Uterus transplants?

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU.

So I'm off today and I am watching Dr. Phil and there are 4 docs on the show answering health questions and the topic of womb transplants was brought up. For OB nurses (or any nurse for that matter), do you think a uterus should be transplanted just so a woman can 'feel' giving birth? I would think like with any other transplant, the risks are great. What about rejection? Just curious as I had never heard of this before. What do you guys think about that?

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I guess I feel about this the way I feel about pretty much everything; it's not really my business what someone else wants to do with/to their own body. As long as the women doing it are adequately informed of the risks involved, they should be allowed to make that decision for themselves.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Who do they get the uterus from? A live donor or a deceased? I dont think of a uterus as a "life saving" surgery. So in my opinion why risk surgery and rejection for something you dont need to keep you alive?? Then again I was blessed with a uterus that works so maybe I dont have the right to have an opinion on the topic.

Wonder how many births were recorded from a donated uterus. Why I am facinated by this topic I dont know. Lack of sleep maybe???

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here's an article from 1/2007, about this procedure.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16637583/

leslie

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Specializes in cardiac.

They can have mine! I'll gladly give it up. I'm done with it. And, if it could help a childless woman have a baby of her own, then, that's all the better. I'm a firm believer in organ donation. My husband is against it. We have fought over this issue many times. He says it's against nature. I say that if God didn't want us to do this, then she would have never given man or woman the brains or power to do so. I think it would be one the most precious gifts a person could give. I always tell myself, what if my child needed a life saving transplant.(A little different, I know) I would want someone to commit a selfless act such as this so that someone could enjoy life. Just my 2 cents.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.
They can have mine! I'll gladly give it up. I'm done with it. And, if it could help a childless woman have a baby of her own, then, that's all the better. I'm a firm believer in organ donation. My husband is against it. We have fought over this issue many times. He says it's against nature. I say that if God didn't want us to do this, then she would have never given man or woman the brains or power to do so. I think it would be one the most precious gifts a person could give. I always tell myself, what if my child needed a life saving transplant.(A little different, I know) I would want someone to commit a selfless act such as this so that someone could enjoy life. Just my 2 cents.

While your post is very true and I feel those same feelings on organ donation. On the flip side, your looking at an elective surgery only so that a woman can feel the joy of giving birth. Yet there is another post just a few above this one about a pact of teenagers getting pregant--what about adoption? The foster care system is full children that need parents.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Another thing is that since most docs nowadays are hesitant about doing VBACs, they're not going to let a woman with a completely incised uterus contract/labor, for fear of uterine rupture. Once you cut a muscle like that, especially all the way around, you severely weaken it....

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Woulodn't anti-rejection drugs cause the fetus to be expelled?

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

according to the article in the link above the cost is : the cost is unknown but could top $500,000, including two weeks of hospitalizationthe cost is unknown but could top $500,000, including two weeks of hospitalization.

thats alot of money and risk to mom just to be able to deliver a baby.

not to mention the cost for research on this. geez is there not a better use of this drs time and resources??

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Specializes in cardiac.
While your post is very true and I feel those same feelings on organ donation. On the flip side, your looking at an elective surgery only so that a woman can feel the joy of giving birth. Yet there is another post just a few above this one about a pact of teenagers getting pregant--what about adoption? The foster care system is full children that need parents.
I can honestly say that I would give mine in order for a woman to have a child. I would feel good about my choice. It is elective. Yes. But, hey, why not? I have no need for it. It worked great for my two kids and I'm sure it could be a fabulous home for someone in need.
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I think some organs shouldn't be transplanted- I have never thought about it before but I am very intrigued. I will give it some more thought....despite how I feel I wouldn't pass judgement on anyone who wanted to risk it. I am also an organ donor.

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Specializes in Me Surge.

I think that as soon as this becomes available that, people will be pushing for it to be covered by insurance. Very expensive for a none life saving organ transplant. It doesn't seem worth the risk. And like others have mentioned the are so many children who really need a home.

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