A baby boy has become the first child in the UK to be born to a mother who received a womb from a dead donor.
Hugo Powell was delivered by C-section at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London, in December, weighing 6lb 13oz (3.1kg).
The transplant marks the first birth in the UK using a womb from a deceased donor, with only two previous cases ever reported in Europe.
Last year, surgeons announced the UK's first baby born from a womb transplant involving a living donor.
In the latest case, Hugo's mother, Grace Bell, an IT programme manager, was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH), a rare condition resulting in an underdeveloped or missing womb.
His father, Steve Powell, works in finance, and the couple, who are both in their 30s, live in southern England.
Ms Bell, who was diagnosed with MRKH when she was 16, said: 'It's simply a miracle. I never, ever thought that this would be possible.
'I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life.'
Hugo was born weighing 6lb 130z (3.1kg) in December at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital
Grace Bell with her baby son Hugo Powell, the first child in the UK to be born to a mother using a womb from a dead donor
Ms Bell said she thinks of her womb donor every day and the generosity of the donor's family.
'There are no words to say thank you enough to my donor and her family,' she added.
'I hope they know that my child will always know of their incredible gift, and the miracle that brought him into this world.
'A part of her will live on forever.'
Five other organs from the donor were transplanted into four people, saving the lives of others.
Her parents said: 'Losing our daughter has shattered our world in ways we can barely put into words.
'The grief is overwhelming and the ache of her absence is something we will carry forever.
'Yet even in this unimaginable pain, we've found a small measure of solace in knowing that her final act, her choice, was one of pure generosity.
Hugo being removed from his mum's transplanted womb during a C-section at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital
'Through organ donation, she has given other families the precious gift of time, hope, healing and now life.
'As her parents, we feel tremendous pride at the legacy she leaves behind – a legacy of compassion, courage and love that continues to touch lives even after her passing.
'We urge others to consider donation so that more people in desperate need may be given the chance to live, just as our daughter so selflessly wished.'
About 25 to 30 babies have been born worldwide from deceased womb donation.
More than two-thirds of womb transplants generally involve living donors, while a third come from deceased donors.
Isabel Quiroga, consultant surgeon and clinical lead for organ retrieval at the Oxford Transplant Centre, part of Oxford University Hospitals, carried out the seven-hour womb transplant on Ms Bell in 2024.
Several months later, Ms Bell underwent fertility treatment at The Lister Fertility Clinic in London.
Miss Quiroga said: 'It has been a long journey, and certainly we are delighted, especially for our patient, who's been in our programme for a good number of years.
Grace Bell and Steven Powell with their baby son Hugo Powell, the first child in the UK to be born to a mother using a womb from a dead donor
'Her dream has been to be a mother, so we are totally elated.'
Ms Bell and Mr Powell may decide to have a second baby, after which surgeons will remove the transplanted womb.
If it was left in situ, Ms Bell would face a lifetime of immunosuppressant drugs, which carry risks.
Charity Womb Transplant UK has now performed and paid for five womb transplants in the UK – two involving a living donor and three using a deceased donor.
Two babies have been born and three transplant patients have not had a baby yet, but are undergoing private IVF.
Hugo's birth follows the UK's first womb transplant in 2023, which involved Grace Davidson, another MRKH patient, receiving a womb – also called the uterus – from her older sister, Amy, in a living donation.
Transplants from deceased donors only happen when the families of those who have died are asked specifically if they wish to donate the womb.
Becky Clarke, from NHS Blood and Transplant, said: 'We are very grateful to any families who choose to give the additional consent for donation to this programme.'
