In September, a 36-year-old Swedish woman became the first ever to give birth from a transplanted womb. A new paper published in The Lancet provides a "proof of concept" report on the case.
"Absolute uterine factor infertility" is the only type of female infertility still considered to be untreatable. This condition is often a consequence of Rokitansky syndrome, which is when a woman is born without a womb. Adoption and surrogacy have so far been the only options for women with absolute uterine factor infertility to acquire motherhood.
However, the news of the first baby to be born from a woman with Rokitansky syndrome who received a womb transplant brings hope to women with forms of absolute uterine factor infertility.
The researchers who performed the transplant - from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden - have been investigating the viability of womb transplantation for over 10 years. Before attempting the procedure in humans, the researchers conducted trials in rodents and non-human primates.
In 2013, the researchers initiated transplants in nine women with absolute uterine factor infertility who had received wombs from live donors. The Swedish woman who recently gave birth was one of these women.
Although two of the women in the trial had to have hysterectomies during the initial months - because of severe infections and thrombosis - the team reported success in the other seven women.
✨ Trying to Conceive?
Our fertility supplements combine Myo-Inositol with essential vitamins to support healthy hormone balance and regular ovulation.
✓ Free shipping available | ✓ Trusted by millions of couples worldwide
These women began menstruating during the first 2-3 months after transplant. Although occasional episodes of "mild rejection" were detected in some of the women, the researchers were able to overcome this by prescribing a short course of immunosuppression therapy.
Outside of this trial, only two other womb transplants had been attempted. The first of these required the womb to be removed after 3 months, due to progressive uterine necrosis.
The second attempt involved a womb from a deceased donor being transplanted into a woman with Rokitansky syndrome. Although this woman became pregnant twice via embryo transfer, both pregnancies resulted in miscarriage before week 6.
Eggs were fertilized using IVF prior to mother receiving womb transplant
The Swedish woman who gave birth received her womb from a 61-year-old family friend. As the recipient had intact ovaries, she was able to produce eggs, which were then fertilized using IVF prior to the transplant.
A total of 11 embryos were produced and frozen using this method. One year after the womb transplant, one of these embryos was transferred to the transplanted womb.
Prof. Mats Brännström, who led the team of researchers, says that fetal growth was normal through the first 31 weeks of pregnancy. "We found only one episode of mild rejection during the pregnancy that was successfully treated with corticosteroids," he says, "and the woman was working full time until the day before delivery."
As a consequence of preeclampsia, the woman was admitted to hospital at 31 weeks and her baby was delivered by cesarean section 16 hours later.
Although an abnormal fetal heart rate had been detected when the woman was admitted to the hospital, in the days after being born, the baby scored as being in perfect health according to the Apgar rating scale for determining the health of newborns.
The infant was discharged from the neonatal unit after 10 days, and the researchers say that both mom and baby are continuing to do well.
According to Prof. Brännström:
"Our success is based on more than 10 years of intensive animal research and surgical training by our team and opens up the possibility of treating many young females worldwide that suffer from uterine infertility. What is more, we have demonstrated the feasibility of live-donor uterus transplantation, even from a postmenopausal donor."
🌱 Support Your Fertility Journey
Conceive Plus fertility supplements are clinically formulated to help regulate your cycle and support egg quality.
Currently, womb transplantation is not routinely available on the NHS as it remains an experimental procedure. Research trials are ongoing, but couples in the UK seeking this treatment would likely need to explore private or international options. The NHS does fund some fertility treatments, though availability varies by Integrated Care Board (ICB) area.
Conceive Plus — supporting you through pregnancy
What is Rokitansky syndrome and how common is it in the UK?
Rokitansky syndrome, also known as MRKH syndrome, is a condition where a woman is born without a womb or with an underdeveloped one. It affects approximately 1 in 5,000 women in the UK and is one of the main causes of absolute uterine factor infertility, which until now has been considered untreatable.
Can I have IVF if I don't have a
Conceive Plus Prenatal — available at conceiveplus.com
womb?
Traditional IVF requires a functioning womb for embryo implantation, so it hasn't been an option for women with absolute uterine factor infertility. However, this Swedish breakthrough shows that womb transplantation combined with IVF could potentially offer hope in the future. Currently, surrogacy remains the main alternative for having a genetically related child in the UK.
How do I get referred for fertility treatment if I have uterine problems?
Your first step should be visiting your GP, who can refer you to an NHS fertility specialist for assessment. NICE guidelines recommend referral after 12 months of trying to conceive, though women with known conditions affecting the womb may be referred sooner. Remember, 1 in 7 UK couples experience fertility issues, so seeking help is completely normal.
What fertility options are available for women with no womb in the UK?
For women with absolute uterine factor infertility, adoption and surrogacy are currently the main pathways to parenthood in the UK. Surrogacy arrangements must comply with UK law and are overseen by the HFEA. As womb transplantation research progresses, this may become another option in future years.
Are there UK clinical trials for womb transplants I can join?
Research into womb transplantation is being explored in the UK, with some hospitals investigating the feasibility of trials. You can check the NIHR Clinical Trials database or speak to your fertility consultant about any ongoing studies. It's worth noting that any future UK trials would need to meet strict HFEA and NHS ethical guidelines.
What are the risks of womb transplant surgery?
As demonstrated in the Swedish trial, risks include severe infection, blood clots (thrombosis), and organ rejection requiring immunosuppression therapy. Two of the nine women in the original study needed hysterectomies due to complications. This is why the procedure remains experimental and isn't yet part of standard fertility treatment options.
Trusted by Couples in Over 70 Countries
Start Your Fertility Journey With the Right Support
Conceive Plus Fertility Lubricant is specially formulated to be compatible with sperm, eggs, and embryos. Whether you are just starting out or have been trying for a while, our products are designed to work with your body — not against it.
