The pregnancy journey of a patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis: A case study

Abstract

Pregnancy in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is considered a very high-risk and is not recommended as it might cause fatal consequences for both the mother and the fetus. Even though chronic kidney disease affects the physiological components of fertility, decreasing the possibility of spontaneous conceptions, unwanted pregnancies still happen, and a small percentage of women with ESRD become pregnant. All women with kidney disease should have access to specialists in renal disease and pregnancy who can support, care for, and monitor them during their pregnancy. We reported a case of a 37-year-old primigravida who has ESRD on hemodialysis. The pregnancy journey was uneasy, but eventually she successfully passed through it. The most challenging issues to treat and manage throughout this pregnancy are anemia, the risks of eclampsia, and uncontrolled hypertension. The management of this patient requires multidisciplinary and shared care monitoring by the nephrologist, obstetrician, and primary care doctor.