The clinic combines the expertise of a consultant obstetrician who specialises in maternal medicine, a consultant nephrologist who specialises in kidney disease and pregnancy and senior midwives.
For some women with kidney disease and kidney transplants, planning a pregnancy together with careful monitoring during pregnancy can give the best chance of a healthy and successful pregnancy. Complications occur more often in patients with kidney conditions and high blood pressure and the chances of these developing increases with lower levels of kidney function and are higher with some diseases than others.
Some kidney conditions are genetic which means there is a risk they can be passed onto a baby. Not all medicines used to treat kidney diseases are safe in pregnancy. This clinic is an opportunity to discuss risks and concerns in detail. ‘Pre-pregnancy counselling’ is strongly encouraged.
Women with kidney disease who are pregnant are advised that their antenatal care should be based in a hospital clinic with specialists who are familiar with the problems which may arise. They can also continue to see their community midwives.
The obstetric medicine clinic provides specialist antenatal care which includes assessment of general well being, blood pressure and urine checks, blood tests and scans of the baby at around 13 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. Kidney function and any protein in the urine are regularly monitored. Additional scans of the baby and placenta may be advised and plans about delivery of the baby can be made.
What you can expect
You will be asked to provide a urine sample for testing and your weight, height and blood pressure will be recorded by the clinic staff before your consultation. You may be seen by the midwife as well as the doctors. You may have blood tests and a scan of your baby.
Please bring a list of your medicines with you. A detailed letter will be sent to your GP and you will be asked if you would like a copy for your records.
