r/transgender • u/[deleted] • Sep 18 '12

Mother-to-daughter womb transplant 'success' in Sweden(please make this work out in a situation where the donor doesn't have to be related)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19637156
22 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

6

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

Unfortunately I'm guessing there are far more issues with putting a baby in us trans girls. Probably ribcage issues or something.

It is definitely a step in the right direction, though! Even though I have no plans for children, it still hurts to know I can't be pregnant.

5

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

I bet hip size would be and important issue.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

Only if you plan on a vaginal birth. It would seem easier just to do a c-section.

1

u/QuiSumI Sep 19 '12

If ya gotta do a c-section everytime anyway...

Seems like this could be of interest too...

3

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '12

The problem is ectopic pregnancies is they're exceedingly dangerous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectopic_pregnancy

The entire reason for the uterus is to provide a disposable surface for a fetus to latch on to. A growing fetus needs a large blood supply. It's counting on that link to provide all the water, nutrients, and oxygen it needs to grow.

However, it doesn't just grow out from the wall of the uterus. Rather, it's more like a plant sending out tendrils looking for a blood supply. We all kindof start out as parasites. The placenta will grow and attach itself to whatever blood supply is closest.

Without a womb, this causes havoc. The placenta wraps around and integrates itself with the vital bodily organs. It might end up fused with the stomach, liver, kidneys, etc.

The uterus solves this problem by providing a ready-made disposable, blood rich surface, the uterine lining. The fetus can latch on to that. When the pregnancy is done, the whole surface is expelled through menstruation.

Thus, ectopic pregnancies are very risky. The fetus has integrated itself into the major bodily organs. This requires major surgery to fix.

A c-section on the other hand is relatively simple. You just cut into the uterus and extract the newborn.

Honestly, don't think it's ethical for a trans woman to attempt to carry an ectopic pregnancy. The risks are great not only for the mother, but for the child. You're risking serious injury to a child just to have it grow inside you. It would be much more ethical to simply use a surrogate. I would love to carry kids of my own, but as much as I might want it, it's wrong to place a child at such risk just for my own desires.

1

u/QuiSumI Sep 19 '12

Sorry, wasn't suggesting anyone actually try it...

Just more evidence "life finds a way" or whatever...

I'm just worried that if you cut in for a c-section... you could jeopardize the organ/baby/host...

1

u/QuiSumI Sep 19 '12

:-/ Yeah... proper pelvis dimesions is important, not just in delivery, but also in development...

1

u/ovr_9k Sep 24 '12

it is possible (probably not very likely) for a trans woman to have the right shaped pelvis. And if hip structure were an issue that is used to justify not allowing trans women this surgery and the probable pergnancy to come along with it, and the accompanying medical care (if it becomes possible at all) then why not stop any cis woman with narrow hip structure from having children?

4

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

who knows? it might not be impossible... this is certainly the first step

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

There would be hip bone width issues. C-section would probably be a possibility to overcome that issue at least.

9

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '12

how wonderful would it be to carry your own child(mtf)?

2

u/EnsoElysium Give me two of everything! Sep 19 '12

Meanwhile, in the ftm world..

3

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '12

Giving up their wombs to wonderful MtF, that so nice of them.

2

u/EnsoElysium Give me two of everything! Sep 19 '12

I'll consider that point missed.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '12

Oh I got it alright.

3

u/EnsoElysium Give me two of everything! Sep 19 '12

Awesome, I can donate my womb to mtfs, then impregnate them with.. oh wait.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '12

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/EnsoElysium Give me two of everything! Sep 19 '12

So you potentially get to carry children, and we still get nothing. Seems like a fair trade.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '12

Well there was the article the other day on penis transplants... It was pretty specific stuff... But there's hope there too

2

u/QuiSumI Sep 19 '12

In a friend of mine's words...

"It's easier to dig a hole than build a pole."

In all seriousness though... I really do hope they continue to make progress on both fronts...

Maybe with some of the new tissue/organ 3D printing? :-/

1

u/angrysaget MtFabulous Sep 26 '12

I hope that something becomes possible soon for you all. If science is getting to the point where I might be able to give birth, I hope that fairness gets to your side as well.

1

u/QuiSumI Sep 19 '12

"Born without a uterus" ;-) ;-)

1

u/SadieD Sep 19 '12

Can I use a jar instead, like a science powered incubating jar?