In a historic medical breakthrough, the United Kingdom has recorded its first birth from a uterus transplanted from a deceased donor. The baby boy was born in December at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London, weighing approximately three kilograms.

The mother, Grace Bell, was born with a rare condition known as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, in which the uterus is partially or completely absent. She was told in her teenage years that she would not be able to carry a child naturally. However, following a successful uterus transplant from a deceased donor — approved with the donor family’s consent — Grace was able to conceive and deliver a healthy baby.

Grace and her husband, Steve Powell, gave their son the middle name “Richard” in honor of Professor Richard Smith, the clinical lead at Womb Transplant UK and affiliated with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, who led the transplant program.

Globally, around 25 to 30 babies have been born following deceased donor womb transplants. According to NHS Blood and Transplant, more than 8,000 patients in the UK are currently awaiting organ transplants.

Grace expressed deep gratitude to the donor’s family, saying their generosity fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a mother.