Singapore’s first uterus transplant gives birth

A uterus transplant can give women with the condition the opportunity to carry a pregnancy.

While Singapore’s medical scene is still new to uterus transplantation, Sweden is a pioneer. In 2014, a Swedish medical team delivered the world’s first baby born following a successful living-donor uterus transplant, marking a major milestone in medical history.

“Everyone was very excited when we saw it. We all said we wanted to take part, and in the end, we actually all signed up,” Marishelle said.

However, the clinical trial had extremely stringent requirements. Participants had to be physically and mentally healthy and find a uterus donor with a compatible blood type themselves.

Marishelle recalled that she and her mother had different blood types and that she only has a younger brother.

She was fortunate, however, when a female relative heard about her situation and agreed to become a donor, as she had already planned to undergo a hysterectomy.

Underwent 2 years of intensive medical examinations

To ensure she was physically fit enough to withstand the highly complex and high-risk surgery, Marishelle underwent two years of intensive medical examinations, along with interviews and stringent assessments by the organ transplant ethics committee and other parties.

She said the entire process was “extremely difficult”, as she had to go through tests almost every week and sat through countless interviews.

“I also fully understood that even if the transplant was successful, IVF might not necessarily work. But I was very determined and never thought about giving up,” she said.

A subsequent research report on Singapore’s first uterus transplant revealed that the operation was performed at Singapore General Hospital on Nov 25, 2023.

The Singapore Medical Council granted a special temporary licence for three uterus transplant specialists from the Swedish team to fly to Singapore and assist with the surgery.

According to the report, the donor’s surgery lasted 10 hours and 30 minutes, while the simultaneous surgery on the recipient lasted six hours and 20 minutes.

Getting her first period at 31 years old

Following the transplant, Marishelle had to take long-term medication to prevent organ rejection and infection.

On New Year’s Day in 2024, she experienced her first menstrual period — a sign that the transplanted uterus was functioning normally.

In November 2025, she successfully underwent IVF.

However, because a transplanted uterus carries a higher risk of premature delivery, she had to spend much of her pregnancy on bed rest to protect the baby.

Eventually, at around seven months into her pregnancy, baby girl Sophie was delivered by Caesarean section.

Throughout their long journey to parenthood, Alexander remained Marishelle’s strongest source of emotional support. From caring for her after the surgery to taking on his new role as a father, he has been by her side every step of the way.

While Marishelle was deeply grateful to Professor Tan, she also wanted to give herself some credit.

“I want to pat myself on the shoulder because we finally made it through. Over these four years, we have experienced so many ups and downs, physically, mentally and emotionally.

“To finally hold Sophie in my arms and become a mother — that feeling is truly beyond words,” she said.

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