Nation's first uterus transplant patient thanks donor, doctors
CLEVELAND (FOX) - For the first time, we are hearing from the 26-year old woman who received the nation's first uterus transplant.
Identified only as Lindsey, she read a brief statement at a press conference at the Cleveland Clinic, where she had the procedure.
She says at the age of 16, she was told she could never have children. She expressed immense gratitude towards her donor's family, saying, "they have provided me with a gift I'll never be able to repay."
"I want to be open and honest to share my story and that began when I was 16 and was told I would never have children, and from that moment on, I've prayed that God would allow me the opportunity to experience pregnancy," she continued. "Here we are today in the beginning of that journey. I am so thankful to this amazing team of doctors and all of the nurses and staff that have worked around the clock to ensure my safety and I feel like I have found a new family in all of them."
While doctors say everything went well during surgery, they admit patience is key in moving forward.
"We want the organ to be mature and stable before we can then start to implant the embryos hoping for pregnancy," Dr. Rebecca Flyckt explained.
Unlike other organs, the uterus transplant is designed to be temporary. After one or two babies, it will be removed or it could be rejected by the body.
In 2014, doctors in Sweden performed the first successful birth from a transplanted womb.