Historic Birth in the UK: First Child Delivered from Womb Transplant
Grace Davidson becomes the first mother in the UK to give birth following a womb transplant, marking a significant advancement in reproductive medicine.
In a groundbreaking medical advancement, a baby girl has been born in the UK following a womb transplant, making history as the first child to be delivered from such a procedure.
Grace Davidson, a 36-year-old dietitian from north London, gave birth to her daughter, Amy Isabel, in February 2025, following a surgical transplant that took place in 2023. The womb was donated by her older sister, Amy Purdie, who is 42 years old.
The birth has been heralded by medical professionals as a significant milestone in reproductive health.
Stuart Lavery, a consultant in reproductive medicine at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, remarked that this event represents not only a personal miracle for the family but also a testament to the dedication of the medical team that supported the pioneering procedure.
Professor Alison Campbell, chief scientific officer at Care Fertility, emphasized the extraordinary nature of this advancement in reproductive medicine, stating that it expands the possibilities for women who previously faced the prospect of being unable to carry a child.
Dr. Melanie Davies, a professor of reproductive medicine and consultant gynaecologist, noted the comprehensive teamwork involved in achieving this success.
She pointed out that significant skills across multiple medical specialties were essential, including gynaecology, organ transplantation, and maternal medicine.
Prof. Richard Smith, a key figure in developing the womb transplantation concept, was acknowledged for his long-term vision and commitment to the field.
The procedure involved Grace going through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) before receiving the transplant, followed by immunosuppressive medication post-surgery to prevent organ rejection.
The transplanted womb is typically removed once the family is complete.
The operation, while hopeful, comes with considerable challenges and risks, particularly for the living donor.
Womb transplant procedures, while not unique to the UK, are still relatively rare, with previous successful births recorded in countries such as Sweden.
This significant achievement in the UK responds to the needs of women who are born without a functional womb or who have lost theirs due to medical conditions, impacting approximately 15,000 women of childbearing age in the UK.
The eligibility criteria for the womb transplant program require participating women to be between the ages of 24 and 40, or up to 42 years old if embryos are frozen before reaching 38. Experts predict that the UK may conduct between 20 and 30 womb transplants annually in the future, potentially offering new hope to many families wishing to expand through their own pregnancy.
Grace Davidson, a 36-year-old dietitian from north London, gave birth to her daughter, Amy Isabel, in February 2025, following a surgical transplant that took place in 2023. The womb was donated by her older sister, Amy Purdie, who is 42 years old.
The birth has been heralded by medical professionals as a significant milestone in reproductive health.
Stuart Lavery, a consultant in reproductive medicine at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, remarked that this event represents not only a personal miracle for the family but also a testament to the dedication of the medical team that supported the pioneering procedure.
Professor Alison Campbell, chief scientific officer at Care Fertility, emphasized the extraordinary nature of this advancement in reproductive medicine, stating that it expands the possibilities for women who previously faced the prospect of being unable to carry a child.
Dr. Melanie Davies, a professor of reproductive medicine and consultant gynaecologist, noted the comprehensive teamwork involved in achieving this success.
She pointed out that significant skills across multiple medical specialties were essential, including gynaecology, organ transplantation, and maternal medicine.
Prof. Richard Smith, a key figure in developing the womb transplantation concept, was acknowledged for his long-term vision and commitment to the field.
The procedure involved Grace going through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) before receiving the transplant, followed by immunosuppressive medication post-surgery to prevent organ rejection.
The transplanted womb is typically removed once the family is complete.
The operation, while hopeful, comes with considerable challenges and risks, particularly for the living donor.
Womb transplant procedures, while not unique to the UK, are still relatively rare, with previous successful births recorded in countries such as Sweden.
This significant achievement in the UK responds to the needs of women who are born without a functional womb or who have lost theirs due to medical conditions, impacting approximately 15,000 women of childbearing age in the UK.
The eligibility criteria for the womb transplant program require participating women to be between the ages of 24 and 40, or up to 42 years old if embryos are frozen before reaching 38. Experts predict that the UK may conduct between 20 and 30 womb transplants annually in the future, potentially offering new hope to many families wishing to expand through their own pregnancy.
