Giving birth is an incredible experience for many women. Unfortunately, not every woman is able to encourage this...
Uterine factor infertility is a condition that causes women to be unable to get pregnant due to the absence of a uterus or having a uterus that is incapable of supporting pregnancy. One in 500 women is estimated to be affected by this condition. Uterus transplant is carried out for those women to help them start a family and then removed once the family is established.
The first uterus transplant in India was successfully performed on 18 May 2017, and India became one of the few countries where uterus transplants have been successfully carried out. Turkey, Sweden, and the United States are the other countries where uterine transplants have been carried out. The first baby from a uterus transplant in India was born on 18 October 2018, roughly 17 months after the recipient had the surgery.
What Is The Purpose of Uterus Transplant?
Unlike other organ transplant procedures, a uterus transplant is not a life-saving procedure. The purpose is to improve people’s quality of life. Women who are experiencing infertility due to uterine factors can achieve their reproductive goals with uterus transplants.
Potential Donors For Uterus Transplant
In a Uterus transplant procedure, the uterus can be obtained from either a living donor or a deceased donor. Both are associated with certain risks and benefits.
- Living donor – It is more advantageous as it allows more time for investigation to be carried out. The disadvantage is a significant risk to the donor. Most of the living donation is due to maternal relations.
- Deceased donor – Utilizing deceased donors eliminates donor risk as it permits more extensive dissection, which allows taking larger caliber vessels and thus lowers the risk of graft thrombosis. The major disadvantage is the associated systemic brain death inflammation that can hamper the quality of the uterus. It also increases the chance of rejection and chronic graft dysfunction.
The first uterus transplant in India is also a living donor case, where the mother donates the uterus to her daughter who is born without a uterus.
The Procedure of Uterine Transplant in India
To undergo the process of uterus transplant surgery in India, a person has to first go through a screening and enrollment process. This is followed by:
- Recipient’s evaluation – The physical and mental health of the recipient is thoroughly evaluated first before starting the process.
- Assessment of donor – If the donated uterus is from a deceased donor, it has to undergo first for viability checking and other tests before being donated. Live donors also have to go through cancer screenings and imaging scans along with other extensive gynecological exams.
- In vitro fertilization – The participant’s egg is harvested and fertilized in vitro to form a new embryo. This process is necessary because the uterus is not connected to the fallopian tubes during the uterus transplantation.
- Hysterectomy – It is the process of removing the uterus. The donor’s uterus will be removed carefully through this procedure.
- Transplantation – The harvested uterus is carefully transplanted into the recipient’s body.
Also know: Uterus Transplant Cost in India
Post-Uterine Transplant
The patient has to receive immunosuppressant medication to prevent the chances of organ rejection. Once the patient has fully recovered from the surgery, the embryo will be transferred into the uterus. Embryo transfer is usually done six to twelve months after the transplant. The actual time is determined by the condition of the transplanted uterus and the participant’s medical stability.
If the participant gets successfully pregnant, utmost care will be given by a team of obstetricians throughout the pregnancy. The baby will be delivered through cesarean section approximately 37 to 39 weeks after, or even earlier than that if necessary for the mother and baby’s health. Once the participants complete a family, the uterus will be removed via hysterectomy and the immunosuppressant medication will be ceased.
Best Uterus Transplant Hospitals in India
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital New Delhi
- Max Hospital Saket, New Delhi
- Fortis Hospital Gurgaon
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai
- MGM Healthcare, Chennai
- Global Hospital Chennai
- Artemis Hospital Gurgaon
- KIMS Hospital Hyderabad
- Fortis Malar Hospital ,Chennai
- Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai
Risks Associated With Uterus Transplant
Uterine transplant is not a common procedure and only a few cases have been successfully carried out. There are certain risks associated with the process including:
- Organ rejection.
- Spontaneous abortion due to unwanted complications.
- Intrauterine complications.
- Low birth weight.
- Premature birth.
Immunosuppressants are usually prescribed to decrease the risk of organ rejection following a uterus transplant in India. However, these medications can also give rise to further complications such as:
- Kidney toxicity.
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Bone marrow issues.
- Infection.
- Bone thinning.
Why Would You Choose To Have a Uterus Transplant In India?
Currently, India is one of the very few countries that has successfully carried out uterus transplants. India followed Turkey, Sweden, and the US to be the fourth country that performed a uterus transplant when it victoriously completed the procedure on 18 May 2017.
Additionally, the cost of a uterus transplant in India is more affordable than in other countries, and also India has successfully carried out the procedure multiple times. In most cases of uterus transplant in India, a laparoscopic surgical technique is used. This technique is less invasive and it allows the patient for faster recovery.
Conclusion
Uterus transplant is one of the big achievements in the field of medical advancements. It gives hope and opportunity to those women who dream of bearing a child but cannot fulfill it due to uterine factor infertility. Research is continuously going on in the field of uterine transplant in India. The country is dedicated to helping women to achieve their dream of motherhood.
Uterus Transplant FAQs:-
Q: Who Is An Appropriate Candidate For Uterus Transplant?
A: A uterus transplant may be an option for any woman who has an absolute uterine factor infertility. This condition includes those women who are born without a uterus, who have a non functioning uterus, or whose uterus has been removed due to medical conditions.
Q. What is the Cost of a Uterus Transplant in India?
A: The average cost of uterus transplant in India is Rs. 12 lakh to 20 lakh ($14,400 to $24,000).
Q: What Are The Drawbacks of Having a Uterus Transplant?
A: Following uterine transplantation, there is an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and maternal medical complications. These risks may arise from inadequate function of the transplanted uterus, underlying maternal medical issues, or the requirement for immunosuppressive therapy.
Q: Is It Possible For A Man To Become Pregnant With Uterus Transplant?
A: Anybody with ovaries and a uterus has the potential to become pregnant. Future advancements in reproductive technology, such as uterus transplants, may enable conception even in those without a uterus. Men can indeed conceive and give birth to their own children through a uterus transplant surgery.
Q: How Long Will It Take To Get Pregnant After Having a Uterus Transplant?
A: The participant’s medical stability and the condition of the uterus transplant are the factors that will determine when the embryo transfer takes place, which usually takes six to twelve months after the transplant.
Q: Are Transplants of the Uterus Permanent?
A: Uterus transplant is not intended to be permanent. Even if it is successful, the transplanted uterus will be removed once the recipient has completed the family. This is mainly because taking a life-long immunosuppressant medication after the transplant can be life-threatening.
