Decision making and informed consent in uterus transplant recipients: A mixed-methods study of the Dallas uterus transplant study (DUETS) participants

Background: Uterus transplantation (Utx) has achieved clinical success but little is known about motivations and experiences of UTx recipients. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 UTx recipients in addition to collecting quantitative demographic and clinical data. Closed-ended interview questions were treated as categorical variables. Thematic analysis was performed on qualitative data. Bivariate analysis tested associations between categorical variables. Results: Themes that emerged included: the decision to pursue UTx is a process, primary motivations for UTx are specific to the experience of gestation, and alternative options did not offer the same value as UTx. There was no association between disease etiology, clinical status, or perception of UTx risk with information needs or donor preference. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that UTx is a unique treatment option that some women with AUFI find preferable to adoption and surrogacy and, as such, should be discussed as a parenthood option with women diagnosed with AUFI.