'I'm so thankful': Woman receives first uterus transplant in United States

'I've prayed that God would allow me the opportunity to experience pregnancy.'

Surgeons at the Cleveland Clinic performed the first uterus transplant in the United States on 26-year-old Lindsay, who was told she was barren when she was only 16-years-old.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The historic surgery took place on Wednesday and lasted nine hours, according to PBS STAT. Lindsay, whose last name was not released, received her new uterus from a cadaver and by Thursday was reported to be in stable condition.
 

The transplant is one of ten the Cleveland Clinic will be giving in its clinical trial. The goal is to give each of the ten women an opportunity to get pregnant and give birth before removing each uterus so they can stop taking anti-rejection medications.
 
The trials are based on the success of uterus transplants and births in Sweden.
 
Another woman taking part in the trials explained: "I crave that experience. I want the morning sickness, the backaches, the feet swelling. I want to feel the baby move. That is something I've wanted for as long as I can remember."
 
After the transplant, each woman must wait one year and undergo regular check-ups before they can attempt to conceive.
 

"We must remember a uterine transplant is not just about a surgery and about moving a uterus from here to there. It's about having a healthy baby," Cleveland Clinic surgeon Dr. Rebecca Flyckt said.
 
Dr. Ruth Farrell, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Cleveland Clinic added, "We hope this gives women better options."
 
Following her uterus transplant, Lindsey sat in a wheelchair beside her husband, Blake, at a press conference where she read a written statement:
 
"First and foremost, I would like to take a moment to express the immense gratitude I feel toward my donor's family. They have provided me with a gift I will never be able to repay, and I am beyond thankful for them. However, the reason I chose to speak today is because I want to be open and honest and to share my story.
 

"And that began when I was 16 and was told I would never have children. And from that moment on, I've prayed that God would allow me the opportunity to experience pregnancy. And here we are today, at the beginning of that journey.
 
"I am so thankful to this amazing team of doctors and of the nurses and staff who worked around the clock to ensure my safety and I feel like I found a new family in all of them."

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