In a remarkable first for the United Kingdom, a baby boy named Hugo has been born to a mother who received a womb transplant from a deceased donor.
Born at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London, Hugo weighed a healthy 3.09kg—and carried a story that feels almost unbelievable.
His mother, Grace Bell, was born with MRKH syndrome, meaning she didn’t have a functioning womb.
As a teenager, she was told motherhood like this wasn’t possible. Fast forward to today—and she calls Hugo’s birth a “miracle.”
Breakthrough In Transplants
But how did this happen? After receiving the transplant in 2024, Bell began fertility treatment.
Months later, Hugo arrived. Behind the scenes, years of effort made it possible.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey,” said Prof Richard Smith of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. “Just amazing.”
And then there’s the donor—a story of loss and generosity intertwined.
Her family, grieving deeply, still chose to give others a chance at life.
Here’s the bigger picture: womb transplants are still rare, especially from deceased donors.
Yet they’re opening doors once thought permanently closed.
So, is this just one miracle—or the beginning of many?
