Korean J Adult Nurs.  2013 Dec;25(6):690-700.

Experiences of Pregnancy and Childbirth in Women after Liver Transplantation

• Ha HS
• Lim KC
• Hong JJ
• Kim IO
• Jeon MK
• Jeong JS
• Lee SH
• Son HM
• Yi M
• Lee SG

Abstract

PURPOSE
Liver transplantation (LT) is the best treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease and most patients with LT return to their normal life. However, pregnancy and childbirth for women with LT are less common, mainly because it is considered to be dangerous for their health. The purpose of this study was to describe how Korean women after LT experience their pregnancy and childbirth.
METHODS
This study was designed to explore the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth of women with LT. Data were collected by individual in-depth interviews with four women who were pregnant and gave birth following LT in 2009. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Four themes emerged as a result of analysis: recovery of lost feminity and marriage; fulfilling roles through pregnancy; life-risking pregnancy; and perfect family achieved by childbirth. These themes describe in detail about challenges and concerns the women with LT faced for their pregnancy and childbirth as well as many emotionally touching experiences.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study would support health professionals to be better prepared to help women with LT for pregnancy and childbirth by providing in-depth and insightful information.

MeSH Terms

Female
Health Occupations
Humans
Life Change Events
Liver Diseases
Liver Transplantation*
Liver*
Marriage
Parturition*
Pregnancy*
Qualitative Research

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