Opinion Editor
In 2014, the first baby was born from a uterus transplant in Sweden at Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The baby weighed three pounds and nine ounces. On Dec. 1, the United States welcomed the first baby born from a transplanted uterus at the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas; he also weighed three pounds and nine ounces. This was the ninth successful uterus transplant birth in world history
The new mother received her transplant from Taylor Siler, a Dallas nurse. After having two children of her own, Siler wanted to give the opportunity of motherhood to someone else. The mother was one of ten women from Baylor’s clinical trial where eight of them have already received transplants. One is currently pregnant, two are trying to conceive, and four have had failed transplants. Those with failed transplants have their uterus removed. Surgeons also remove the uterus of women with successful transplants once their baby is born.
Dr. Gregory J. McKenna, an obstetrician and gynecologist, delivered the baby boy. He claimed: “Outside my own children, this is the most excited I have ever been about any baby being born; I just started to cry.”
Currently, the family chooses to remain anonymous. However, they recently shared their gratitude and thrill in a public statement which said: “We consider ourselves profoundly blessed to have been a part of this study, and we are optimistic that this initial success will lead to many more in the future. We humbly hope that our little boy can serve as an inspiration to those struggling with infertility, and demonstrate throughout his life that no matter what obstacles are in your path, with the right team working beside you, anything is possible.”
Although there have been several unsuccessful transplants, doctors are optimistic about the possibilities these transplants will offer. As Liza Johannesson, a uterus transplant surgeon at Baylor, said, “To make the field grow and expand and have the procedure come out to more women, it has to be reproduced.” This procedure has given more women hope, and eventually more women the opportunity to give birth.
(Sources: Tech Times, ABC News, Medpage Today, New York Times, Times, People)
Categories: National