Motherhood of women with uterine factor infertility

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this paper is to present alternative ways for women with uterine factor infertility to achieve motherhood. Material and methods. Analysis of professional literature including the issues of surrogate motherhood, uterine transplantation and ectogenesis. Results. The infertility caused by uterine factor affects 3-5% of women in the world. There are also women who wish to conceive a baby out of their own genetic material, despite having a structurally abnormal uterus or lacking this organ altogether. Due to considerable advancements in reproductive medicine, the needs of such women can now be met via extracorporeal fertilisation and embryo implantation into the uterine cavity of another woman - surrogacy, or in special cases, via uterus transplantation. Another controversial concept is ectogenesis, i.e. technology which would allow for the growth of human embryos outside the mother's body in an artificial uterus. The surrogate is considered when treatment and other reproduction methods have not worked well. This procedure is legal and accepted in some countries, while in others it is strongly opposed. Conclusions. There is growing demand for accurate and modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods allowing for successful reproduction. The proposed solutions may seem unreal, but the results of the research carried out to embody them seem to be promising.