Family planning

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

If you are planning a pregnancy, it is important that you discuss the potential risks with your transplant team at the earliest opportunity.

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 1 year before thinking about trying for a baby. This is to give you time to consider the risks and to make sure your bowel 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 bowel transplant team before you start trying for a baby, as some of your medicines may need to be changed.

Men should also speak to their transplant team if they are planning to have a family.

Learn about medicines

Even if your bowel 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 transplant at the time you give birth.

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

Yes. If you are a man and you are planning to have a family, please speak to your transplant team. It is possible 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.