A Coffs Harbour woman has successfully undergone Australia’s first uterus transplant to receive her own mother’s uterus. Source: Joanna Malinowska/Freestocks
A 30-year-old Coffs Harbour mother has become the first person in Australia to undergo surgery for a uterus transplant in a trial run by Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women.
Kirsty Bryant underwent the historic surgery on January 10th, after her own mother agreed to donate her uterus to Bryant.
“I feel incredibly lucky that not only did I get accepted into the trial but mum and I have now been the first,” Bryant said.
She chose to enter the research trial after her uterus was removed during a life-saving hysterectomy. The procedure was required after she suffered a major haemorrhage during the birth of her daughter.
Her mother, Michelle Hayton (53), said it was an easy decision to donate her uterus to her daughter.
Layton said, “She called me and she said to me, ‘Hey mum, hypothetically if you could have a hysterectomy and I could have your uterus, would that be something you would do’,
“I didn’t hesitate, I straight away said, ‘Yep, that’s not a problem’.
“Kirsty’s not just my daughter, she’s my best friend and I love her so much.”
During her interview on 60 Minutes, Bryant said she was still processing the gift her mother had given her.
“I am going to potentially, all fingers and toes crossed, carry a baby in the same uterus, in the same womb I was growing in,” said Bryant.
“It will hopefully be a great story to tell my baby one day.”
Dr Rebecca Deans is the lead surgeon on the trial. Regarding the procedure, Dr Deans said, “I couldn’t have been happier. It was such a wonderful day to actually finally get there and be in that room. The buzz was amazing. And then it all went to plan, and Kirsty’s doing beautifully.”
But the work isn’t over, as Bryant is preparing to attempt to conceive again via IVF.
There are currently six frozen embryos waiting for her at The Royal Hospital for Women. Dr Deans is still determining if Bryant’s new uterus is ready for the next step.
Early signs indicate her uterus is responding well, and Bryant could be pregnant again by the end of the year.
“It could be somewhere between three and six months from the surgery where we can start implanting those embryos … and each of those embryos has a 30 to 50 per cent chance of success,” says Dr Dean.
Even though she isn’t guaranteed to conceive again, Bryant and her mum say they have no regrets.
As Bryant says, “To not put my hand up and give it a go, I think would be a massive regret for myself. Even if it doesn’t go to plan, the research and the information that they will get from this, in Australia, is going to be worth it. I just want to give hope and give options for other women out there.”
