Miracle Baby Özlenen Reunites with the Medical Team Behind Her Birth

Baby Özlenen, born following Türkiye’s second successful uterus transplantation from a deceased donor, recently visited the medical team that helped make her birth possible and met with Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan.

A Remarkable Medical Milestone

At Akdeniz University Hospital, where the world's first uterus transplant from a deceased donor was performed, Türkiye’s second deceased-donor uterus transplantation took place on July 27, 2021.

The operation was led by Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan and Prof. Dr. Ömer Özkan, together with a multidisciplinary team of 40 healthcare professionals. During the 8.5-hour procedure, a uterus from a deceased donor was successfully transplanted to Havva Erdem.

Fourteen months later, Havva Erdem gave birth, becoming the mother of Baby Özlenen. More than three years after the birth, Havva Erdem, her husband Şükrü Erdem, and their daughter Özlenen returned to visit Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan and the medical team.

“They Have Become Like Our Own Children”

Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan expressed her happiness at seeing the family again:

“I am delighted to meet Havva Erdem, Şükrü Erdem, and their daughter Özlenen once again. Watching her grow and seeing her healthy development brings us great joy. Baby Ömer and Baby Özlenen have become like our own children. We miss them when we do not see them and always enjoy our reunions. I would like to thank the family for their visit.”

During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Özkan also received updates from the family regarding Özlenen’s growth and development.

“I Understand This Happiness Even More as She Grows”

Havva Erdem shared her experience of motherhood and the joy of watching her daughter grow:

“She is now over three years old. It is a wonderful feeling, and I understand its value even more as she grows. I was very happy when she was a baby, but now she has her own wishes and personality. She talks all the time and is always saying, ‘Mom, let’s do this’ or ‘Mom, let’s do that.’”

A Dream That Became Reality

Reflecting on the years before the transplant, Havva Erdem said:

“Before Baby Özlenen was born, one of the things that affected me most was seeing mothers and children together in parks. I would wonder whether I would ever have a child of my own and walk hand in hand with them. Now she constantly asks me to take her to the park and play with her. My dreams have come true, and I am very grateful for that. I hope everyone who wishes to become a parent can experience the same happiness.”

Hope for Future Uterus Transplant Patients

Havva Erdem also shared a message for women waiting for the opportunity to undergo uterus transplantation:

“There are many women who are eagerly waiting for uterus transplantation opportunities. They regularly ask us and our doctors for good news and closely follow the regulatory developments. I hope they will soon receive the news they are waiting for and have the chance to experience the same emotions and fulfillment.”

The visit concluded with a commemorative photograph of Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, Baby Özlenen, and her family, celebrating a remarkable journey of medical innovation, hope, and the gift of motherhood.