For women with absolute uterine factor infertility, the uterus transplant program at Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health offers this life-changing moment by providing a solution to infertility due to the absence of a uterus
Baylor University Medical Center is the first transplant program in the world to offer uterus transplants outside of a clinical trial.
Our uterus transplant program in Dallas is the only program in the United States to deliver babies using uteri from both living and deceased donors and the first uterus transplant program in the nation to successfully deliver two babies from one transplanted uterus.
Uterus transplant recipient eligibility
Any woman with uterine factor infertility due to lack of the uterus (born without a uterus or lost the uterus in young age for a benign or malignant condition) or presence of a nonfunctioning uterus, is a potential candidate for uterus transplant.
- Of childbearing age (20-40 years old)
- Cancer-free for five years
- Healthy weight
- Negative for HIV, hepatitis B and C
- No history of diabetes
- Non-smoker
To start the process for determining eligibility, fill out the questionnaire:
Uterus transplant donor eligibility
- Ages 30-50 years old
- Healthy weight
- Cancer-free for five years
- Negative for HIV and hepatitis
- No history of hypertension or diabetes
Matching the recipient to a donor is done by blood type. A uterus can be donated from either a living or deceased donor.
A living uterus donor who has completed her own childbearing can give her uterus for the purpose of transplantation to a female recipient. A living donor can either be non-directed, unknown to the recipient, or directed, known to the recipient.
A deceased uterus donor is a female who is willing to donate her uterus after death.
A uterus transplant or donation is not for everyone, and there is an extensive screening process prior to acceptance to the program.
Uterus transplant process
- Complete the online questionnaire. This initial screening is used to determine if you are a potential candidate for the procedure.
- Once approved for evaluation, a financial deposit is required.
- Evaluation happens at the Baylor University Medical Center transplant clinic in Dallas, TX. The series of appointments typically take two days.
- If you do not already have embryos, you will see a fertility doctor who will retrieve eggs and sperm to create embryos. This can be done at a clinic of your choice in Dallas.
- After in vitro fertilization (IVF), you will be matched with either a living or deceased donor.
- You then will have the uterus transplant surgery. Recovery takes about three months.
After uterus transplant surgery in Dallas, patients are seen in clinic every two to four weeks for gynecological exams, labs to monitor your health and immunosuppressive therapy, and biopsies.
You may return to work after surgery restrictions are lifted. However, you will have many appointments throughout the process of uterus transplant and pregnancy that will require you to miss work.
Recipients: What to expect
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Are there any weight restrictions?
It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle while preparing for transplant and pregnancy. You should be at a healthy weight, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or below to proceed with a uterus transplant.
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Do I need to move to Dallas?
No, but there are specific times you will be required to stay in Dallas, including:
- Evaluation appointments
- Transplant surgery and several weeks after surgery
- Additional times specific to each uterus transplant recipient, as determined by your transplant team
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What if I don't know someone who is willing to donate her uterus?
A living donor is usually the quickest way to receive a transplant. We will screen any potential donors who come forward on your behalf.
We also can match you with a non-directed donor or deceased donor.
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Are there robotic surgery options for uterus transplants?Yes, learn more about robotic transplantation.
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After uterus transplant, will I get a menstrual period?
Getting a menstrual period means the transplanted uterus is functioning. Most recipients get a menstrual period within four to six weeks after transplant. Periods usually occur monthly until pregnancy.
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After uterus transplant, is there any chance of getting pregnant naturally (without IVF)?
No. During surgery, the uterus is transplanted with the cervix but not the fallopian tubes. You cannot get pregnant naturally without fallopian tubes, as they act as a bridge between the ovaries and the uterus.
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Will I have the transplanted uterus for the rest of my life?
No. Uterus transplant is a temporary transplant to allow for one or two pregnancies. The transplanted uterus is removed after the first or second pregnancy is complete. Once the transplanted uterus is removed, you will stop taking immunosuppressive medications.
Pregnancy
After you recover from the transplant surgery, embryo transfer is done three to six months after the transplant surgery, which hopefully results in a successful pregnancy.
At this time, we follow the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s recommendation to do single embryo transfer to decrease the risks associated with twins.
Due to the organ transplant and the immunosuppressive medications you must take, it is considered a high-risk pregnancy. You will be followed by a maternal fetal medicine doctor and a high-risk obstetrician to monitor the health of you and the baby.
Delivery of your baby will be by caesarean section. With the guidance of your physician team, the transplanted uterus is either removed after delivery of the first child or retained to try for a second pregnancy.
Donors: What to expect
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How long does it take a uterus donor to recover?
Most uterus donors state they “feel recovered” two to four weeks after donation.
Uterus donors are restricted from heavy lifting and should refrain from intercourse for three months after donation
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What are a donor’s financial considerations?
- Medical expenses are the costs of the hospital and physician services for the donor evaluation, donation surgery and routine follow-up visits. These medical expenses are covered by the recipient. A donor should not have costs associated with these services or complications from the hysterectomy.
- Non-medical expenses are out-of-pocket costs for travel and lodging, parking, meals, lost wages from work, child care costs, caregiver expenses, etc. Organizations such as the National Living Donor Assistance Center may be able to assist a donor with non-medical expenses.
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Are uterus donors required to have insurance?
Uterus donors are required to have health insurance so that they have access to care in case of non-donor-related health issues after donation.
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How long does the donor stay in the hospital after the uterus donation surgery?
Uterus donors stay in the hospital an average of two nights in the hospital with robotic surgery. If the procedure needs to be longer the hospital stay will be longer. Before discharge the patient should be up walking, eating and drinking, having a bowel movement and urinating after the catheter in her bladder is removed.
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Are donors paid to donate their uterus?
It is illegal for a living donor to be compensated or paid directly or indirectly by the recipient, recipient family or any other party.
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What kind of follow-up is required after uterus donation?
Donors are seen in the transplant clinic 10 to 14 days after surgery. After that, donors are seen in the transplant clinic at three months. We currently follow donors for 2 years at six months, one year and two years after surgery via telehealth visits. We are always happy to see our donors in person if they prefer in person visits.
Uterus donation process
The potential uterus donor will have a thorough medical and psychosocial evaluation to determine if she is healthy and if there are any risks related to the surgery, anesthesia and/or donation that may impact the donor’s health in the future.
Uterus donation is a scheduled surgery. The uterus is removed from the donor in a procedure called a hysterectomy. In addition to removing the uterus, the surgeon also removes the vessels that supply blood to the uterus, the fallopian tubes, cervix and vaginal cuff. On average, the surgery lasts about six hours. The most common ways to perform this hysterectomy are:
- Robotic hysterectomy—A minimally invasive procedure to remove the uterus laparoscopically through five smaller incisions
- Open hysterectomy—An open surgery to remove the uterus through an incision that is vertical from belly button to pubic hairline
During surgery, the donor is under general anesthesia. While under anesthesia, a nerve block is used to reduce incisional pain. Oral pain medication is also prescribed.
As with any surgery, the risks include adverse reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, blood clots and infection. Your surgeon will discuss risks of surgery with you.
Financial
Uterus transplantation is not covered by insurance, but several components of the process may be covered. For example, your insurance may cover some costs related to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or delivery of the baby.
Uterus transplant in Dallas is offered as a private pay service. The special package pricing amount is based on an estimate of the hospital charges and certain physician charges for uterus transplant-related services. A transplant team financial representative will discuss the requirements with you.
The cost of the uterus transplant is paid in multiple payments:
- An initial payment is due prior to starting the uterus transplant evaluation
- A second payment is due in full within six months of medical approval for transplant and prior to transplant surgery
- A third payment is required if the recipient is approved for a second pregnancy and delivery
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Is uterus transplantation covered by insurance?
Uterus transplantation is not covered by insurance, but several components of the process may be covered. For example, your insurance may cover some costs related to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or delivery of the baby.
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How much does a uterus transplant cost?
Uterus transplant is offered as a private pay service. The special package pricing amount is based on an estimate of the hospital charges and certain physician charges for uterus transplant-related services. A transplant team financial representative will discuss the requirements with you.
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What services are covered by the special package pricing?
- Donor evaluation, donor hospitalization for hysterectomy, and care for donor hysterectomy-related complications
- Recipient pre-transplant evaluation, transplant hospitalization, immunosuppression therapy, and post-transplant follow-up care, including removal of the transplanted uterus after delivery
- Potential for two deliveries, including prenatal care and medical management of complications of pregnancies and deliveries
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What services are not covered by special package pricing?
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) and all other services related to becoming pregnant. All physician, hospital and other charges for these services, whether elective or medically necessary, are your financial responsibility
- Newborn follow-up and all pediatric care after delivery. All physician, hospital and other charges for these services, whether elective or medically necessary, are your financial responsibility
- All other medical care, whether elective or medically necessary, that is not in the list of included services are your financial responsibility
For all services that are excluded from the deposit, you will need to make all payment arrangements directly with the physician, hospital or other healthcare provider that you choose to provide the excluded service
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What are the acceptable methods of payment?
Payment can be made by check, bank wire transfer, and/or credit card.
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What is the average cost of IVF?
The approximate cost of IVF is $15,000 to $20,000.
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Am I required to use specific physicians during the uterus transplant process?
For any services covered by the special package pricing, you must use specific physicians selected by the uterus transplant team.
Many of these physicians were involved in the uterus transplant clinical trial and have experience with this innovative treatment. These physicians have a contract with the hospital so that they can be paid from your payment.
Creating monumental moments
Giuliano Testa, MD
Transplant Surgery
Chairman of Baylor Scott & White Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Chief of Abdominal Transplant
Liza Johannesson, MD, PhD
Gynecologic Surgery
Medical Director of Uterus Transplant
Kristin Posey Wallis, BSN, RNC
Nurse Coordinator
Heather Pirtle, BSN, RNC
Nurse Coordinator
In the news
Visit our Scrubbing In blog or our Newsroom for the latest on uterus transplant.
"Sisterhood unlike any other": Women celebrate unique path to motherhood in Dallas
The Dallas Morning News | May 7, 2022
Jen Dingle, who took part in a Baylor University Medical Center program, was the first in the country to deliver two children after a uterus transplant.
Donors, recipients in Baylor's Uterine Transplant Program meet for Mother's Day
NBC DFW | May 7, 2022
The program through Baylor University’s Medical Center launched in early 2016
Jennifer Dingle is first in country to deliver 2 babies after uterus transplant
NBC DFW | December 23, 2020
Jennifer Dingle was told she'd never be able to carry her own child. Now, she's done so twice as part of Baylor University Medical Center's uterine transplant program.
North Texas family celebrates another new life from uterus transplant clinical trial
CBS DFW | October 23, 2020
Another new life has been brought into the world thanks to a landmark uterus transplant clinical trial at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
New Mother Shares Story of Hope After Successful Uterus Transplant at Baylor University Medical Center
Good Morning America | February 28, 2020
Like most women in their early 20s, Madison Gibbs is healthy, but there's one thing that she's struggled with her entire life. Gibbs, 22, who grew up with a condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome or MRKH, was born without a uterus
Uterus transplant recipients meet their donors
Today Show | February 12, 2020
For Peyton Meave and Kayla Edwards, pregnancy would have never been possible without another woman’s donation of her uterus. Following transplant surgeries and successful pregnancies, Meave and Edwards got to meet their donors, Elaine Candeloro and Jonna Hawkes.
These women received uterus transplants
Tamron Hall Show | October 17, 2019
Peyton Meave and Kayla Edwards are the first American transplant recipients. Edwards and Meave share their journey to motherhood with Tamron Hall. Plus, Dr. Liza Johannesson discusses the medical advancements that are making the transplants possible.
Women open up about their successful uterus transplants
Today Show | October 1, 2019
TODAY’s Sheinelle Jones sits down with Peyton Meave and Kayla Edwards, two mothers who didn’t believe carrying a baby was in the cards for them until they took part in a clinical trial at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. They open up about the uterus transplants they received and how their procedures allowed them to have babies on their own.
Thousands of women are born without a uterus. A new procedure offers them hope
Time Magazine | January 3, 2019
Many parents will tell you their child is miraculous. But the mere existence of this particular boy, brings the miracle somehow closer to literal. The boy’s birth was historic, the first time a baby had been born from a transplanted uterus in the U.S., and offered hope to women around the world who thought they’d never carry a child.
A message of hope for those struggling with infertility
Scrubbing In | January 9, 2019
Talking to the parents of the first baby born in the U.S. after a uterus transplant, you wouldn’t know they were part of a major medical milestone in a landmark clinical trial. They’re just like any other set of parents — overjoyed and in love with their precious baby boy, who recently celebrated his first birthday.
Baylor University Medical Center announces first baby born in U.S. from transplanted uterus
Scrubbing In | December 1, 2017
Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health, today announced that a baby has been born to a mother who received a uterus transplant as part of a landmark clinical trial conducted over the past year and a half.
Publications and research
Baylor University Medical Center is also a leader in uterus transplant research.