通过子宫移植创造出来的小生命(3)

Following the procedure Jennifer was prescribed a regimen of anti-rejection drugs while doctors monitored the transplanted uterus to make sure her body was accepting the new organ.

Then about six months later, an embryo was implanted in the new uterus; 10 days after that Jennifer learned she was pregnant.

"The first time I felt him kicking I cried for 20 minutes," she says. "I was probably the happiest pregnant person. I loved all the things people complain about.

All the stretch marks. I liked being tired. I never got nauseous. And I really felt great and kinda glowing."

Even though the transplant put her at higher risk for complications-and the baby at risk from the anti-rejection drugs- Jennifer says her pregnancy was mostly uneventful right up until that checkup

where her higher blood-pressure reading prompted doctors to perform the C-section early. "It happened so quickly-and then the baby was here," says Drew.

"It'd be easier for me to list all the emotions I wasn't feeling in that moment than to list all the ones I was. I was just bawling my eyes out in the operating room."

After discussions with doctors, the couple decided to have Jennifer's transplanted uterus removed immediately after she gave birth- primarily so she could stop taking the anti-rejection drugs, which weakened her immune system.

"I'd rather be healthy for one baby," she says, "than try to strain myself to try to do two pregnancies." So far parenthood has been everything the couple could have hoped for.

"We're just thrilled to be doing normal things after this crazy journey," says Drew. "A lot of parents don't look forward to changing diapers, but I think it's awesome.