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Baby boy for woman in double transplant
Sophie Goodchild and Anna Davis10.10.08
A woman who had a double organ transplant has defied the odds to become a mother, the Standard can reveal today.
Emma Smith, 37, feared she may be infertile because of the side-effects of her anti-rejection drugs.
But last week, the former secretary from Hitchin in Hertfordshire gave birth without complications to her first child 6lb baby Oliver.
She is the first woman in Britain to deliver a child by Caesarean section after receiving donor kidneys and a pancreas.
Her transplant operation was performed by leading surgeon Professor Nadey Hakim from St Mary's Hospital in London. The president of the International College of Surgeons, said: "This is extremely significant because there's always a risk that immuno-suppressant drugs will damage the foetus.
"And to have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby when you've had diabetes and a double transplant is fantastic."
Ms Smith, who lives with her boyfriend, a tree-surgeon, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 11. The condition meant her pancreas was unable to produce the hormone insulin and she had to have daily injections.
Her organs also gradually began to deteriorate and she had the kidney and pancreas transplant five years ago,
It was only later that she learned the immuno-suppressant drugs, which she must take for life, can reduce fertility.
Miss Smith said: "I was single at the time but, when I got together, with Steve we did talk about this and I wondered if I'd get pregnant. So it was a surprise when I found out I was expecting."
Her pregnancy was without complications although doctors did not want to risk a normal delivery and performed the Caesarean to protect her organs on 29 September at Queen Charlotte's Hospital.
Miss Smith said: "I'm so grateful to everyone especially Mr Hakim. He was fantastic and even phoned me to congratulate me when I discovered I was pregnant with Oliver. I'm already thinking about having another baby."
Reader views (2)
Who the hell are you to say such things??? I am a pancreas transplant patient who had Type 1 diabetes for 21 years. I have always wanted a child, and know that I am healthy I plan to have one. There are many women ( in the USA) that have had healthy babies that have been on immune supression drugs.
You are the most ignorant person I have ever seen!! You must lead a very unhappy life. I feel sorry for people like you.
- Debbie Perry, Chicago, USA
How grossly irresponisble.
This woman has to take life long immunesupression (she will never be cured of her disease. She has no chance whatsoever of a recovery) which can, amongst many other things, cause life threatening cancers as well contending with the fact it is WHEN "her'" organs(!) fail, making sure there is a good chance she will not be around to see the child grow up.
It is such a shame, of all the children already in homes, she, despite her sickly DNA, have made the choice to bring another child into this world. This is nothing short of barbaric. How can anybody, apart from somebody seflish to the core, think it is a good idea to bring a child into this world whilst under going immune supression (didn't they bother to read up on the side effects?) is beyond me. I hope they have the good sense to either get sterilised or adopt. Sickening.
- Andrea, Sunderland
