Pregnancy Is Possible for Transplant Patients

Thanks to carefully coordinated care from maternal fetal medicine

Trying to conceive can be difficult for any woman but especially for transplant patients.

Kaylin Zele shared her desire to become a mother with her medical team. When the time was right following her second kidney transplant, Kaylin and her doctor decided to modify her medication routine in preparation for pregnancy.

Kaylin also made plans to meet with maternal fetal medicine (MFM) – the high-risk pregnancy team at University Hospitals.

“From the very beginning, my OBGYNs were so warm and encouraging, and realistic about the complications I could face during pregnancy like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes,” says Kaylin.

Having chronic hypertension added to Kaylin’s health risks. She began preconception care and after four months of trying, Kaylin found out she was expecting!

She met with the MFM team right away for testing. Eight weeks in to her pregnancy, Kaylin received an early diagnosis of gestational diabetes. This meant following a careful diet and meeting weekly with the MFM care coordinator to monitor her blood sugar.

Kaylin delivered a baby girl at 37 weeks and 2 days gestation. Both mom and baby are healthy and thriving!

“I truly feel I was blessed with two transplants because my story wasn’t over,” says Kaylin. “Motherhood feels like my life has just begun.”

“MFM care encompasses all the health necessities of mom and baby before, during, and after pregnancy,” says Dr. Ellie Ragsdale, MFM specialist at UH, and one of Kaylin’s physicians. “Kaylin’s story is a great example of this seamless model of care, and of the importance for caregivers to meet the unique and sometimes complicated needs of mom and baby throughout the pregnancy journey.”

Related Links

Learn more about MFM care at University Hospitals.