First Successful Uterus Transplant: FCD Was There!

uterine transplant

First Successful Uterus Transplant: FCD Was There!

We are thrilled to hear of the first U.S. baby born from a transplanted uterus. There are simply no words to describe the profound joy and amazement we felt when we hear, especially since we’re honored to have played a part in such a remarkable fertility treatment milestone.

Our very own Dr. J. Michael Putman worked with the mother during her IVF cycle, and successfully transferred the embryo who became the first U.S. baby born from a transplanted uterus.

Woman Without Uterus + Clinical Uterus Transplant Trial = Baby!

The mother, whose identity is being protected to maintain the family’s privacy, was born with absolute uterine factor infertility (AUI). In this case, it meant she was born without a uterus, a condition known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome. Until recently, this diagnosis meant relinquishing any hope of being pregnant and giving birth, requiring women to look for gestational carriers or surrogate mothers.

Transplant and fertility researchers at Baylor University were granted permission to run a clinical uterus transplant trial, based on the success of a similar Swedish uterine transplant trial. The trial would not be considered successful unless it resulted in at least one, live birth.

After being accepted into the trial, 10 women – the majority of whom have MRKH – are undergoing a transplant procedure, using a uterus from live or deceased donors. So far, eight transplants are complete, three have failed, and at least one other uterus transplant resulted in a pregnancy. Once a uterus is transplanted, researchers have to wait a long time for their success – including a menstrual cycle, IVF treatment, full-term pregnancy and a healthy live birth!

Fertility Center of Dallas Doctors Performed Uterus Transplant IVF

Once this mother had her period, she began working with our fertility center’s own Dr. Putman, who has some of the highest IVF success rates in the nation. It is this industry-recognized expertise, and impeccable success record, that led the Baylor team to our door, asking for our help with this revolutionary trial. The women in this trial have functioning ovaries, but they remain unattached to the uterus, making IVF the only route for conception, implantation and pregnancy to occur.

Dr. Giuliano Testa, the lead researcher on the Baylor trial, was quoted in TIME Magazine saying, “We do transplants all day long. This is not the same thing. I totally underestimated what this type of transplant does for these women. What I’ve learned emotionally – I don’t have words to describe.”

Isn’t that the case for anyone whose life is touched by infertility? Nobody but those who experience infertility first-hand can completely understand what it’s like to have a deep longing that will never be fulfilled – only to have it fulfilled in every sense of the word. It’s the ultimate dream come true.

In addition to women with AUI, uterine transplants are a potential solution for women who’ve lost their uterus as the result of cancer.

The Fertility Center of Dallas welcomes this sweet baby into the world and congratulates his proud and grateful parents on keeping the faith and seeing their dream through to the end. And kudos to you, Dr. Putman and the wonderful staff at FCD, for facilitating this miraculous process.

If you would like to view the press conference you can do so HERE.



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