Family planning

If you are a woman of childbearing age you may find that your fertility improves after a transplant. Male fertility may improve too.

For most patients, yes, but it needs to be planned properly with your transplant team. This is because you may need to change your medicines as well as give your body time to heal properly.

If you become pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, you should discuss this at the earliest opportunity with your transplant team. Some of the immunosuppressant drugs you might be taking are associated with an increased risk of birth defects and premature birth.

Your transplant team will usually suggest that you wait one year before trying for a baby. This is to give you time to manage and adjust your medicines and make sure your liver transplant is functioning as it should be. You should use contraception during this first year. Your transplant team will discuss safe methods of contraception with you.

Some types of immunosuppressant medications can damage the baby as it develops in the womb. If you are a woman and you are planning to have a family, you MUST speak to your liver transplant team before you start trying for a baby, as some of your medicines may need to be changed.

For men, it is less likely that your medicines will need to be changed. Men should also speak to their transplant team if they are planning to have a family.

Learn more about medicines

Even if your liver transplant is working well, there may be a higher risk of problems for you, your transplant and your baby. You will need close monitoring by your transplant team and obstetricians (birthing doctors). These doctors may suggest that you plan to have the baby in a hospital close to your transplant team, in case there are problems with the liver transplant at the time you give birth.

This will depend on the medicines you are on. Please speak to your transplant team.

Yes. Like women, they are likely to find their fertility increases. If you are a man and you are planning to have a family, please speak to your liver transplant team. It is unlikely that your medicines will need to be changed

Some transplant medicines can harm the child inside the womb. It’s important to speak to your transplant team so that they can give you more advice and see if your medications need to change. If you speak to your transplant team before planning a family, the risk of problems with child development is low.