how soon after giving birth can i donate my kidney

by Dedric Shields MD 9 min read

Yes. Many women have had babies after donating a kidney without any impact on the pregnancy from the kidney donation. In general, women may choose to wait until they have completed their family before becoming a living donor. This is for practical as well as health reasons.

Is it safe to have a baby after kidney donation?

The complications from kidney donation can be divided into those arising immediately from the surgery (including allergic reaction to anaesthesia, pneumonia, blood clot in the blood vessels of legs or lungs and wound or urinary tract infection) and those that emerge many years after the kidney was donated.

How old do you have to be to donate a kidney?

On average, donors have 25-35% permanent loss of kidney function after surgery. It is important to recognize that there are risks with any type of surgery, which the transplant team will explain to you in detail. Some of these include: Pain, feeling tired, hernia, blood clots, pneumonia, nerve injury, bowel obstruction.

How long will I be in the hospital after kidney donation?

Jan 23, 2018 · Donating a kidney doesn’t change your ability to get pregnant. Donating a kidney may make you more likely to have problems during pregnancy than women who haven’t donated a kidney, but most women who get pregnant after donating have no problems with their pregnancy. The most common problem is preeclampsia, which is a type of high blood ...

Is living kidney donation right for You?

When you only have one kidney, there's a greater chance of long-term issues like high blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about the possible problems …

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Can I donate a kidney after pregnancy?

While it is ideal if women have completed planned childbearing prior to kidney donation, the generally good outcomes in post-donation pregnancies should not exclude donors who have not completed childbearing. Women may value existing risk information differently in their donation decision.

What would disqualify you from donating a kidney?

As a general rule, you should be 18 years or older . You must also have normal kidney function . There are some medical conditions that could prevent you from being a living donor . These include having uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, or acute infections .

How long does a kidney donor take to recover?

You'll probably still have some discomfort for the next week or two, but you'll get a prescription for pain medication to keep you comfortable. Full recovery takes time. You should expect to lay low for at least a month after you donate. You may need 6 to 8 weeks to fully heal.Nov 19, 2020

Can a female donate kidney to male?

Conclusions. Our results suggested gender matching for kidney transplant. Only in some exceptional conditions, male donor to female recipient kidney transplant may be successful and female donors to male recipients are not suggested, especially in aged patients with the history of dialysis.Jan 6, 2020

Who is the best match for a kidney transplant?

The best match for the recipient is to have 12 out of s12antigen match. (This is known as a zero mismatch.) It is possible for all 12 markers to match, even with an unrelated deceased donor organ, if the patient has a very common HLA type.

How painful is it to donate a kidney?

After leaving the hospital, the donor will typically feel tenderness, itching and some pain as the incision continues to heal. Generally, heavy lifting is not recommended for about six weeks following surgery. It is also recommended that donors avoid contact sports where the remaining kidney could be injured.

Is donating a kidney major surgery?

For the kidney recipient, the risk of transplant surgery is usually low because it is a potentially lifesaving procedure. But kidney donation surgery can expose a healthy person to the risk of and recovery from unnecessary major surgery. Immediate, surgery-related risks of donor nephrectomy include: Pain.May 14, 2021

Is it hard to donate a kidney?

You have to be strong enough to make it through surgery and anesthesia. And you have to have two kidneys to begin with: "You might be walking around with one kidney and not know it, since some people are born with only one," Vassalotti says. Although that issue is somewhat rare, you'll need an imaging test to find out.Nov 12, 2018

What are the psychological effects of donation?

While extensive data on these issues is lacking, some studies have reported the following psychological outcomes: 1 Less than 1% regretted the decision 2 3 to 10% reported depression 3 10% reported "family conflicts" 4 7% reported anxiety disorders 5 16% concerned about negative financial consequences of donation 6 3 to 15% concerned about a negative impact on their health

Can you live with only one kidney?

People can live normal lives with only one kidney. As long as the donor is evaluated thoroughly and cleared for donation, he or she can lead a normal life after the surgery. When the kidney is removed, the single normal kidney will increase in size to compensate for the loss of the donated kidney. Physical exercise is healthy and good for you.

Who Can I Give My Kidney To?

You can donate a kidney to a family member or friend who needs one. You can also give it to someone you don't know. Doctors call this a “nondirected” donation, in which case you might decide to meet the person you donate to, or choose to stay anonymous. Either way, doctors will give your kidney to the person who needs it most and is the best match.

Am I Healthy Enough to Donate a Kidney?

Your doctor will do some tests to find out for sure. They’ll check your blood and urine, and may also do an ultrasound or take X-rays of your kidneys. You may not be able to donate if you have medical issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

What Happens After Surgery?

Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage your pain. They’ll also want you to get up and start moving around shortly afterward.

How Can I Donate?

If you want to give your kidney to a friend or family member, talk to the doctor at the transplant center. You'll start taking tests to see if you're a match.

How long after kidney transplant can you see a doctor?

Taber, MD, the medical director for kidney transplantation at Indiana University Health. You should also see your doctor at least once a year.

How to get rid of kidneys?

More than two to three drinks a day can damage your kidney and increase your risk of problems like high blood pressure. Stop smoking (or don’t start). It damages all of your organs, including your kidneys. Mind your meds.

Can you donate kidneys after surgery?

Donating a kidney is no small thing. Even so, you don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle after surgery. “You need to be in good health in order to donate. So a lot of the steps you took to get healthy are the same steps that will help you stay that way,” says Susan Hou, MD. One should know: In addition to serving as a transplant nephrologist ...

Can kidneys be healthy?

But nutrient-rich foods will help you keep your weight in check and lower your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. That, in turn, will keep your kidney healthy. Some doctors think kidney donors should avoid eating too much protein, especially from protein powder or supplements.

Is kidney transplant surgery invasive?

Most kidney donation surgeries are what doctors call minimally invasive. They require a few small cuts. That makes recovery faster and less painful than it would be with open surgery and a large cut in your body.

How long after donating a kidney can you get pregnant?

Still, women should wait one year after donating a kidney before they get pregnant. This gives your body plenty of time to heal. 9. You can talk to someone who's donated before. Our living kidney donor program can help you speak with someone from our program who has donated a kidney.

How old do you have to be to be a living kidney donor?

If you’d like to be a living kidney donor, are healthy, and are between the ages of 18–69, contact a member of our living kidney donor team. Remember, living kidney donation saves lives.

Is it safe to donate a kidney?

Living kidney donation is safe. If you are healthy, donating a kidney won’t make you more likely to get sick or have major health problems. Like any surgery, the procedure does have some risks. But overall, living kidney donation is safe. In most cases, donating a kidney will not not raise your risk of kidney disease, diabetes, ...

What happens after donating blood?

After donating, your remaining kidney will take on the work of both kidneys. 5. Your blood and tissue type must be compatible with your recipient’s. Besides being healthy, living donors must have compatible blood and tissue types with the kidney recipient.

How long do you have to stay in the hospital after kidney transplant?

Your hospital stay will be short and you can get back to work fairly quickly. Most living kidney donors stay in the hospital for five to 10 days. Depending on what you do for work, you can return to work as soon as two weeks or as late as eight weeks after your surgery.

Can you donate kidneys to someone?

3. You don’t have to be related to someone to donate a kidney to them. In fact, one in four living organ donors is not biologically related to the recipient (the person who receives a donated organ).

What tests are needed for a transplant?

Some tests you will have include: blood tests, urine tests, imaging exams, and. cancer screenings.

How many kidneys were transplanted in 2016?

And in 2016, nearly 30 percent of the more than 19,000 kidneys transplanted in the U.S. came from living kidney donors such as Raisa – people with two healthy kidneys who voluntarily have one removed to transplant in someone whose kidneys have failed.

Why did Selena Gomez get a kidney transplant?

Pop singer Selena Gomez revealed personal news in mid-September 2017 that shocked her fans: The 25-year-old had recently received a kidney transplant due to complications of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. And the donor?

Can anyone donate a kidney?

But not just anyone can donate a kidney. Stringent screening is required, and potential donors often have a lot of questions about their eligibility and how donation will affect their health in the future. Let’s go through some of the frequently asked questions, as well as risk factors and benefits of living kidney donation.

Is it safe to donate a kidney?

And living kidney donation is incredibly safe for donors – fewer than 1 percent of donors will wind up on dialysis themselves in the future, which is only slightly higher than the average risk of an individual with two healthy kidneys. But not just anyone can donate a kidney.

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Treatment

  • The length of stay in the hospital will vary depending on the individual donor's rate of recovery and the type of procedure performed (traditional vs laparoscopic kidney removal) although the usual stay is 4 to 6 days. Since the rate of recovery varies greatly among individuals, be sure to ask the transplant center for their estimate of your particular recovery time.
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Prognosis

  • People can live normal lives with only one kidney. As long as the donor is evaluated thoroughly and cleared for donation, he or she can lead a normal life after the surgery. When the kidney is removed, the single normal kidney will increase in size to compensate for the loss of the donated kidney.
See more on kidney.org

Prevention

  • Physical exercise is healthy and good for you. However, it's important for someone with only one kidney to be careful and protect it from injury. Some doctors think it is best to avoid contact sports like football, boxing, hockey, soccer, martial arts, or wrestling. Wearing protective gear such as padded vests under clothing can help protect the kidney from injury during sports. This can h…
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Risks

  • Living donation does not change life expectancy, and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure. In general, most people with a single normal kidney have few or no problems; however, you should always talk to your transplant team about the risks involved in donation. Some studies report that living donors may have a greater chance of developing high blood pres…
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Criticism

  • However, concerns about the recipient's outcome (as well as the donor's recovery) can contribute to feelings of anxiety, and may donors report a feeling of \"let down\" afterwards. Feelings of depression among living donors are not uncommon, even when both donor and recipient are doing well.
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Effects

  • While extensive data on these issues is lacking, some studies have reported the following psychological outcomes:
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Results

  • You will also have a scar from the donor operation- the size and location of the scar will depend on the type of operation you have. After donation you should be able to go back to a regular, healthy lifestyle. If you are in good health, there will probably not be any specific dietary restrictions. Talk with your transplant team about your specific dietary needs.
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Contraindications

  • Pregnancy after donation is possible but is usually not recommended for at least six months after the donation surgery. Living donors should talk to their ob/gyn and transplant team before getting pregnant about pregnancy and make sure that they have good pre-natal care.
See more on kidney.org