First woman in Greece gives birth after ovarian tissue transplant

·

A 39-year-old woman in Greece, Irini Koka, made history by giving birth to a baby boy following an ovarian tissue transplant.

According to ekathimerini.com, the baby, weighing 3 kilograms and 20 grams, was delivered via caesarean section.

Irini Koka was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma 16 years ago, and underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In 2013, the specific hematological cancer reappeared, only this time she resorted to cryopreservation of ovarian tissue to protect her fertility, before proceeding with the prescribed treatment.

“For the first time in Greek history, a pregnancy and birth of a healthy child were achieved after ovarian tissue transplantation,” said Konstantinos Pantos, her doctor and general secretary of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine.

“Science now enables us to overcome more and more obstacles. With this method, 210 children have been born internationally, since the first child in the world in 2004, with a birth rate of 21%, with similar pregnancy rates, both from natural conception and after IVF,” he added.

“My biggest dream came true. I fought and managed, with the help of the medical team, to win the greatest gift of my life, my baby boy. I would like to say to all women who are going through something similar to me that it is worth trying,” Koka said.

Source: ekathimerini

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

SBS World News highlights The Greek Herald’s 100-year legacy

Australia’s multicultural media landscape has turned its attention to SBS News, which this week aired a feature on The Greek Herald.

Greek and Australian Ambassadors honour shared ANZAC and Cretan legacy

The Ambassador of Greece to Australia and the Ambassador of Australia to Greece have issued commemorative messages.

Cretan Federation leaders honour Battle of Crete legacy on 85th anniversary

Leaders of the Cretan Federation of Australia and NZ have issued commemorative messages marking the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

Tracking ANZACs from Australia to Crete through art

An artist-driven exhibition retracing the path of ANZAC forces during the World War II campaigns in Greece and Crete will open this month.

History, memory and geopolitics explored in Dean Kalimniou’s Pontus lecture

The Greek Community of Melbourne’s History and Culture Seminar Series continued on Tuesday evening with a deeply engaging lecture.

You May Also Like

Celebrating 50 years of the Department of Modern Greek at the University of Sydney

The Department of Modern Greek at the University of Sydney has announced a special event marking its 50th anniversary milestone.

‘Two dead soldiers were hugging’: Chris Zaropoulos’ first-hand account of October 28, 1940, in Greece

Chris Zaropoulos was only 9 years old when the Italians launched an air attack on Greek soldiers on October 28, 1940.

Jewellery, Hypnotherapy and the Greek islands: The dynamic life of Claire Aristides

Diamond expert, business owner, hypnotherapist, girl boss, wife, and mother — these are all terms that can be associated with C. Aristides.