taking my uterus home

I am having a hyst for prolapse the end of June. Although I am beyond child bearing years this hit me like a ton of bricks, right square in the center of my feminine self image. I would like to bring my uterus home with me on discharge and have a private ceremony/burial. What are the legal ramifications involved hee? What should I expect from my MDs and the hospital when I make this request? Any strategies to help me achieve this goal would be very, very much appreciated.

Thank you,
cemeterywoman......new york state

I plan to ask to see my uterus when they remove it during surgery (I will be having a spinal). I haven't suffered from fibroids or endometriosis like so many here, so I don't habor any negativity toward mine. It has served me well, (four kids), it's just making a fast exit on it's own.

When I read your post, it struck a nerve. My first reaction was that it would be a fitting gesture. Then I thought about the practicality of it. How would I transport it home? Who would help me with the burial? What if I was too weak to get to it for a while - would I have to store it in my refrigerator? My family doesn't need any more evidence that I am a little strange.

I guess I will stick with my original plan. Let us know how it goes for you!
-Janet

I was under the impression that the uterus is sent to the Pathology Dept. and dissected. I could be wrong though.

I was told by my Dr that every bit of tissue that's removed from the body is always sent to Pathology for analysis. Not sure if you can ask for it back after pathology is finished with it. It all sounds a bit too gory for me to contemplate.

Hugs,
Marie

Call the pathology department at the hospital where you are going and ask about this. All tissue is sent to pathology, particularly if there is any question of cancer or adenomyosis.

But in Jewish tradition, for example, Orthodox Jews are supposed to be buried with ALL their organs, and I have heard of patients keeping gall bladders, etc. for just this eventuality. The pathology department has certainly had this type of request before (you don't need to go into detail about why you want it) and they should be able to help you.

Good luck -- with your request, and with your surgery!!



Audrey

I tried to do this too.

I was told quite definitively:

Your uterus is going to be biopsied to hell and back, there's no way we could give it back to you.

I was rather disappointed...but ultimately, if it's not being biopsied, I suppose you *could* actually get a legal request to obtain it, you know?

Good luck!

Tess

A friend of my brother took her placenta home after childbirth. She kept it in her freezer for a while. Haven't heard if she still has it.

My sister in law asked that pictures be taken of her uterus. That seemed to satisfy her. I don't know if she actually asked to take uterus home...I would agree with others that you probably can't take it home because all removed tissues are biopsied...but you can ask your dr or hospital pathology dept for their policy

As I know my gyn always films the operations for educational purposes (he teaches at the university) I could watch this video afterwards. Of course it was a silent movie, no explanation, but it helped me to say farewell to my uterus. I still felt sad for a long time, that this total hysterectomy happened to me.

My surgeon took a few photos and showed me at my post op visit which was kind of satisfying as I was able to see firsthand how sick my uterus was and it helped provide a bit of closure for me as I was devastated at the prospect of having a hysterectomy at my age (31)