Kidney disease and pregnancy choices – what support do women need?

The Welsh Kidney Research Unit is undertaking a study to learn more about women’s experiences of kidney disease, decisions about having children and their experiences of pregnancy and having children.  Findings will help to develop new shared decision making tools to help better support women with the sometimes complicated and emotional decisions they may need to make about having children.

Taking part involves completing an online survey, with option to share details for a potential follow up interview.

If you are a woman living with kidney disease, aged 18-50 living in the UK you are invited to take part and share your views.

Dr Siân Griffin, Consultant Nephrologist at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, who is leading the project says:

“We want to better understand the key factors that influence decision making about pregnancy from women’s perspectives, including their understanding and concerns about the potential impact of pregnancy on their health and of their kidney disease on their pregnancy, concerns and expectations from other family members, the risk of passing on an inherited condition, miscarriages, anxiety and depression, potential stress within relationships, and social care needs”.  

Please complete the survey here: https://cardiff.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ckd-engage

You can also sign up to receive a newsletter to hear about the study by contacting Dr Leah McLaughlin from Bangor University:  [email protected]

Read a press release about the study here: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/archive/kidney-disease-and-pregnancy-what-do-women-need-for-their-support-44045