In a landmark achievement for reproductive medicine, Grace Davidson, 36, has become the first woman in the UK to give birth following a womb transplant.
This medical milestone not only provides a life-changing solution for Davidson, who was born without a functioning womb, but also signals the beginning of a potential new era for women facing similar reproductive challenges.
The birth of baby Amy Isabel, named after both her aunt, the donor of the womb, and the surgeon leading the womb transplant program, has profound implications for women who have previously been unable to conceive due to the absence of a uterus.
This breakthrough could offer many women a chance at motherhood, sparking a wider conversation about the future of womb transplants in the UK and beyond.
A Pioneering Transplant
In February 2023, Grace Davidson underwent a womb transplant from her sister, Amy Purdie, in a pioneering procedure conducted by a team of more than 30 medical professionals at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.
The transplant was made possible through the charity Womb Transplant UK and led by Professor Richard Smith, a gynaecological surgeon who has been researching womb transplantation for over two decades.
Grace was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a rare condition where the uterus is either underdeveloped or missing, but she has functioning ovaries.
The procedure was considered a success, and Grace became pregnant on her first attempt at IVF. Baby Amy Isabel was delivered by Caesarean section at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London on February 27, 2025.
This marks a significant achievement in the UK’s womb transplant programme, which has already completed three other womb transplants using deceased donors. These successes offer hope that more women, particularly those born without a womb or who have lost their uterus due to medical conditions, could one day experience the joy of motherhood.
Experts predict that up to 30 womb transplants could be carried out annually in the UK in the future, though logistical and ethical challenges remain.
The Future of Womb Transplants in the UK
The procedure to transplant a womb, which typically costs around £25,000, is fully funded by Womb Transplant UK. The NHS takes over once pregnancy is confirmed via IVF. This model allows the medical procedure to progress without impacting NHS waiting lists.
While the operation is complex, requiring a team of specialists, the long-term success rate for womb transplants appears promising. Worldwide, more than 135 womb transplants have been performed, resulting in the birth of approximately 65 babies.
The success of the UK’s first womb transplant could lead to more widespread availability of this option, particularly as the transplant program expands to include friends or even altruistic donors, as is common in the United States.
