Heart Recipient Gives Birth

It’s somewhat risky to get pregnant after receiving an organ transplant. It’s unknown what effect the daily doses of anti-rejection medication will have on the unborn baby. Pregnancy for Juliana Finondo was even more risky. She received a heart transplant nearly a decade ago. Doctors cautioned her because pregnancy puts an extra strain on the mother’s heart. Women have forty-percent more blood flow during pregnancy. But Juliana was determined to have a baby and God blessed her with a pregnancy. For nine months doctors carefully monitored both daughter and mom, and little Emilia was born on January fifteen. This infant will someday realize—just like all of us—how special mothers are. God placed a desire in their hearts to choose life.