The First Baby Ever Born from a Transplanted Uterus

(Photo: The Lancet)

3 years ago, I mentioned that researchers in Sweden were planning the world's first uterus transplant. This would have offered new options for women for whom fertility is a lost cause. According to Dr. Mats Brannstrom of the University of Gothenburg, their efforts have been fruitful. Brannstrom and his colleagues published an article in the medical journal The Lancet reporting on the first successful live birth from a transplanted uterus.

Last month, a 36-year old woman who received one of the transplanted uteri gave birth to a premature but healthy baby boy. She had been born without a uterus, but had healthy ovaries. A 61-year old friend of her family donated her uterus to the woman. 6 weeks after she gave birth, the woman had a period, which indicates that the uterus remains healthy. She could try for a second baby, but the AP reports that she's not considering that right now.

-via io9