Kidney donor becomes a mom

HREE years after Nicolene Naicker donated her kidney to her husband Trevor to save his life, the couple are revelling in the birth of their first child.

Their son, Ezra Gordon Naicker, was born at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban on August 8.

Nicolene, 36, a retail manager, described the birth of their son as “surreal”.

“It has been an amazing experience. I am so grateful that during the pregnancy there were no complications and Ezra is healthy.”

Mom and baby spent a week in hospital.

“This was for observation because I only have one kidney and Ezra had a touch of jaundice. But we are glad to be home and settling into a routine,” said Nicolene.

Trevor, 33, described as a “hands on” dad by his wife, said he has been “immensely blessed”.

The Pinetown couple’s story began in January 2008, four months after they married. Trevor’s health deteriorated rapidly and doctors said he was in the final stages of renal failure.

Tests later revealed that Nicolene, 34, was a suitable match for a kidney donation. However, because the couple are not blood relatives, this delayed the process.

“I finally sent a motivating letter to the minister of health , and received a response early 2013,” she recalled.

The operation took place at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital on November 5, 2013.

They remained in hospital for three weeks, then had to rest for three months.

“I had a new lease on life, I exercised, ate better and started working,” said Trevor. Nicolene said she also felt healthy and continued with her life.

The couple moved into their first home a year ago and hearing Nicolene was pregnant in August last year was music to their ears, “Especially after all the challenges we faced,” she said.

Nicolene said Ezra was conceived naturally. “We were initially worried if I would be able to have a child after the procedure, but it all went well.”

Ezra was born through a C-section and weighed 3.3kg.

Nicolene said she had experienced morning sickness in the first trimester and had to do prenatal visits every month to check the functioning of her kidney.

“But motherhood is good! Ezra slept through the night, so I’m a proud mummy,” she laughed.

Trevor said he was spending his two weeks of leave bonding with his son.

“For now, keeping him in the sun is important for his jaundice.”

The couple are actively involved in organ donor programmes and counsel others, and Nicolene reiterated that nothing could replace giving someone the gift of life.

“And now we have our son, another life, which has made everything so worthwhile.”