Re: Pregnancy and Iga Nephropathy

[Guest guest]

Here is a little bit of what I experienced with IGA & being pregnant. I have

had 4 babies. During my first pregnancy my O. B. would often comment that I

had a high protein output but blew it off. During my second pregnancy (with a

new O. B.) I was told that I have kidney disease but would have to wait until I

gave birth to have a biopsy to see which disease I had. Well, I didn't end up

having the biopsy until after my 4th child (2 years later) That is when I was

told I have IGA. The only difference with being pregnant while having IGA was

I had high blood pressure & was considered " high risk " I was watched very

closely & had to see a Maternal-fetal Specialist in addition to my O. B. I had

extra ultrasounds & my labor was induced early with each baby. They are all

healthy & had no lasting effects from the IGA. But having them did speed up the

loss of kidney function for me. I was averaging a loss of about 5% function per

year before I was pregnant but with each baby I lost about15% function & am

now on dialysis. My Nephroligist says that I may have had another 5 years

without dialysis if I had not had my children, but of course I would NOT trade

them

in for 5 more years w/o dialysis. It's a personal decision that every woman

has to make on her own. If you want to ask anything else I's be glad to help in

any way I can Good luck!

Mia

PS I am now 29 and had my kids when I was 18,19,20 & 21

[Guest guest]

Mia

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am glad you children are

all healthy.

Christa

-- In iga-nephropathy , mia909two@c... wrote:

> Here is a little bit of what I experienced with IGA & being

pregnant. I have

> had 4 babies. During my first pregnancy my O. B. would often

comment that I

> had a high protein output but blew it off. During my second

pregnancy (with a

> new O. B.) I was told that I have kidney disease but would have to

wait until I

> gave birth to have a biopsy to see which disease I had. Well, I

didn't end up

> having the biopsy until after my 4th child (2 years later) That is

when I was

> told I have IGA. The only difference with being pregnant while

having IGA was

> I had high blood pressure & was considered " high risk " I was watched

very

> closely & had to see a Maternal-fetal Specialist in addition to my

O. B. I had

> extra ultrasounds & my labor was induced early with each baby. They

are all

> healthy & had no lasting effects from the IGA. But having them did

speed up the

> loss of kidney function for me. I was averaging a loss of about 5%

function per

> year before I was pregnant but with each baby I lost about15%

function & am

> now on dialysis. My Nephroligist says that I may have had another 5

years

> without dialysis if I had not had my children, but of course I would

NOT trade them

> in for 5 more years w/o dialysis. It's a personal decision that

every woman

> has to make on her own. If you want to ask anything else I's be glad

to help in

> any way I can Good luck!

> Mia

> PS I am now 29 and had my kids when I was 18,19,20 & 21

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, Christa

I don't have much to add to what I've already provided about pregnancy on

www.igan.ca<http://www.igan.ca/> , but I think you will find that most mothers

with IgAN have had successful pregnancies, in fact, just about all of them that

we hear about on this group. Of course, higher risk does mean higher risk, and

things can happen - but it would certainly be worth discussing with your doctor.

Pierre

Pregnancy and Iga Nephropathy

Hello

I was diagnosed with Iga Nephropathy several months ago and am new to

the support group. Ironically, I have been working with dialysis

patients for the past 5 years as a Registered Dietitan.

My immediate concern is pregnancy. I was wondering if any other

females have had success stories to share or advice. My labs indicate

that I have the " initial " stage of the disease. My hypertension is

under control with medication, however, it is contraindicated in

pregnancy. Before I discuss my hopes for a second child with my

Nephrologist, I would love any insight.

Christa

[Guest guest]

Hi Christa,

Welcome to the group. I think you are our first dietitian so we are very

happy to have you on board.

If you are in the early stages of IgAN, you may be able to have a successful

pregnancy. I had two pregnancies with IgAN and although I did spill more

protein and have problems with edema, I had two healthy girls. It would be a

good

idea to discuss pregnancy with your Nephrologist, and it would also be

advisable to be followed as a high risk pregnancy should you decide to go ahead.

I did lose minimal renal function with my pregnancies, but my " baby " is now

20 years old and I am still not on dialysis.

I wish you all the best in your decision, and welcome again.

[Guest guest]

Hi Christa! I personally decided against having children. I was 23

when I was diagnosed with IgA, and had my tubes tied at age 28. My

IgA case was pretty advanced by the time they found it - very high

microscopic protenuria and hematuria, as well as my kidney already

being scarred and very high BP. I have to take 3 BP meds a day to

control my BP, and they are all toxic to pregnancy.

I just decided that, for myself, not putting my body and kidneys

(plus a baby) through the strain of a high-risk pregnancy was the way

to go. I've read about so many women with kidney disease that went

ahead and had babies, but went on dialysis soon after. I got

opinions from SEVERAL specialists - ob-gyns, my regular doc, my

nephrologist - before making my decision, and they ALL said it would

be best NOT to put my body through a pregnancy.

It was the choice that best fit my lifestyle as well, as I'm very

physically active and love to travel.....and my boyfriend doesn't

have or want kids either, so it's working out just fine for me. I

still have my doggies and they are my " babies " . : )

Good luck in your decision!

Teri in Texas

> Hello

>

> I was diagnosed with Iga Nephropathy several months ago and am new

to

> the support group. Ironically, I have been working with dialysis

> patients for the past 5 years as a Registered Dietitan.

>

> My immediate concern is pregnancy. I was wondering if any other

> females have had success stories to share or advice. My labs

indicate

> that I have the " initial " stage of the disease. My hypertension is

> under control with medication, however, it is contraindicated in

> pregnancy. Before I discuss my hopes for a second child with my

> Nephrologist, I would love any insight.

>

> Christa

[Guest guest]

Christa, you and I have a lot in common. I work in dialysis as well.

I too am wanting to have a second child and am asking the same

questions though I have not formally been diagnosed with IgA. I go in

for my biopsy Tuesday. So far what I have found out is that pregnancy

is a risk no matter what and it may but additional stress on the

kidneys. However, and this is what I am hopefull about, if your blood

pressure is under control and your regular labs are normal you may be

able to have a healthy baby. Please let me know what you find out. I

plan on talking with my neph about this topic a lot! - Shara

> Hello

>

> I was diagnosed with Iga Nephropathy several months ago and am new

to

> the support group. Ironically, I have been working with dialysis

> patients for the past 5 years as a Registered Dietitan.

>

> My immediate concern is pregnancy. I was wondering if any other

> females have had success stories to share or advice. My labs

indicate

> that I have the " initial " stage of the disease. My hypertension is

> under control with medication, however, it is contraindicated in

> pregnancy. Before I discuss my hopes for a second child with my

> Nephrologist, I would love any insight.

>

> Christa

[Guest guest]

Hi Christa,

Everyone here has given you great advice regarding pregnancy with IgAN so I

will just add my Welcome to the group! I'm sorry you have reason to be here but

I'm glad you found us. I wish you the best of luck if you decide to have a

second child....remember adoption is always an option to bring love to a child.

Welcome again,

Amy

Pregnancy and Iga Nephropathy

Hello

I was diagnosed with Iga Nephropathy several months ago and am new to

the support group. Ironically, I have been working with dialysis

patients for the past 5 years as a Registered Dietitan.

My immediate concern is pregnancy. I was wondering if any other

females have had success stories to share or advice. My labs indicate

that I have the " initial " stage of the disease. My hypertension is

under control with medication, however, it is contraindicated in

pregnancy. Before I discuss my hopes for a second child with my

Nephrologist, I would love any insight.

Christa

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[Guest guest]

On pregnancy and igan, I gave birth to my daughter (19 months) a few months

before my biopsy confirmed igan, and my story is similar to some others

here. During the pregnancy I had moderate protein spillage (2-3g/day) and I

was induced a month early. I had high blood pressure throughout the

pregnancy and did not respond at all to aldomet/methyldopa, which is the

usual bp med of choice in pregnancy, and the OB blew it off because at that

point I hadn't been diagnosed with anything. The pregnancy doesn't seem to

have hurt my kidney function as it is still about 100%, though I do still

have 2-3g/day protein spillage when not on ACE inhibitors or ARBs.

I plan to have one or two more kids and my neph has said that it's important

that I'd see a high risk doctor throughout and keep my bp better controlled

than the first time. Two nephs have advised me that it's a good idea to get

my childbearing done in the next few years, because the longer you wait the

greater your odds of progression in the disease which leads to more

complications and risks for you and your baby.

--KD

[Guest guest]

Christa,

I was semi-diagnosed with IGAN about 11 years ago. I still have not

had a biopsy. I have gross hematuria whenever I have a cold/virus. I

have had the hematuria for about 16 years now. My blood pressure is

low, but I am on Avapro to prevent kidney damage. I went off the

Avapro before trying to get pregnant. My protein spillage went from

300mg-1g a day to zero during pregnancy. My blood pressure dropped to

the 90's over 60's. I've never been healthier.

I was on heparin during pregnancy because of miscarriages.

My baby is now 13 months old and very healthy. My kidney function is

still 100%. Creatine .7/.8 normally.

Good luck,

Diane

> Hello

>

> I was diagnosed with Iga Nephropathy several months ago and am new to

> the support group. Ironically, I have been working with dialysis

> patients for the past 5 years as a Registered Dietitan.

>

> My immediate concern is pregnancy. I was wondering if any other

> females have had success stories to share or advice. My labs indicate

> that I have the " initial " stage of the disease. My hypertension is

> under control with medication, however, it is contraindicated in

> pregnancy. Before I discuss my hopes for a second child with my

> Nephrologist, I would love any insight.

>

> Christa

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

Congratulations on your successful pregnancy. What a blessing your 13 month

old must be :-)

I am very happy you were able to get through pregnancy with your function

doing so well. May it continue for many years to come!

In a message dated 9/16/2004 11:24:58 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

elliottsmommy03@... writes:

> Christa,

>

> I was semi-diagnosed with IGAN about 11 years ago. I still have not

> had a biopsy. I have gross hematuria whenever I have a cold/virus. I

> have had the hematuria for about 16 years now. My blood pressure is

> low, but I am on Avapro to prevent kidney damage. I went off the

> Avapro before trying to get pregnant. My protein spillage went from

> 300mg-1g a day to zero during pregnancy. My blood pressure dropped to

> the 90's over 60's. I've never been healthier.

>

> I was on heparin during pregnancy because of miscarriages.

>

> My baby is now 13 months old and very healthy. My kidney function is

> still 100%. Creatine .7/.8 normally.

>

> Good luck,

>

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

Diane,

I am so happy you had a successful pregnancy story to share. I am

going to discuss pregnancy with my neph this November in hopes to

become pregnant next spring. I will be 30 years old and only want one

more child if possible. I hope he gives me the green light to go

ahead. My last creatinine was .9 and my GFR was 90. I still have

chronic microscopic hematuria and gross hemturia during infections.

I remember when I was pregnant (1 1/2 years ago) I also experienced

very low blood pressures similar to yours. That was before my

presumed diagnosis post partum. I am taking an ACE inhibitor right

now which is contraindicated in pregnancy so I wonder if my doctor

will recommend no blood pressure meds given my history or switch me to

one that is safer in pregnancy.

Did you have to see a perinatologist or did your regular OB see you,

if so were they familiar with IGAN?

Christa

> Hi Diane,

>

> Congratulations on your successful pregnancy. What a blessing your

13 month

> old must be :-)

>

> I am very happy you were able to get through pregnancy with your

function

> doing so well. May it continue for many years to come!

>

>

>

> In a message dated 9/16/2004 11:24:58 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

> elliottsmommy03@y... writes:

>

> > Christa,

> >

> > I was semi-diagnosed with IGAN about 11 years ago. I still have

not

> > had a biopsy. I have gross hematuria whenever I have a

cold/virus. I

> > have had the hematuria for about 16 years now. My blood pressure

is

> > low, but I am on Avapro to prevent kidney damage. I went off the

> > Avapro before trying to get pregnant. My protein spillage went

from

> > 300mg-1g a day to zero during pregnancy. My blood pressure

dropped to

> > the 90's over 60's. I've never been healthier.

> >

> > I was on heparin during pregnancy because of miscarriages.

> >

> > My baby is now 13 months old and very healthy. My kidney function

is

> > still 100%. Creatine .7/.8 normally.

> >

> > Good luck,

> >

> > Diane

> >

>

>

>

>