When beginning a family, it’s important for both parents to understand that there’s a 50 percent chance that the baby will inherit PKD. It is possible to determine whether the fetus has PKD. Potential parents should also consider the following: 

• Roughly 16 percent of people develop new onset hypertension during pregnancy
• 8 percent develop pre-eclampsia (increased blood pressure and protein in urine)
• Women with PKD are more likely to develop chronic hypertension that lasts beyond pregnancy and women with hypertension are at an increased risk for fetal and maternal complications
• There’s an increased risk of pre-eclampsia
• Four or more pregnancies may lead to a slightly lower GFR
• Pregnancy may be correlated with liver cysts

 Speak to your doctor to learn more about your risks and how to manage them.