Able to have a baby with one kidney?

[habeebajg]

Hi.

I am 27, but when I was 19 I found out that I was in kidney failure because my ureter tube never developed when I was born. I had urter pevlic junction obstruction and it has been repaired with half a synthetic tube.  Long story short, as a result of this condition going undetected for 19 years both my kidneys were damaged.  I still have both my kidneys in me.  My left kidney functions at 43% and the right one functions at 57%. Another result is I also use the washroom all the time (about every 30 minutes).   I have always dreamed of having children.

My questions are:
Will I be able to have a child with my kidney problem?
What will happen to my kidneys after I give birth (will pregnancy damage my kidneys more)?
Will I have to have a c-section as the pushing during labour might be hard on my kidneys?

Thank you so much.
J

[WhatYouMakeMe]

Poor thing, I have health issues too so I kinda understand.  I don't know the answers to your questions cause its so rare, so all I can says is to ask the doctors who handle you in this situation.  I hope someone else can post and give you better answers, I'll be praying for you and I hope it all works out.  Take care

[peekawho]

Consult with a high risk perinatologist long before attempting a pregnancy.  If you are considering pregnancy, NOW would be the time to get the consult and get knowledgable answers to your question.

The pushing during labor is not the concern.  The strain that a pregnancy may put on your kidneys is the major concern.   The kidneys will have to do a lot of extra work during the entire pregnancy, and whether they can do this without you going into complete renal failure is the big question.

Only a medical specialist can help you know what the right decision may be.  Many women with renal problems can have children.  Some are better advised not to risk it.  

Best of luck.

[SeeingSpots]

I too don't have an answer for your specific case, but I can tell you that my sister had 3 healthy children with only one kidney!  She never even knew it until the last child was born (via c-section) and had some unrelated problems.  It was then that they discovered that she was born with only one kidney (a genetic condition known as "renal agenesis").  During my latest pregnancy I had to see a genetic counselor because of my age, and when they discovered that my sister had this problem they said that it could run in the family so they wanted to make sure I had both, because they say that having only one kidney does make your pregnancy "high risk".  (I already knew I had both, as I previously had a cat scan due to getting bucked off a horse years ago.)

Definitely take Peek's advice and see a specialist BEFORE you start trying.  They will be able to give you a honest oppinion of the risks.

Take care.

[habeebajg]

Thank you everyone for your kinds words and advice.

I talked to my urologist and he said that I should be fine.  When I talk to my general doctor she says the exact opposite.  So it is frustrating to me.  Maybe I do need to talk to a perinatologist before I get pregnant.  

Thanks again!
J