Women with severe infertility or Absolute Uterine Factor Infertility (AUFI) that hinders their childbearing capacity may benefit from a uterus transplant surgery. Uterus transplant is the surgical replacement of the current uterus of a woman with that of a donated one. It may be considered the last option for the treatment of AUFI and reproductive conditions such as endometriosis, congenital conditions like the absence of a uterus, and developmental conditions such as being born with an underdeveloped uterus. 

Uterus transplantation is a revolutionary procedure which offers a life-changing opportunity to a woman with various infertility factors to bear a child. Gleneagles Hospital offers to bring this joy of childbearing to women through the uterus transplantation program.  

Uterus Transplantation Process

Before the uterus transplant surgery, both the donor (living) and the recipient are thoroughly evaluated to determine their pelvic anatomy and the state of the current vasculature to avoid anatomical complications. The recipient may be given fertility drugs for harvesting her eggs and fertilising outside the body. The fertilised egg may be later frozen and then transferred to the womb when the recipient is ready for pregnancy.  

During the surgery, the womb and cervix of the donor are removed and implanted in the recipient. The transplanted uterus is well taken care of by experienced gynecologic surgeons of Gleneagles Hospitals, who connect it with the blood vessels, muscles, tendons, cartilage, and other connectors with utmost care and precision to ensure that the uterus functions properly. If the uterus has been taken from a living donor, all-inclusive care is taken to ensure that they are also taken care of and rehabilitated properly. 

Rehabilitation Care

Following the surgery, both the recipient and the living donor are kept in the intensive care unit for constant monitoring of health. Pain management and rehabilitation is provided along with administration of immunosuppressant drugs. The patients may be monitored to prevent any infection and manage pain levels.  

Pregnancy After Uterus Transplant

After the recipient recovers from the uterus transplant surgery, the embryo transfer is done in hopes of a successful implantation and pregnancy. Since the recipient would be on immunosuppressants, it may be considered a high-risk pregnancy, and they may be monitored closely for the health of both the mother and the baby. After the delivery of a baby, the transplanted uterus may be either removed or retained for a second pregnancy if all goes well for both the mother and child.