Uterus Transplant?

Emily65Roses

New member
Okay so I’m going to ask a rather odd question. A CFer I talk to just asked why I couldn’t have kids, and I explained to her that I had a hysterectomy at 18, blah blah etc. She asked if they could replace it, as in transplant. At first I thought it was a ludicrous question, but the more I thought about it, the more I wondered… Why not?

So I put “uterus transplant” into Google and looked at the first article that came up. It said it has been performed. The uterus created two successful periods, but then it failed and had to be removed. The only reason I've seen so far about why not to do the surgery is because it's unethical to perform a transplant and put one on the rejection drugs if it's not to save a life. It said all over the article that it’s ethically irresponsible because of this.

Now my question is… I understand it’s not worth risking alone. But if I get a double-lung someday anyway, why not just add a uterus to the bill, you know? By then I will have to be on the anti-rejection drugs anyway, so the added foreign organ doesn’t seem too outrageous.

I can’t believe I never thought of it before. I’ve had a lot of trouble adjusting to the idea that I can never carry my own kids over the last 2+ years. But it never once occurred to me to question the idea of a uterus transplant.

Basically I’m looking for everyone’s opinions. What do you guys think of the idea? Of its possibility? Of the (extra) risks? (That is to say, the risks that would come out of the uterus transplant alone, instead of the whole process including the lungs). And if anyone knows information about this that it appears I’m not aware of (which is most), please feel free to share.

PS – I’m not looking for my other options as far as having children go here. I’m aware of what those options are (surrogacy, adoption), and will probably end up going down one of those routes anyway. It’s just the “ideal” to carry one’s own children, so I figure why not at least look into it?
 
I

IG

Guest
Females, after transplant, are highly discouraged from carrying a child. The reasons they told me...
A) The body is already weak and the body's first responsibility is to take care of the child first, you second.
B) The anti-rejection medications ( they don't know what it would do to a fetus )
C) The strain of birth weakens the body even more.

To sum up what they said to me: The probability of death for either me or the child can be exceptionally high. So instead of saying it can be done they just discourage the patient from getting pregnant.
 

anonymous

New member
I think it is kind of a cool concept... Since you are going to be on the anti rejection meds anyway... I didn't know that you were able to have a baby once you started the anti rejection drugs.. I thought it would go to the baby as well...but if it didn't and it was safe to have a baby post transplant...why not.. Its your body... ?? It does sound like a strange concept but then again the thought of someone elses lungs being put in someone elses body used to be considered strange to.....In reality I doubt the drs would do it because they don't usually like to put us at risk any more than we already are..but hmmm good thoughts and maybe a little persistance would get you far...
 

Emily65Roses

New member
Hmm I didn't even think about the possible following pregnancy. Just the procedure and idea of the transplant itself. Thanks for giving me that info, Candice. I hadn't even thought of that stuff. I didn't have too much hope in it anyways, it's too new. But still an interesting idea. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">
 
I

IG

Guest
No problem Emily, the more you know the better prepared you are. And yeah, very interesting idea. Keep an ear to the ground and let us know if anything pops up with that.
 

anonymous

New member
OK i am not 100% sure on this but i know i heard this somewhere...I hope Joanne sees this post....but i also heard that post transplant getting pregnant can cause rejection of organs. Its very dangerous to get pregnant because the body produces antibodies to help the fetus, and those anti bodies can also attack the new organs in the body...and fight against the anti rejection medication causing lots of problems. Like I said I am not 100% on this but pretty sure its something to the affect of its dangerous post transplant and can cause rejection.
 

spicyone18

New member
Yes it is possible, the first uterus transplant was reported to be done in 2002. Unfortunatly it had to be removed 3 months later do to complications. But with technology and what not I am sure one day it will be a success. So it just may be possible for you in the future.
 

RadChevy

New member
Emily,

Very interesting idea.... I believe a woman had an ovary tx... if I remember correctly... I am not sure that you take immune suppression drugs for that... but would guess you would? If the organ/tissue you have tx'd does not have a blood supply, you do not have to take immune suppression. For example the cornea.... no blood supple is needed to the cornea, so cornea recipients do not take anti rejection meds.

Now to anti rejection drugs and pregnancy.

When woman becomes pregnant - any woman - her body make antibodies.... why? Because the baby is foreign, and it is natural for the body to 'attack' a foreign matter in the body... much like an infection. The same would be true for someone who had a tx and then got pregnant... the body would attack the fetus and also the grafted organs. There are women who have had a lung tx becoming pregnant and I think the number now might be up to 15 or so. Success? I think maybe 9 of those women have had their child, but the most common problem is they lose their grafted organ and go into rejection. High antibodies pre tx are a concern.. .in fact if you have too high of antibodies pre tx ( you can have high antibodies due to blood transfusions, or pregnancies) you most likely will be turned down for tx, because the general feeling is that you will immediatelly reject the organ.

So would tx of uterus work? I am not sure. A good question to ask some doctors, and researchers.

Joanne Schum
luckylungsforjo@aol.com
 

anonymous

New member
It sounds like a neat idea, but for me I think it's too early in technology to risk.
Another thing...a uterus is not an esential organ, so I would think it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get an insurance company to pay for it. Did you choose to have your hysterectomy or was it a medical reason? That would also make a big difference in your elegability for a transplant. They can tell you no.
 

anonymous

New member
Ok, I know this is a dumb question, but once you have a hysterectomy does your body stop producing eggs and such? If so, when they did yours did they take any of your eggs and freeze them?
 

Emily65Roses

New member
They didn't need to take any and freeze them because my ovaries are still there and of use. I believe they still produce eggs, and just get re-absorbed into my system.
 

anonymous

New member
Em,
if you still produce eggs, have you ever considered a surrogate mother for the future? They use your eggs, the sperm of your husband/boyfriend, whoever and the other woman just carries the baby for 9 months. I am just wondering if you knew, or considered that to be an option?

Julie
 

Emily65Roses

New member
Oh yeah, I know about it. I've been researching it and looking at surrogate mother ads online. That's probably the route we'll end up taking. My sister even offered to think about it (she's only 17, so thinking is plenty). It's just a matter of if we can find one (I'd prefer it to be someone I know, though I won't limit myself to that option) and how much they'll charge. Thanks for putting the idea out there, though. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">
 

supermanfan

New member
Ok, I just had to comment on this... I think it is absolutely rediculous that a woman would be so childish herself to want such a transplant. Look at how many other women can't have children for other reasons... A uterus transplant is a discusting thought!!

Transplants are done out of need to support life ONLY!! Wait, I take that back there are Cornia transplants, but the need to see allows one to live a normal life. Just because you can't carry a child and give birth does not mean you can't live a normal life.

Sorry, but why you would ever think of such a thing is beyond my imagination. IT'S TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY WRONG!!!!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0"> <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0">
 

anonymous

New member
all she wanted to know was IS IT POSSIBLE... she never said she was going to have it done.. give the girl a break...geez i dont think she needs all the negative comments


Melissa mom to dylan 6 no cf and caleb 3wcf
 

Emily65Roses

New member
Thank you Melissa. And to mom of Allie I have yet to know what you were going to say, but it looks as if you were going to make some point in my favor, so I thank you as well.

Melissa is right. I just wanted to know what people thought of the possibility. And you know what, like I said, if I was going to get only a uterus transplant, there would be no purpose. But since I'm likely to get a double lung someday anyway, why not add an extra organ to the bill? As it is, I know it's probably out of the question (unless something big changes between now and then). I just found some information on the subject and it caught my attention.
 

anonymous

New member
I didnt mean to shove my nose in....... i just feel that everytime someone has a question they end up getting bashed....whats the point i mean come on we have enough stress in our lives... why do ppl have to purposely make it worse.... but i know there is one in every bunch... anyway emily i hope whatever route you decide to go works out for you.... kids are such a blessing and i dont regret one moment of it and i know when the time comes you'll feel the same.....<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">


Melissa 25yr old mom to dylan 6 no cf and caleb 3wcf and asthma
 
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