Giuliano Testa

As a teenager, I was told that I would never be able to carry my own child. I had been diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, or MRKH, meaning I was born without a uterus.

Then in 2016, I met Dr. Giuliano Testa, an expert in kidney and liver transplantation at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He had gathered a team of experts for a groundbreaking clinical trial, and I was one of 10 women selected to participate. A few months later, I had a functioning transplanted uterus—the first in the U.S.

The experience was not without setbacks. But through it all, Dr. Testa was a pillar of strength and assurance. And that confidence was contagious.

This past November, I delivered a beautiful, healthy baby boy. As I held him in my arms, I caught Dr. Testa’s eye. He had worked so hard to make this happen—not just for me, but for the millions of families who have been told that parenthood through pregnancy is impossible. It has been the honor of my life to be a small part of his miracle.

This writer, who wishes to remain anonymous, gave birth to the first baby born via uterus transplant in the U.S.