Outcomes of and perspectives on pregnancy counseling among kidney transplant recipients

Abstract

Background: For individuals who have undergone organ transplants, pregnancy counseling is necessary to avoid high-risk or unwanted pregnancies. This study investigated kidney transplant recipients’ pregnancy outcomes and their requests for pregnancy information, to present future directions for pregnancy counseling. Methods: Data were collected from 65 Japanese kidney transplant recipients from 21 hospitals who had given birth after transplant. Data for 83 fetal outcomes were collected via a questionnaire and then evaluated. Pregnancy-related data were collected on factors including the provision of pregnancy information by medical staff, when the participants hoped to have a child, and request for pregnancy information. Results: Mean age at the time of transplant was 28.3 ± 4.6 years. Maternal age was 33.8 ± 3.9 years, with gestation duration of 35.3 ± 3.3 weeks and baby birth weight of 2303.8 ± 592.5 grams. A total of 83 fetal outcomes were evaluated. More than 80% of the recipients and 54% of the recipients’ partners received information from health professionals before and after kidney transplant. Drug effects on the fetus represented the pregnancy information most requested by recipients. Conclusion: Recipients requested more detailed pregnancy information even after provision of information by medical staff. Recipients indicated low satisfaction with the counseling and anxiety during pregnancy. It is especially important to explain the influence of medicines on the mother's body and the fetus. The contents of pregnancy counseling must be modified according to recipient needs, and detailed discussions are needed between medical staff and transplant recipients. Keywords: Kidney Transplant Recipient, Pregnancy, Nursing, Counseling