Episode 212: Ashley and Justyna – Uterus Donor & Recipient Come Together

Ashley. Ashley was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She is the mother to two beautiful children and a decade deep into marriage with her high school sweetheart. They live on a small “farmette” with all kinds of furry creatures! She loves to garden, sew clothing, cook, and bake! Surrogacy is something that was on her heart for years after a close family member battled infertility. In 2021, she completed a successful journey and delivered a healthy baby to a set of Intended Parents that became an extended part of her family. Ashley says that standing witness to a set of parents seeing their child’s face for the first time was an experience she will never forget. Now being a case manager, she has the opportunity to help so many more couples become parents!

In 2023, feeling the pull to give back in another big way – Ashley applied for a Uterus Transplant clinical trial at Penn Medicine. In December of 2023, she became the 3rd living donor at Penn to donate her uterus to another woman in hopes that she would be able to carry her own baby!

Justyna. After a long journey, time, and determination, Justyna was the successful recipient of a donated uterus. Specifically, she received Ashley’s donated uterus! Justyna carried a pregnancy and gave birth to a daughter with the help of Ashley’s “beast” of a uterus. 

Listen as Ashley and Justyna shares with Ellen and Jenn:

• Check out episode 208 where Ashley tells the story of her decision to become a uterus donor.
• Justyna facing loss, struggling to get pregnant.
• Getting pregnant, but at 35 weeks, as Justyna was being rushed into emergency surgery, her husband was told he might need to choose whose life to save, that of his wife or their baby daughter. Justyna begged him to choose their baby. 
• Justyna and her baby survived the surgery, but they had to take Justyna’s uterus. 
• Longing for a big family, researching options, and coming across Penn’s uterus donation program. Signing up in 2018. 
• Years of delay due to COVID. Then in 2022 Justyna’s biggest supporter, her mom, passed away. A week later, Justyna got the call from Penn that they were restarting the program. Like a gift from her mom. 
• After surgery, receiving a basket of gifts from the donor (Ashley) – with a uterus-printed blanket, uterus pillow, and uterus earrings. Laughing hurt, but she couldn’t help it. 
• The first embryo transfer working and Justyna declaring “this uterus is a beast!”
• Announcing the pregnancy through her daughter’s birthday gift. So many cheers of excitement!
• Ashley and Justyna meeting through letters at first, then in person, and becoming family. 

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: [phone].

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