Uterus Transplants - The Why And How

The inability to have a baby naturally can be devastating for those women affected. Whilst many are happy to go through the current available options, such as surrogacy, IVF or adoption, these options aren’t readily available to all women, for a number of reasons, including financial restraints. For those who are medically incapable of going through IVF, until now this meant they would never be able to experience pregnancy. Thanks to new research however, this could all change.

Research and Trials

There have been several studies done worldwide, investigating the possibility and plausibility of transplanting a uterus. To date, the trials have been quite successful, and babies have been born to mothers who have had the transplant. However, like any new medical procedure, there still needs to be further research, trials and discussions about the ethical side of such a procedure.

The UK is about to undergo their own study and trial. It will comprise of 10 women who are aged between 25 and 38 without a uterus. The reason for the lack of uterus is not important, unless there is a serious underlying medical condition that may result in further complications of the transplant. The study will involve the use of the women’s eggs that will then be used to create an embryo. The embryos will be implanted into the transplanted uterus.

Because of the nature of organ transplants, the women will have to be on regular immunosuppressant drugs, to stop their body from rejecting the transplanted uterus. Normally, after an organ transplant, these drugs are needed for the rest of the person’s life. However, because the transplanted uterus is only viable for 2 pregnancies and is then removed, this means they only need the drugs until the uterus is taken out.

READ Babies practice crying in the uterus!

Is It Really Necessary?

There is some question as to whether this type of expensive surgery is really necessary. Many feel that because it is not a lifesaving transplant, unlike a liver or kidney, the risks outweigh the personal need to get pregnant. But, for women who are unable to have children, this surgery could in effect be lifesaving to them, as some feel they are less of a woman if they can’t have babies. Therefore, the uterus transplant could be a positive event for the quality of life of a woman.

What Are The Risks Associated With uterus Transplant  

Risks Associated With the Transplant

Perhaps the biggest risk involves taking the immunosuppressant drugs for the term of the pregnancy. Every drug has side effects, and although researchers aren’t 100% positive on how they may affect the unborn child, there have been cases where women who have had other organs transplanted and been on immunosuppressants throughout pregnancy have delivered healthy babies.

Another serious risk is whether or not the woman’s body will reject the organ, even if they are on the immunosuppressant drugs. This could occur shortly after the transplant, or even after implantation of the embryos. For this reason the UK trial will require the participants to take the drugs for a year before attempting pregnancy.

Any type of surgical procedure carries a risk, and these risks can vary from the mild to the severe. Just the actual process of removing an organ such as the uterus, could result in serious risks to the donor’s health. Likewise with the woman receiving the uterus, there could be complications with anesthesia, or medications used during the surgery. The surgeries are long and complicated, and the woman receiving the transplant will need to have at least 3 operations.

Donor Complications

The research and trials that have been completed in other countries have involved donors that are living. In other words, the uterus came from a healthy, living woman. For the UK trial, they will be using the uterus donated by deceased women. This could have a major impact on the success of the trial, as the uterus may have suffered from the declining health of the person before death. However, if this type of donation is successful, it will mean the uterus transplants are more available.

Previous Trial Results

The first step in the process is to ensure both the male and female are fertile. At least 10 embryos need to be created and preserved, by IVF.  Uterus donations were provided by close relatives of the woman who was to receive the transplant. When the uterus is removed for donation, it includes the veins and arteries. This is a complex procedure, and can take more than 10 hours to harvest the uterus.

The actual transplantation surgery takes up to 5 hours, followed for about a week in hospital. The immunosuppressants are started straight away, and if there are no problems after several months, the dosage is often reduced. After a whole year of monitoring, the embryos are then implanted. Similar to IVF treatment, not every implantation is successful, which is why the creation of 10 or more embryos is necessary. The babies are delivered by caesarian section, rather than by natural birth.

READ Swedish women receive donor uteruses from their moms!

Pros and Cons

If you are unable to have children, then this development may be available to you in the near future. Of course there are pros and cons just like any other type of procedure, and whether you choose to pursue this avenue once it is available will need to be discussed in depth with your physician. For many, the joy of being able to feel what it is like being pregnant, and subsequently delivering your own baby, will far outweigh any possible negatives.