Patient Profiles

Cheryl

Cheryl initially found it difficult to explain to her 2 sons why she has had to take a daily regimen of immunosuppressive therapy for as long as they could remember. Now older, her sons understand that their mom required a liver transplant in May 1990 after falling into a coma from what appeared to be the flu but was actually in fulminant hepatic failure. Cheryl was in the hospital for 2 months after her transplant due to multiple mild rejections, but has since done well, with high blood pressure as her only difficulty.

Cheryl was undecided about having children. Furthermore, she was unsure of her fertility because she experienced irregular menstrual cycles after the transplant. However, in the winter of 1991, Cheryl discovered she was pregnant. Her high-risk obstetrician was concerned about her elevated blood pressure, while her hepatologists were apprehensive about the possibility of organ failure. Cheryl’s mother, although elated about being a grandmother, worried that the pregnancy would jeopardize Cheryl’s good health. Her worries were put to rest in September 1992, when Cheryl delivered a healthy baby boy, Andrew. The only complication Cheryl experienced was pre-eclampsia, with induced labor and delivery by C-section.

When Cheryl found out she was pregnant again 2 years later, she felt better prepared. This time her blood pressure was controlled and she continued to have excellent liver function. In December 1994, Cheryl delivered her second son, Jared. With both children Cheryl decided she was not comfortable breastfeeding; she was concerned about exposing them to the immunosuppressant drugs she was taking. Cheryl continues to experience stable liver function, with her only complaint being slight fatigue; she does enjoy raising her 2 healthy and active young boys.

Reference and Publication Information

The United Network for Organ Sharing is committed to providing accurate and reliable information for transplant patients. To learn more about our content authorship and review process, please read about our Editorial Board.

The content on this page was originally created on August 25, 2005 by the United Network for Organ Sharing and last modified on August 25, 2005. The following sources were used as references:

Armenti, Vincent, et al. "Report from the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR): Outcomes of Pregnancy after Transplantation". 103-113.

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