The second power of life: organ transplantation pregnant women give birth

On November 15, Xiaoying, a patient with a combined heart-lung transplant, gave birth to a baby girl at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Photo/Courtesy of respondents

This newspaper reporter Mei Mei correspondent Sha Lina Zhao Liping Changsha reported

Newborn little baby's small eyebrows are sometimes locked and sometimes stretched, the little face is red and fluttering, and the small mouth is cocked up from time to time, making a sucking shape... On December 15, holding the little baby who had just had a full moon in his arms, Xiaoying (pseudonym) wrote happiness on his face.

Unlike ordinary mothers, 28-year-old Xiaoying is a heart-lung combination transplant patient. On November 15, Xiaoying's child was born, a baby girl, weighing 3.4 kilograms, in good health.

This brings Xiaoying a second dimension of life. She also became the first patient in China to become pregnant and successfully deliver a combined heart-lung transplant patient.

The heart and lungs of an 11-year-old were transplanted into her body

In 2011, Xiaoying, who was less than 20 years old, frequently suffered from chest tightness, difficulty breathing and even fainting after exercise. When I went to the local hospital for treatment, I found that Xiaoying's heart had a ventricular septal defect because of congenital malformations, just like there was an extra "heart eye" in the heart, resulting in heart failure.

Gradually, Xiaoying became difficult to stand and walk, and although she underwent surgery, she still did not get relief. He also became difficult to breathe, often hemoptysis, slightly moved lips and ten fingers, purple hair, and blue face.

According to the past situation, if you are lucky, you may have another year or two of life, and if you are unlucky, you may lose your life at any time.

Fortunately, Xiaoying was successfully matched with organ donor Liu Ai (pseudonym) and could undergo a combined heart-lung transplant. On October 17, 2014, 11-year-old Liu Ai completed his short life journey due to ineffective treatment for brain tumors. After learning that they were unable to save their children's lives, Liu Ai's parents donated 7 tissues and organs at one time, including the heart and lungs. Professor Yuan Yunchang, vice president of Xiangya Second Hospital, organized the medical team led by Professor Zhou Xinmin and Professor Hu Jianguo of Cardiovascular Surgery, which lasted 5 hours and successfully completed the operation for Xiaoying. "This surgery is an uphill battle." Zhou Xinmin recalled.

After the operation, Xiaoying has been undergoing re-examination training and taking medication under the guidance of Zhou Xinmin, and has recovered very well. She used to call Zhou Xinmin "Zhou Daddy". In the work, life in the big things and small feelings, Xiaoying and "Zhou Daddy" to share. With the encouragement and support of "Zhou Daddy", Xiaoying will often participate in volunteer activities.

"Daddy Zhou, I want to have a baby"

Fast forward to 2018. Xiaoying's life has changed, she met the person she likes, and in 2020 she entered the marriage hall with her lover.

"Daddy Zhou, I want to have a baby." When Zhou Xinmin heard Xiaoying say this idea, he couldn't help but be shocked. Because of ordinary pregnant women, in the process of pregnancy, the burden on the heart and other aspects will increase, not to mention a patient who has done a combined heart-lung transplant. It should be known that cardiopulmonary combined transplant surgery is a high-risk, difficult and extraordinarily large surgery recognized by the world medical community.

Zhou Xinmin immediately found Professor Peng Longkai, director of the Organ Transplant Center, and Professor Huang Jian, director of obstetrics, to discuss together. Doctors told Xiaoying: "Postoperative pregnancy of cardiorespiratory combination transplant recipients is a high-risk pregnancy, which will increase the burden on the heart and lungs, and cardiopulmonary failure may occur during pregnancy." There are no successful cases in China, and there are only a few cases of successful childbirth abroad. ”

Hearing the doctor's persuasion, Xiaoying walked out of Zhou Xinmin's office with despair.

The back of Xiao Ying's lonely departure aroused the compassion of the doctors.

"Fight again for life, challenge the impossible!" After adequate preconception evaluation, Xiaoying may consider conception.

According to Xiaoying's situation, Peng Longkai removed the drugs that had an impact on the fetus in advance and prepared Xiaoying for pregnancy. After 1 month of preparing for pregnancy, in early 2021, Xiaoying naturally conceived successfully.

There is no danger, give birth to a baby

"There's a chance to be a mother, but every step has to be prepared in advance." In order to help Xiaoying, the hospital specially established a WeChat group of "birth escort team" for her, and Tao Cheng, director of the medical department, served as the group leader, gathered experts from obstetrics and other related departments to carry out many consultations.

"Throughout the pregnancy, Xiaoying can be said to be in danger." Xiaoying's attending doctor, Professor Pi Pixiang of obstetrics, said that the doctor set a small goal for Xiaoying in stages, first 28 weeks, and then became 36 weeks and 37 weeks according to the actual situation...

At 9:15 a.m. on November 15, the baby let out his first cry, and everyone present breathed a long sigh. The examination confirmed that the 3.4 kg baby girl was very healthy, and Xiaoying also became the first patient in the country to successfully deliver a baby's heart-lung combination transplant. 5 days after the operation, the mother and baby were discharged safely.

According to a literature published by the European Respiratory Association in 2019, internationally, the average gestation cycle of transplanted women is 36 weeks, the average fetal weight is 2.5 kg, and there is a 43% preterm birth rate. And we not only gave birth successfully, but also achieved full-term, healthy delivery. Huang Jian, director of obstetrics, introduced.

"Xiaoying's successful delivery will also be a very big encouragement for patients with heart-lung combination transplants." Li Zhihong, president of Xiangya Second Hospital, said that through Xiaoying's case, the hospital has accumulated more experience and can better serve patients with similar conditions in the future.

【Source: Xiaoxiang Morning News】