Are Uterus Transplants A Good Alternative to Other Methods of Having Children?

Having children has throughout history been one of the biggest accomplishments a woman could achieve, whether it be for cultural status, family tradition or of own wish. As medicine has improved, the methods to which one can have children non-naturally have also improved and multiplied, these including adoption, IVF (with or without donors) and surrogacy. One such method is uterine transplants.

https://www.greencitymaternityhospital.com/latest-update/hysterectomy-in-nagpur-green-city-maternity-hospit/28

Uterine transplants, which since 2014 has been successfully done 50 times, involves transplanting a uterus from one woman to another so she can carry her own children. The donor must have given birth to ensure the uterus can carry a baby to term. This process involves invasive procedures and a minimum of three major surgeries; egg retrieval for IVF, the initial transplant of the uterus, IVF, a cesarean birth and finally a hysterectomy to remove the uterus once the patient has had a maximum of 2 children through this. This procedure differs from other organ transplants as it is not necessary for life and as the organ is removed when no longer “necessary”.

https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/transplant/abdominal-transplant/uterine-transplantation

So far this has only been done in clinical trials. As it comes closer to becoming a standard procedure, however, there are certain things that need to be addressed. Uterus transplants are unique in the sense that they are not necessary for life and that the immunosuppressants taken to keep the uterus in the body may have harmful effects on the carried child. It should also be taken into consideration why a woman would go through these risks to become a mother, whether it be for a social recognition as a mother or because she wants to experience pregnancy (something that may not happen as hoped since the transplanted uterus’s nerves have been cut). As medical knowledge develops, it should also be considered who is eligible for these transplants, such as women, trans women, women in same sex relationships and women who are already mothers.

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Resources

Koplin, Julian J., and Evie Kendal. Ethical Issues in Uterine Transplantation, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 June 2020, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9188934/.

Mehta, Dr. Jay. “Expanding Reproductive Possibilities: Uterus Transplantation for Transgender Women.” Uterus Transplantation for Transgender Women, Shree IVF Clinic, 5 Mar. 2024, www.shreeivfclinic.com/blogs/uterus-transplant-for-trans-woman/.

“Uterine Transplant Program.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology-obstetrics/specialty-areas/uterine-transplant. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.

“Uterus Transplants: A New Door Opens.” Penn Medicine, 29 Apr. 2019, www.pennmedicine.org/news/internal-newsletters/system-news/2019/may19/uterus-transplants-a-new-door-opens.