Pregnancy After Kidney Donation
When I decided to donate a kidney, I was a healthy woman in my early 20s with hopes of starting a family someday. I understood the risks, I asked a lot of questions, and I made my decision with both my heart and my head. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how few firsthand stories existed about pregnancy after donation.
If you’re a woman considering becoming a kidney donor—or if you’re someone simply curious about how kidney donation might impact fertility and pregnancy—I hope this post helps. I’m sharing my personal experience to shed light on what it was like, what I learned, and what I wish I had known going in. This isn’t medical advice—it’s just one story I think more women could benefit from hearing.
Why I Chose to Donate a Kidney
For me, the decision to donate a kidney came as a complete surprise. I simply logged on to Facebook one day and came across a stranger in need of a kidney transplant. At that moment, everything in me knew this was something I was supposed to do. I didn’t know the man or anything about kidney donation, but I knew I could at least see if I was eligible to donate.
After going through the initial testing, I found out I wasn’t a direct match for that person. I was then informed that I could still donate throughout a paired exchange donation through the National Kidney Registry, which would let me donate to someone else and still help the man from Facebook.
I was excited that donating was still an option. I continued with further testing and was approved as a donor. I donated my kidney to a stranger in November of 2018, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made!
That being said, I didn’t take the process of donation lightly. As a woman of childbearing age, I asked a lot of questions—about my health, long-term outcomes, and especially about what donation might mean for any future pregnancy. I was healthy, had no known fertility issues, and wanted to keep the door open to having children.
My transplant team was supportive and transparent. They explained that while donating a kidney doesn’t make pregnancy impossible, it can slightly increase the risk of certain complications, like high blood pressure or preeclampsia. I appreciated their honesty, but I also noticed how little real-world data was available—especially from other women like me who had been through both kidney donation and pregnancy.
In the end, I made the choice with clarity. I was willing to accept the possible risks, and I felt confident in my ability to manage my health moving forward.
What I Was Told About Pregnancy After Kidney Donation
Before my surgery, I made sure to bring up one question multiple times: How will this affect my ability to get pregnant and carry a healthy pregnancy? The transplant team appreciated that I was thinking ahead. They reassured me that many women have had successful pregnancies after kidney donation, but they also made it clear that there are a few extra considerations.
I learned that kidney donors typically retain excellent kidney function with one kidney, but pregnancy does put added strain on the kidneys—especially in the third trimester. The main concern is a slightly increased risk of conditions like gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. According to the research I was shown, the risk is still relatively low, but it is statistically higher compared to women with two kidneys.
The team explained that if I chose to become pregnant in the future, I would likely be monitored more closely—possibly by a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist. They also recommended waiting at least six months to one year after donation before trying to conceive, to give my body time to fully recover and establish stable kidney function.
What stood out to me most was that while the medical side of kidney donation is well-researched, there’s still limited data specifically focused on pregnancy outcomes. A lot of the information is based on small studies or retrospective reports. It made me realize how important it is for women to share their stories and for doctors to continue tracking long-term outcomes.
My Pregnancy Experience
I became pregnant with my first child four years after donating my kidney. By that point, my doctors were happy with my recovery and kidney function, and I felt ready—physically and emotionally—to begin that chapter of my life.
From the very start, my pregnancy was not considered “higher risk.” However, I made sure my OB-GYN was aware of my history as a kidney donor. She assured me that I could go on to have a very normal and healthy pregnancy, even with only one kidney. She did say they would monitor me more closely for high blood pressure, but other than that, I was treated just like any expectant mother with two kidneys.
At first, I was nervous about the changes to my body and how my body would handle it all with only one kidney. But after the reassurance of my doctor, I felt seen and supported throughout.
Thankfully, my pregnancy was mostly uneventful. My kidney function stayed stable, and my blood pressure remained within a healthy range for the entire pregnancy. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes late in my third trimester, but that was due to genetics and not my kidney donation. However, even with GD, my kidney function remained excellent and I didn’t have any other complications like preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, which are among the most talked-about risks for post-donation pregnancies. My care team was proactive in watching for them, and I felt reassured knowing they were staying ahead of any potential issues.
When the time came to deliver, at 40 weeks, six days, I had a healthy baby girl via vaginal delivery. I ended up being induced because the baby didn’t want to come on her own. Holding my baby for the first time was emotional for so many reasons, but especially because I knew I had made two incredibly meaningful choices with my body: giving life through donation and giving life through birth.
After having my daughter in 2023, I went on to have another healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby in 2025. The second time around was no different than the first and both baby boy and I are doing great!
Medical Facts I Wish More People Knew
Going through pregnancy (twice) after kidney donation taught me a lot—not just about my own body, but also about the gaps in public knowledge around this topic. Here are a few important things I wish more people understood:
1. Pregnancy after kidney donation is absolutely possible.
Many women go on to have healthy, full-term pregnancies after donating a kidney. Fertility isn’t typically affected by donation itself, and ovulation continues as normal. But because the kidneys play a vital role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance, pregnancy does carry some added complexity.
2. There is a slightly higher risk of complications—but it’s manageable.
The most common concerns are gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and in some cases, proteinuria (protein in the urine). Research shows that these risks are elevated compared to women with two kidneys, but the majority of post-donation pregnancies still result in healthy outcomes for both mother and baby.
3. You may need closer monitoring—and that’s a good thing.
Some kidney donors are followed by a high-risk OB or MFM specialist during pregnancy. You might have more frequent blood pressure checks, lab tests to monitor kidney function, and detailed ultrasounds. This extra attention is meant to catch any changes early. Although I didn’t need too much extra monitoring, the more frequent checks gave me reassurance.
4. You should advocate for yourself—even with supportive providers.
Not every OB-GYN is familiar with the nuances of pregnancy after organ donation. It’s OK to bring research with you, ask to be referred to an MFM specialist, or request labs if you feel something’s off. You know your body—and your medical history—best.
5. More data is still needed.
There’s a growing body of research on pregnancy after donation, but it’s not as robust as it should be—especially for younger donors and diverse populations. That’s why sharing stories, participating in follow-up studies, and asking questions matters. The more we talk about this, the better the care will become for future donors.
Advice to Other Women Considering Kidney Donation
If you’re a woman thinking about donating a kidney and wondering how it might affect your future pregnancy, here’s what I would tell you—woman to woman, donor to potential donor.
1. Ask every question that’s on your mind.
Don’t feel guilty for bringing up fertility or future pregnancy with your transplant team. These are valid, important questions. Ask about the data, the risks, and the timeline. Ask how many other women they’ve supported through this. Your body, your future—it all matters.
2. Wait until your body is ready.
Most transplant teams recommend waiting at least six to 12 months before trying to conceive, and I’d agree with that. Give your body time to fully heal and your kidney time to settle into its new solo job. You’ll want stable labs and normal blood pressure before adding the demands of pregnancy.
3. Build a support team you trust.
Find an OB or MFM specialist who understands kidney function and is willing to monitor you a little more closely. You want someone who listens, explains things clearly, and doesn’t dismiss your history. Don’t settle for less.
4. Know that you can do both.
You can give the gift of life through kidney donation and go on to have a healthy pregnancy. One doesn’t cancel out the other. Yes, the journey may require a little more monitoring, and yes, you’ll have to be proactive about your health—but it’s entirely possible.
5. Don’t underestimate the emotional side.
Being a donor changes you. So does pregnancy. Doing both—especially in close succession—can bring up complex emotions. Pride, gratitude, fear, joy. Give yourself space to feel it all, and talk about it if you need to. You’re not alone.
Closing Thoughts
Looking back, I have zero regrets about donating my kidney—and I have nothing but gratitude for the experience of carrying and delivering two healthy children. Both were acts of love. Both pushed me to trust my body in new ways. And both reminded me that women are capable of incredible things.
If you’re reading this because you’re considering kidney donation and you hope to become pregnant one day, I want you to know: it is possible. It may require a bit more planning, more monitoring, and more self-advocacy—but it’s within reach. You don’t have to choose between donating life and giving life.
My story is just one of many in which a kidney donor went on to have a healthy pregnancy after donating. Although no two stories are alike, I hope my story fills in some of the blanks that statistics can’t. My wish is that my story leaves you feeling that the desire to have a family someday is in reach and that it encourages you to ask bold questions, trust your instincts, and make the choice that’s right for you—whatever that looks like.
Thank you for reading, and if you’re on this journey or just starting to explore it, I’m cheering you on.