Uterine Transplant Program in Chennai – Creating Generations

What is Uterine Transplant?

Uterine Transplant is a procedure developed to enable women without a Uterus or a non-functional Uterus to become Pregnant. The operation involves transplanting a Uterus from a donor to a recipient. Uterine Transplantation is a real and valid alternative to adoption or Surrogacy. Organ Transplants are successful only if the Organ works properly in the host’s body. But for a Uterine Transplant, success is defined more narrowly: not only does the Uterus have to work, but the woman has to give birth to a healthy baby.


History of Uterine Transplant

The first successful Uterine Transplant with live birth happened in Sweden in 2014 and so far, 72 cases of Uterine Transplantation were done globally, out of which 18 live births are reported. Over 6 Lakh women in India are born without a Uterus and of late, surrogacy has also been a subject in India hence, Uterus Transplantation can serve as an alternative to surrogacy for people who want to give birth and experience their pregnancy.

Uterine Transplantation is a complex procedure surrounded by medical and psychological implications and ethical, moral and cultural concerns and expectations. Unlike any other Organ Transplantation, the Transplant of a Uterus involves no less than four parties – recipient, donor, partner of the recipient, and the possible future child.


Facts On Uterine Transplantation

The procedure aims to allow women with absolute Uterine Factor Infertility to have a baby. Absolute Uterine Factor Infertility is caused due to congenital or surgical absence of the Uterus or the presence of a non-functional Uterus.


Why Gleneagles Global Health City, Chennai?

Excellent Doctors

Our team of doctors is always available to provide you with the best possible care tailored to your needs. They are highly knowledgeable, skilled and compassionate and ready to be there for you when you need them most.

We believe in providing our patients with the highest level of care possible so that they can restore their hope of a healthy tomorrow.

State-of-the-art Infrastructure

We strive to provide our patients with the highest quality of care. Our team of experienced and dedicated professionals is committed to delivering excellence in healthcare services, utilizing streamlined processes and advanced technologies. We have world-class infrastructure and specialize in interdisciplinary care, ensuring that you receive the best possible treatment for your individual needs.

Cutting-edge Technology

We understand that health is a precious gift and our goal is to ensure you can access the highest quality care whenever you need it. We use advanced, high-precision technologies to give you a world-class healthcare experience that is tailored to your individual needs. With our state-of-the-art technology and compassionate care team, we will make sure you receive the best possible healthcare experience.


Our Doctors

Dr Padmapriya Vivek
Dr Padmapriya Vivek

MBBS, MD(OBG), Diploma in Reproductive Medicine(Germany)

Head of the Department - Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Fertility Medicine

FAQs:

Who Needs A Uterine Transplant?

  • Women who are born without a Uterus but have their intact native Ovaries – MRKH Syndrome.
  • Women who lost their Uterus (surgical removal of the Uterus) due to conditions like Fibroids and Cancer.
  • Women with Uterine Malformations or Hypoplastic Uterus.
  • Women with non-functional Uterus due to damage caused by radiation exposure and intrauterine adhesions.
  • Women between 18-40 years of age, married or having a stable partner, with a good general health condition.

Who Can Be A Donor?

  • The Uterus to be transplanted will be obtained from a Living-related donor or Cadaveric donor.
  • The Uterus will be matched to the subject using several selection parameters – to reduce the chance of rejection.
  • Women must be between 40-60 years of age.
  • Women who are younger than 40 years of age, who have had successful pregnancies and who have undergone permanent sterilization.
  • Women with good health conditions.

Where can I get a Uterus Transplant?

South India’s First-Ever Uterine Transplant at Gleneagles Global Health City:

The women aged 24 and 28, both born without Uteruses, received the Organs from their mothers in the first week of December 2022. If the Uterus continues to function normally, by May, doctors will transfer an IVF-created Embryo into the wombs of the two women. Doctors said the baby will be delivered via Caesarean Section after successful implantation and healthy development. “For women without Uteruses or with an underdeveloped one, surrogacy or adoption is the only option. Now, medicine offers hope to those who want to conceive, carry and give birth to a biologically related child,” said Dr Padmapriya Vivek, who heads the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The surgeries were proctored by Dr Jiri Fronek, head of the Transplant Surgery Department, at the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic. The women, whose identity has been withheld by the hospital, were both diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome – a rare congenital disease where they were born with normal Ovaries and Fallopian Tube Function, but have no Uterus. “When they first came to the hospital, they were asked to consider surrogacy as an option. They told us they wanted to opt for a Uterine Transplant and we began work early this year when new rules made surrogacy a difficult option,” Dr Padmapriya Vivek said.

The hospital, which holds the state’s license to perform Uterine Transplants, harvested the women’s eggs and their spouse’s sperm multiple times and froze up to eight embryos for one couple and a dozen for the other. Doctors also assessed the health of the donors – aged 52 and 56. “The donors had attained menopause and were healthy women without lifestyle disorders such as Diabetes or Hypertension,” she said.

The 28-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu had to undergo a plasma exchange ahead of her 16-hour-long transplant surgery as her blood group did not match her mother’s (donor). The patient was under observation for three days before commencing the Transplant.

Meanwhile, doctors worked for 15 hours to Transplant the Uterus of the 24-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh. This included eight hours to retrieve the Organ from the donor. “Tests, including biopsies and scans, showed that the women have accepted the new Organ.

The women are on immunosuppressant medication and hormone tablets. “If everything goes well, we will Transplant the Embryo in six months,” Padmapriya said. “We have up to five years to help them Conceive. After five years, the Uterus will be removed even if they do not Conceive. This is the first Transplant in the state, but there have been nearly 100 such Transplants worldwide and close to 10 in India. Nearly half the women have delivered and a few of the 10 women are pregnant.

The hospital is also working with the Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu to enable women to get Cadaver donations. “Not all women have suitable donors. With the technology and advances we have; we must be able to offer them suitable solutions”.

What is a Uterine Transplant Waiting List?

If the Uterine Transplant is with a Living Donor, then there is no waiting list. If the Uterine Transplant is with a Deceased Donor, then there is a waiting list.

We are with you in your journey to better health

A consultation with our panel of doctors, specialists and surgeons will help you determine what kind of services you may need to help diagnose and treat your condition. If you or someone in your family or friend’s circle are facing any health issues, please get in touch with us, we are here for you.