Narrative medicine in pregnancy after liver transplantation:a review study

Background: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) provides a source for transplantin the setting of the deceased donor organ shortage. Half of pediatric living liver transplantationdonors are mothers, including women of reproductive age. Fully understanding the effect ofdonation on pregnancy and childbirth are limited to medical aspects, and mothers’ experiencesremain unclear. The present study expressed deeper feelings of women who became pregnant andgave birth who donated a part of their liver to their own child. Method: The present article is areview study. The present systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of theQUOROM statement checklist, an evidence-based system which controls reporting in systematicreviews and meta-analyses. Data were collected using valid search engines and databases. Thekeywords which were used included “pregnancy”, “Liver Donors”, "qualitative research”,”reproductive health. The period from ۲۰۱۰ to ۲۰۲۲ were selected. Results: The results of ۷ sources,out of the selected ۳ sources, showed that one main theme, Participants described liver donationas a "lifesaving and voluntary action with different aspects influencing life". Six subthemes were۱. explanation and consultation on pregnancy and childbirth after liver donation, ۲. physical andmental burden after liver donation, ۳. concern about the effects of donor surgery on pregnancy andchildbirth, ۴. consideration for own body, ۵. concern about the physical condition of the recipient,and ۶. the presence of someone with which to easily consult . Conclusion: Although living donorshave experienced numerous problems, donation was perceived as a voluntary lifesaving behavior.Even though, physically burden and experiences anxiety about the physical condition of therecipient as well as about pregnancy and childbirth, was reported by most of participants,continuous psychosocial support is needed.

Keywords:

“Pregnancy” , “Liver Donors” , Reproductive health”