Second UK Woman Gives Birth After Groundbreaking Womb Transplant 24 February 2026
A woman in her early thirties has become the UK’s second mother to give birth following a womb transplant—and the first from a deceased donor. Grace Bell welcomed baby boy Hugo Richard Norman Powell by C-section at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London in December 2025. Both mother and son are doing well.
Historic Birth Thanks to Donor Family’s Gift
Grace never imagined she could carry her own child. She is overwhelmed with gratitude towards the donor and their family for their selflessness. The baby’s middle name, Richard, honours Professor Richard Smith, founder of the UK womb transplant programme. The clinical team believes Hugo is just the third baby born in Europe after a womb transplant from a deceased donor.
This milestone follows closely on the heels of the first UK birth from a live donor uterus—Grace’s sister Amy donated her womb, leading to the birth of baby Amy Isabel in 2025.
A Decades-Long Journey of Innovation
Womb transplant research has been progressing in the UK for over 25 years, led by experts including Professor Richard Smith and Miss Isabel Quiroga. The pioneering transplant work is funded by Womb Transplant UK charity, ensuring NHS patients face no financial burden. The programme runs two transplant streams:
- Living donor programme: Five transplants planned, each approved by the Human Tissue Authority.
- INSITU research programme: Uses deceased donor wombs, involving Imperial College Healthcare, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Blood and Transplant, and others.
The transplant operation took under seven hours, followed by IVF treatment and careful monitoring leading up to delivery.
Donor Family Brings Life from Tragedy
“Losing our daughter has shattered our world, but through organ donation, she has given precious gifts of time, hope, healing, and new life. We feel tremendous pride in her legacy.” – Donor family
NHS Blood and Transplant nurses worked closely with the donor’s family, who support womb donation alongside traditional organ donation. Most families approached have welcomed the option, despite its medical complexities.
Experts Celebrate a New Hope for Women Without Wombs
Around 1 in 5,000 UK women are born without a womb, unable to carry children naturally. Many lose their uterus to illness or cancer. Worldwide, over 100 womb transplants have taken place, resulting in more than 70 healthy babies.
“Grace’s journey shows that this life-changing procedure can give women the chance to carry their own babies. I hope this option becomes widely available.” – Grace Bell
“This is a huge milestone that offers new hope for women longing to be mums.” – Miss Isabel Quiroga, UK womb transplant lead
“A huge thank you to everyone involved—from transplant teams to maternity staff—for making this miracle possible.” – Miss Bryony Jones, obstetrician
“We are so grateful to the donor family and families who give extra consent for womb donation. It’s a precious gift that can create life.” – Becky Clarke, NHSBT nurse lead
“Years of clinical innovation and donor generosity have led to this first live birth after a deceased-donor womb transplant in the UK.” – Mr Benjamin Jones, fertility specialist
As baby Hugo grows, Grace and Steve look forward to a future filled with hope—a future born from groundbreaking research and extraordinary generosity.
