In a remarkable medical breakthrough, a baby boy has made history as the first child in the UK to be born from a womb transplanted from a deceased donor. Grace Bell, 30, from Kent, who was born without a viable womb due to MRKH syndrome, welcomed her son Hugo ten weeks ago. Both she and her partner, Steve Powell, expressed their profound gratitude for the “incredible gift” that has changed their lives forever.
A Journey of Hope
Hugo entered the world just before Christmas 2025, weighing nearly 7lbs, at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in West London. Grace was diagnosed with MRKH syndrome, a condition that affects one in every 5,000 women in the UK, which means she has normal ovaries but no uterus. At just 16, she learned that she would not be able to carry her own child. The couple faced a challenging choice: pursue surrogacy or seek a womb transplant.
The moment Grace received the call about the available donor womb was life-changing. “I was in complete shock and really excited,” she recalled. However, she was also acutely aware of the sacrifice made by the donor and her family. “I think of my donor and her family every day and pray they find some peace in knowing their daughter gave me the biggest gift: the gift of life,” Grace shared, reflecting on the profound legacy left by the donor.
The Surgical Breakthrough
The successful womb transplant operation took place in June 2024 at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford, lasting approximately ten hours. Following the surgery, Grace underwent IVF treatment and embryo transfer at The Lister Fertility Clinic in London. When Hugo was finally born, she described the moment as “simply a miracle.”
“It felt surreal to see his little face, and it was as if I needed to wake up from a dream,” she added, highlighting the overwhelming emotions tied to motherhood.
Pioneering Research and Future Prospects
Hugo’s birth is part of a groundbreaking clinical research trial in the UK, which has seen ten womb transplants performed from deceased donors, with Hugo being the first successful birth from this initiative. Prior to this, in early 2025, Amy was born as a result of the first ever living womb donation in the UK, where her mother received her sister’s womb.
Professor Richard Smith, a consultant gynaecologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, has been at the forefront of womb transplantation research for over 25 years. He was present at Hugo’s birth and expressed hope for future women facing similar challenges. “This birth shows that girls and young women who were told they didn’t have a womb can now have hope of carrying their own child,” he remarked.
Transplant surgeon Isabel Quiroga, who co-led the team, described Hugo’s birth as a significant advancement in organ transplantation in the UK. She stated, “Very few babies have been born in Europe as a result of their mothers receiving a womb from a deceased donor.” The medical community is optimistic that this procedure could soon become a standard treatment option for women of child-bearing age who lack a viable womb.
The Gift of Life
Grace and Steve have considered the possibility of expanding their family, with plans to have the transplanted womb removed after another potential pregnancy. This step is essential to prevent Grace from needing a lifetime of medication to suppress her immune system, which would otherwise attack the transplanted organ.
The decision to donate a womb differs from other organ donations, as it requires specific consent from the families of potential donors. In the UK, unless individuals opt out, they are assumed to agree to organ donation upon death. The family of the anonymous donor expressed “tremendous pride” in their daughter’s legacy, highlighting the profound impact of her decision to donate, which has already benefited multiple recipients.
Why it Matters
The birth of Hugo marks a significant milestone in reproductive medicine, offering hope to countless women facing the challenges of infertility due to the absence of a uterus. It underscores the importance of organ donation and the potential for medical advancements to change lives. This groundbreaking achievement not only paves the way for more womb transplants but also raises awareness about the possibilities of motherhood for those previously deemed unable to conceive. As more women benefit from such pioneering procedures, the landscape of reproductive health continues to evolve, inspiring hope and new beginnings for many families.
