Innovation can change ideas into reality. Uterus transplants have moved from dreams to trials, and are now a real treatment option.
There are different paths that may have brought you to a uterus transplant. Our experts are here to keep that journey going. We’re leaders in uterus transplants — completing the first uterus transplant from a deceased donor in North America. We’ve helped people move through the transplant process and successfully give birth during clinical trials. Now, our team has moved beyond trials and established a path for transplant and pregnancy.
At Cleveland Clinic, we’re here to be your guide. Our team can answer your questions, talk through your options and support you throughout it all. A uterus transplant may be a long process, but we’re ready to go through it with you.
In 2016, Cleveland Clinic was the first North American medical center to complete a uterus transplant from a deceased donor. Since then, our team has used that experience to help people through transplant, pregnancy, delivery and recovery. Learn about the journey that’s brought us to today.
Your goals, questions and hopes for pregnancy matter here. We take the time to understand your health, fertility goals and support system and then talk with you about whether pursuing this option may fit your life.
A transplant is a team effort. Many people come together to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible and that your needs are met. Our experts have paved the way for success with this complex procedure — from evaluation and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to transplant surgery, pregnancy care and ongoing support, we’re here for you. Meet our team.
Uterus transplants are still rare, and Cleveland Clinic’s experience continues to shape this evolving care. Our research and real-world knowledge allow us to guide you through every step, from evaluation and donor matching to pregnancy and delivery.
You may be able to make some appointments with your care team online. During these virtual visits, you can ask questions, talk through your care and stay connected when an in-person visit isn’t needed.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
The path from thinking about a uterus transplant to giving birth by C-section can be a long one. There are many steps along the way, and sometimes there can be unexpected curves. The important thing is having a trusted team to guide you through each step.
This entire process is very personal, and we take the time to get to know you and the people around you. Our team explains everything. We’ll talk about the risks, the timeline and the long-term goals. One thing that’s different about a uterus transplant is that it’s temporary. After your final live birth, our team will remove the transplanted uterus during a hysterectomy.
But that’s at the end of this journey. The beginning will typically start with a detailed evaluation to see if you’re a candidate for this surgery.
Uterus transplant isn’t the right fit for everyone. Before you start a full evaluation, our team will consider a few important things to see if this option may be possible for you. You may qualify if:
If you meet these qualifications, we’ll move on to an in-depth evaluation.
Your evaluation is when we learn all about you. We ask a lot of questions so we can get details about your health, answer your questions and talk about everything this process may involve. Together, we’ll answer the big question — if a uterus transplant is possible for you.
Some things we might go over include:
You’ll have a team of specialists working together from the start. There are a lot of people you’ll get to know during your transplant and pregnancy. They’ll plan your care, keep you updated and support you at each stage. Your team may include these providers, along with other specialists as needed:
We provide uterus transplant evaluations and care at our Main Campus in Cleveland.
When it’s time to move ahead with the transplant process, we’ll explain each step and help you feel prepared. There are many things to do before you have transplant surgery and pregnancy.
Fertility treatment is one of the early steps. This might feel out of order because you haven’t received the new uterus yet, but it’s important to start here. Your fertility team will explain what assisted reproductive technology is involved and what will need to happen before you have surgery.
This may include:
Our team then creates embryos through IVF by fertilizing the eggs with sperm in our fertility lab. We’ll safely freeze and store these embryos before your surgery.
This fertility care may also be completed at a location closer to home, depending on your situation, after discussion with your care team.
When it’s time to try for a pregnancy after your transplant, a stored embryo will need to be transferred to your new uterus. We’ll talk with you about timing and what happens before this step.
Cleveland Clinic uses living uterus donation. Donors must be between the ages of 18 and 45 with at least one prior successful birth and two or fewer prior C-sections. Finding the best possible donor uterus match is the key to this entire voyage. To find the right match, we’ll consider important factors like:
Matching can happen quickly, or it may take longer than expected. Sometimes, a possible donor becomes available but isn’t the right fit. If that happens, we’ll keep looking and keep you updated along the way.
Once a donor match is available, we can move forward with scheduling your transplant. Our team will help you take the next steps to prepare for surgery. We’ll review your care plan, answer your questions and go over what to expect before your transplant. You’ll want to:
You've spent a long time planning and preparing for this moment — your uterus transplant. Before your transplant, your surgeon will go over the details. This includes talking about possible risks and what to expect from the procedure and recovery.
Uterus transplant surgery can be done through a larger incision (open surgery). Or we may do it robotically through smaller incisions. Your transplant surgeon will talk with you about which approach may be best for you. During surgery, your team will place the donor uterus in your pelvis. They’ll then connect it to your vagina and blood vessels. These connections help blood flow to the uterus so it can start to work properly.
After transplant surgery, your body needs time to heal and adjust. You’ll keep taking anti-rejection medications and have regular visits with your care team. During these visits, we’ll check how the transplanted uterus is healing and working, making sure blood flows to it. We’ll also continue to keep an eye out for signs of rejection.
Rejection happens when your immune system sees the transplanted organ as an invader and attacks it. We’ll do regular bloodwork and cervical biopsies to check for any changes or complications. We’ll also look for common signs like fever, flu-like symptoms, and pain or swelling in and around the transplant site.
You may start having periods after transplant surgery. This is a good sign that the transplanted uterus is working. If your uterus heals well and is healthy, we’ll try to plan for the first embryo transfer about six to 12 months after your transplant.
Once you’ve recovered from the transplant, you’re ready to start the next leg of your journey — embryo transfer.
During this process, your provider uses a thin tube to place one stored embryo through your vagina and into the transplanted uterus. There’s no surgery needed for an embryo transfer.
After your uterus transplant, scar tissue may form in your vagina. This is common, and your care team will know how to treat it. We’ll keep working with you toward achieving successful embryo transfer and pregnancy.
After your transplant, the goal is to have two live births. Throughout pregnancy, delivery and recovery, we’ll be right by your side. Your care will include regular visits and support from a team that understands high-risk pregnancies. You may have frequent tests to check your health and the overall progress of your pregnancy. These tests could include:
After a long journey, our goal is to help you reach a major milestone — childbirth. As you welcome your new family member and begin recovery, we’re here to guide you through the final stretch and what to expect along the way.
Your delivery will happen through a planned C-section. It helps your team prepare for this high-risk delivery. Your maternal-fetal medicine, gynecology and transplant teams will plan your delivery together, follow you closely and be ready to respond if anything changes.
You’ll have regular follow-up visits with your care team as you recover from your C-section and adjust to life with your baby. During these visits, we’ll talk with you about what comes next.
This could include the timing of another pregnancy, if that’s part of your plan. We’ll also talk about when the transplanted uterus should be removed.
A uterus transplant is designed to be temporary. For most people, after one or two live births, it will be time to remove the donated organ during a hysterectomy. Once we do this, you can stop taking anti-rejection medications.
Becoming a living uterus donor is a generous and caring choice. It may help someone without a working uterus get pregnant and give birth. If you’re interested in donating, the first step is filling out an interest form. From there, our team will review your information and contact you to talk more about your health history and possible next steps.
In general, living uterus donors should:
If you meet the first screening criteria, we’ll guide you through each step and make sure you understand what donation may involve before you make any decisions. This may include an evaluation with a health history review, physical exam, bloodwork and ultrasound.
We’ll also talk with you about the donation surgery, recovery and what to expect if you’re added to our donor pool.
If we find a possible match for your uterus, we’ll meet with you again to talk more about robotic surgery and answer your questions before moving forward.
A uterus transplant or being a living donor are amazing medical advancements. But moving down this path is also a big and amazing thing for people who have hoped for the chances it offers. The road can be a long one. If you decide to start down it, know that you’ll never be alone.
At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll have an expert team around you to support you the whole way. We’ll be there during the highs and lows. We’ll wait with you for the match you need, celebrate the wins and hold your hand during the losses. When you’re ready to start this journey toward a uterus transplant, we’ll be here to help.
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