Baby boy Hugo becomes first child in the UK to be born to a mother who received a womb from a dead donor
A baby boy has become the first child born to a mother who received a womb from a deceased donor in the UK.
Hugo Powell was born by Caesarean section at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London in December, weighing 3.1kg.
This transplant marks the first birth in the UK using a uterus from a deceased donor; Only two cases had previously been reported in Europe.
Last year, surgeons announced the birth of the first baby in the UK from a uterine transplant from a living donor.
In the latest case, Hugo’s mother, Grace Bell, an IT program manager, was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH), a rare condition that results in an underdeveloped or missing uterus.
Her father, Steve Powell, works in finance and the couple, both in their 30s, live in the south of England.
Miss Bell, who was diagnosed with MRKH when she was 16, said: ‘It’s just a miracle. I never, ever thought this was possible.
‘I am the happiest person I have ever been in my life.’
Hugo was born at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in December, weighing 6lb 130z (3.1kg).
Grace Bell and her son Hugo Powell were born in the United Kingdom, the first child of a mother who used a womb from a deceased donor.
Ms Bell said she thinks about her womb donor and the generosity of the donor’s family every day.
‘There are no words to thank my donor and his family enough,’ he added.
‘I hope they know that my child will always know about his incredible talents and the miracle that brought him into this world.
‘A part of him will live on forever.’
The other five organs of the donor were transplanted to four people, saving the lives of others.
Her family said: ‘Losing our daughter has shattered our world in ways beyond words.
‘The pain is immense and the pain of his absence is something we will carry forever.
‘Yet despite this unimaginable pain, we took some comfort in knowing that his final act, his choice, was one of pure generosity.
Hugo being removed from his mother’s transplanted womb during a caesarean section at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital
‘Through organ donation he has given other families the gift of precious time, hope, healing and now life.
‘As his parents, we are immensely proud of the legacy he leaves behind; a legacy of compassion, courage and love that continues to touch lives even after his passing.
‘We urge others to consider donating, just as our daughter selflessly wished, so more people in desperate need can be given a chance at life.’
Approximately 25 to 30 babies worldwide are born from deceased uterus donations.
More than two-thirds of uterine transplants are usually from living donors, while one-third come from deceased donors.
Isabel Quiroga, consultant surgeon and transplant clinical lead at the Oxford Transplant Centre, part of Oxford University Hospitals, performed Ms Bell’s seven-hour uterine transplant in 2024.
A few months later, Ms Bell underwent fertility treatment at the Lister Fertility Clinic in London.
Ms Quiroga said: ‘It has been a long journey and we are absolutely delighted, especially for our patient who has been in our program for many years.
Grace Bell and Steven Powell have their son, Hugo Powell, in the United Kingdom, the first child of a mother who used a womb from a deceased donor.
‘Her dream was to become a mother, so we are very happy.’
Ms Bell and Mr Powell may decide to have a second baby, after which surgeons will remove the transplanted uterus.
If left in place, Ms. Bell would face a lifetime of risk of immunosuppressant medication.
Charity Womb Transplant UK has now performed and paid for five womb transplants in the UK; Two are made from a living donor and three are made from a deceased donor.
Two babies have been born and three transplant patients have not yet had a baby but are receiving special in vitro fertilization treatment.
Hugo’s birth follows the UK’s first uterine transplant in 2023; In this transplant, another MRKH patient, Grace Davidson, received a uterus, also called a uterus, as a living donation from her older sister, Amy.
Transplants from deceased donors only occur when the families of the deceased are asked if they would like to donate the uterus.
Becky Clarke, from NHS Blood and Transplant, said: ‘We are so grateful to the families who have chosen to give additional consent to donate to this programme.’
