Mumbai, May 4: In a remarkable case of medical success and human spirit, a 24-year-old liver transplant survivor, Mehjaben Atif Kolad, delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 2.9 kg at Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai. The birth took place on May 4, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan and Mother’s Day—making the moment even more special for the new mother and her family.
Mehjaben underwent a life-saving liver transplant in 2014 at the age of 18, following acute liver failure triggered by tuberculosis medication. She had slipped into a coma and was placed on a ventilator, leaving her family devastated. Her condition was critical, and liver transplantation was the only option. Fortunately, her mother was found to be a suitable donor and donated a portion of her liver, giving Mehjaben a second chance at life.
Dr. Akash Shukla, Transplant Hepatologist at Global Hospital, stated,
“She was under close follow-up post-transplant, recovered well, and even overcame tuberculosis. With consistent monitoring, she resumed her normal life and never missed a follow-up.”
In 2022, Mehjaben married and began contemplating motherhood. Despite initial concerns due to her medical history and low body weight (36 kg), her determination and medical support saw her through a healthy pregnancy. She conceived nine months ago and was closely monitored throughout her term by a multidisciplinary team.
Dr. Anagha Chhatrapati, Gynecologist at Global Hospital, noted,
“Pregnancy after liver transplantation is considered extremely high-risk due to potential complications like miscarriage, hypertension, low birth weight, and graft rejection. But Mehjaben’s case was handled meticulously. At 37 weeks, she went into spontaneous labor and delivered naturally. Both mother and baby were discharged on the third day in stable condition.”
Mehjaben shared her gratitude,
“Becoming a mother after everything I went through feels like a miracle. I’m thankful to my doctors and family for supporting me throughout. Delivering my baby during Ramadan and just before Mother’s Day made this even more special. I especially thank my own mother—she gave me life not once, but twice.”
Medical Insight: Pregnancy After Liver Transplantation
Women are advised to wait at least one year post-transplant before trying to conceive.
Pregnancy is safest when the woman is stable and on a minimal dose of immunosuppressants.
High doses of immunosuppressive medication can lead to complications such as miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, congenital anomalies, and preterm labor.
A multidisciplinary medical approach is crucial for managing such high-risk pregnancies successfully.
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