Hi, I am 37 and 6 weeks pregnant. This is my first ever pregnancy (male infertility - my husband has oligospermia). I have found out a couple of years ago that I have horseshoe kidney and I would like to know how this can affect my pregnancy. I also have retroverted uterus tilted toward the back. Thank you very much for your consideration.
Hi, A horseshoe kidney usually does not affect pregnancy and childbirth. A horseshoe kidney is a congenital fusion of two developed kidneys which are connected to each other at the lower part. It forms a U shape which is similar to that of a horseshoe and therefore the name. If your have never had any complication due to horseshoe kidneys then it is unlikely that the growing baby in the uterus will be affected by the horseshoe and neither will your kidney functions be compromised in any way due to presence of horse shoe kidneys. However, if you have had any serious kidney function decline earlier than pregnancy may cause some risks and needs to be monitored with care. The strain of pregnancy on body along with serious kidney damage might cause pregnancy complications like premature delivery, clamps, stillbirth. This is because the kidneys have to work more to filter wastes produced by both mother and fetus, which will certainly cause further damage to your kidneys. Should there be such a concern the should get regular ultrasound scans of kidneys and kidney functions repeated at regular intervals and discuss the results with the doctor.