Pregnancy in end‐stage kidney disease: Great news that needs to be handled carefully

Abstract

AbstractCompared to women with normal kidney function, women with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) are much less likely to become pregnant, but more likely to have a complicated pregnancy. While renal transplantation remains the best option for women who desire to have a child, pregnancy on dialysis should be considered an option for those who may not receive a transplant during their reproductive years. Many physicians do not encounter a pregnant patient with ESKD during their nephrology training, and may not feel prepared to provide care for such patients in a busy practice. In this paper, we briefly provide an overview of the most significant practical points related to management of a pregnant patient with ESKD through a real‐life case with twin pregnancy. The two key elements in management of these patients would be an intensified hemodialysis regimen and a multidisciplinary team that can provide frequent, regular, and multifaceted assessments.