What is Uterus Transplant for Uterine Agenesis and its Cost?

A New Path to Motherhood: Understanding Uterus Transplant for Uterine Agenesis and Its Cost

There have been recent advances in medical science for women who are unable to carry a pregnancy due to the absence of a uterus. It is in the form of a uterus transplant procedure. Once considered impossible, this groundbreaking procedure offers a chance to experience pregnancy and childbirth firsthand.

What is Uterine Agenesis?

Uterine agenesis is a congenital condition in which the uterus fails to develop before birth. Women with this condition have normal ovaries and external genitalia. However, they are not able to menstruate or carry a pregnancy due to the absence of a womb.

A uterus transplant, in this instance, offers a groundbreaking solution for women with this condition who wish to experience pregnancy and childbirth.

What is the Cost of a Uterus Transplant for Uterine Agenesis in India?

The cost of a uterus transplant in India typically ranges from ₹33 lakhs to ₹37 lakhs, depending on the hospital, donor type, and post-operative care. Uterus transplant is still an experimental procedure in India and is offered only at select research hospitals with multidisciplinary transplant teams.

How Long Does the Uterus Transplant Procedure Take?

The procedure for a uterus transplant takes between 6 and 8 hours. However, the exact duration can vary. The surgery to remove the uterus from a living donor takes even longer (up to 10 hours). It is often longer than the time it takes for a uterus transplant surgery. This is because surgeons need to be very careful to preserve the whole uterus.

They also need to make sure that no damage is made to the surrounding tissues of the donor.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Uterus Transplant Procedure?

On average, the total time that it takes for a patient to recover from a uterus transplant procedure is 3 - 6 months post-surgery. However, this timeline can also vary depending upon individual health, surgical outcomes and how well the body responds to the transplanted uterus and immunosuppressive medications.

What are the Possible Complications of Uterus Transplant for Uterine Agenesis?

While the general risks of getting a uterus transplant apply to all recipients, women with uterine agenesis might face unique complications due to their anatomy and condition. Here are a few possible complications for such women:

• Failure of Uterine Graft -This commonly happens due to blood clots that block the blood vessels that supply the uterus.
• Rejection of Uterus -It can happen if the recipient's immune system recognises the transplanted organ as foreign and attacks it.
• Possible Surgical Risks - Patients can face bleeding, infection and potential injury to the surrounding organs.

The healthcare team thoroughly explains all potential risks and complications of surgery to patients before the transplant procedure. While uterus transplant is a relatively new procedure, ongoing research continues to evaluate long-term outcomes including graft survival, pregnancy success, and effects of immunosuppressive therapy.

What is the Role of IVF in Uterus Transplant for Uterine Agenesis?

In the uterus transplant process for women with uterine agenesis, IVF plays a very vital role. This is because natural conception is not possible. Since the transplanted uterus does not connect to the fallopian tubes, the eggs cannot travel naturally for fertilisation.

Hence, before the transplant, doctors retrieve the eggs and then fertilise them in a lab and freeze the embryos. After the transplanted uterus is stable and functional, one or more embryos get transferred to the womb to initiate pregnancy.

Uterus transplant is a revolutionary option for women who have uterine agenesis and want to carry their child. It is a beacon of hope for many people with the condition of uterine agenesis. By understanding the costs, patients and their families can plan treatment budgets better for an optimal outcome.