In the UK, a baby has been born from a uterus transplanted from a deceased donor, marking a breakthrough in the British research program and only the third such case in Europe.
The UK has hit a medical milestone. Grace Bell, who was born without a uterus, gave birth to a healthy boy in December 2025 after a womb transplant from a deceased donor, as reported by EuroNews.
The boy was named Hugo Richard Norman Powell and was delivered via C-section at the Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London. Grace Bell became the second woman in the UK to give birth after a womb transplant, but the first in the case of a donation from a deceased person.
“There are no words to express my gratitude to my donor and her family. Their kindness and selflessness towards a complete stranger are the reason I could fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a mom,” said Bell.
Professor Richard Smith, co-leader of the UK research team, stated: “I am immensely happy for Grace, Steve, and their family. Being there at the birth and seeing little Hugo come into the world after years of research and this journey with the family was amazing.”
He also stressed that the success wouldn’t have been possible without the donor family's decision: “This was only possible because of the generosity of a family who decided to donate organs after tragically losing their daughter.”
Grace Bell believes this breakthrough will help other women too: “I hope that one day this path to motherhood will become much more accessible so that other women can have the same chance I did.” She added that her son will always know the story of the “incredible gift and miracle” that allowed him to come into the world.
