Transplant mum's second child

Transplant mum's second child

Suellen Hinde
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun

July 08, 2007 12:00am

NINE years after having a kidney transplant, Melbourne woman Irene Difesa has defied the odds and given birth to her second baby.

Mathew was delivered naturally on Monday, weighing 3.8kg.

"He is proof miracles do happen," Mrs Difesa said.

"The odds have been stacked against us."

Now she hopes to overcome her next hurdle -- ensuring her kidney lasts beyond the normal 10-year life span of a transplanted organ.

Mrs Difesa, 35, was diagnosed in 1992 with systemic lupus erythematosus -- a chronic inflammatory disease that affected her kidneys and immune system.

She began a course of chemotherapy but six months later her kidney disease returned and by April, 1995 the organs were no longer functioning.

She was put on hemodialysis to take over the kidneys' role of cleansing the blood. During that time she met Michael, whom she married in late 1995.

But three years later she found the dialysis very restrictive and depressing.

So when her mother offered to donate a kidney, she jumped at the chance:

"And that's when the miracles started happening.

"My body accepted the organ despite being only 50 per cent compatible," she said.

"Despite the risk, we decided to try for a baby. Jordan arrived in 2000.

"And now here we are with our second child and we have the perfect family -- somehow we are so blessed."

Mrs Difesa put herself at increased risk with both pregnancies.

She now faces the prospect her kidney might fail.

"I am not nervous about it," she said.

"I believe if things are meant to be, they are meant to be, so I try not to think about it and stay as fit as I can."

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