it

[Hazzbaz in reply to Parkerbarker]

Indeed, a 50% chance of inheritance. I decided to have pre implantation genetic testing on my embryos, because after what I have suffered from polycystic kidney disease, I want to ensure my kids don’t have to suffer it the way I have.

[swimmings]

I had a transplant when I was 12 I didn't encounter any problems after the transplant.

I have three children with no problems to the kidney. Doctors just kept a good watch on me during my pregnancies