Uterus Transplant

Hazel_B

Yeah, I'm reading the news today.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/mom-to-donate-womb-to-daughter-in-ground-breaking-uterus-transplant/article2058534/

What do you think of this?

MLekathLEEN

My cousin has some type of bladder disease (cannot think of the name) that makes it nearly impossible to eat or drink certain foods without giving her horrible pain. She has always said that when my mom dies, she calls her bladder.

If I needed something like that, I'd do it regardless of whether I was in it or not at one point in my life. It is not life threatening like when people need  bone marrow or a liver transplants but people get their relatives checked for matches with those, I don't see a problem with it if you really want to do that.

My mom also had girly issues and had to get a hysterectomy so I'd have to find someone else's baby oven.

ravenray

I don't know.  I don't think I have anything against it.  It bothered me that the article said she could use her own eggs.  But where would she get the eggs?  Unless they hope her "uterus" will produce eggs.  Otherwise wouldn't they be her mother’s eggs?  Idk I just feel a little uneasy about this.  But I have nothing against it on principle.

ravenray

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_uterus-transplant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:20e711ce-ae7e-4b6a-ad45-d439287cbf8cPost:276d5667-1219-42cf-a703-0e3d3021e45e">Re: Uterus Transplant</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Uterus Transplant : It sounds like the girl's ovaries are intact, which is where the eggs come from. The whole female reproductive system includes ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. So her mom's eggs wouldn't enter into it at all, and my guess would be the mom would keep her ovaries since they produce estrogen and you should keep those as long as you can to prevent osteoperosis. 
Posted by LivLeighton[/QUOTE]
Oh that is true.  I guess I don't really know much about the body.  Lol

bethsmiles

I don't have anything against it, it wouldn't be the road I would choose for myself. I'd just adopt.

Hazel_B

I found it to be a really interesting alternative for people.

I still think adoption would be better because those children already exist.

DanieKA

I don't have anything against her reasons for wanting to do this. How people choose to grow their family is their prerogative and I am firmly on the side that it's none of my business. 

Having said that, there's so many factors that may make this not worth the risks, IMO. There is no guarantee, like any organ, that the daughter's body will accept it. Luckily the uterus isn't a vital organ, so  I guess it could just be taken out again, but that's another surgery. 

There's no guarantee that fertility treatments after a successful transplant will work. People always assume if you have trouble IUI or IVF will work. For some people, for known and unknown medical reasons, it just doesn't. I understand the urge/need/want for a biological child and the desire to carry that child, but if you have good eggs, and just aren't a good vessel for carrying, I might consider a gestational carrier (though that is an entire area of knowledge and education to get through as well). 

Speaking of the desire to carry a child, what if the mother's donated uterus is incompetent? There is such a thing as an incompetent uterus/cervix. Depending on age, how many children the mom had, etc, these things can wear on a uterus and there won't be any guarantee that it will function the way it's supposed to. i.e. hold off on contracting before term, or even before viability. Or alternately, know when to contract when it's time. at 56 your uterus hasn't really been in action for a while, so who knows what will happen. 

I think I'd look at other options, before considering this, but I'm sure their (hopefully responsible) doctors have discussed all of this with them. 

Sorry this was so long. I almost became a doctor instead of going to law school, but I hate math and bed pans. But I have sort of been looking at niche legal practices that specialize in ART (assisted reproductive technology) and adoption/family building. It's very interesting.  

Hazel_B

Liv - I agree with you, it is really important for some people to carry their own biological children. I just have a hard time thinking of all the resources that would be used to do this and could go really far in other areas.

To be honest, I can't ever see this happening in Canada because it seems like too much of a luxury. OHIP (Ontario health Insurance Plan) covers a couple (i think 3) IVF treatments if you have one or two types of infertility. I think the only one covered is blocked fallopian tubes for women. Basically, a lot of people are out of luck and have to do everything out of pocket.  I can't see people having the money to do a uterus transplant.  

Sparrow87

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_uterus-transplant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:20e711ce-ae7e-4b6a-ad45-d439287cbf8cPost:9bdf8c4e-68ad-4c6d-88f1-cc0dd6f69caa">Re: Uterus Transplant</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't have anything against it, it wouldn't be the road I would choose for myself. I'd just adopt.
Posted by bethsmiles[/QUOTE]

I couldn't have said it simpler Beth, if I decide that I want children and my innerds are all messed up I wouldn't bother with all of the medical intervention and risky procedures that a lot of women do, I would just adopt. 

Peaseblossom55

Defintely agree with what others have said I would go with adoption.