In a moment that’s being described as nothing short of miraculous, a healthy baby boy has been born in Britain to a mother who received a womb transplanted from a deceased donor—a first for the UK, and a milestone in reproductive medicine. The birth of Hugo Richard Norman Powell in December 2025 at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London marks only the third time in Europe that a child has been delivered following such a transplant, according to reporting from Sky News and the BBC.
Grace Bell, an IT programme manager in her 30s from southern England, had long believed she would never experience pregnancy. Diagnosed at 16 with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome—a rare condition characterized by an underdeveloped or absent womb—Bell was told by doctors that carrying her own child would be impossible. "When I was 16, I was told that this would never be possible," she recalled, speaking to Sky News. "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’s remarkable arrival is the result of years of medical research, the generosity of an organ donor’s family, and the determination of Bell and her partner, Steve Powell, who works in finance. The couple, who live in Kent, had considered surrogacy before they learned of the possibility of a womb transplant. Their journey took a dramatic turn in June 2024, when Bell underwent a 10-hour transplant operation at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford, as part of the UK Investigational Study into Transplantation of the Uterus (INSITU), funded by the charity Womb Transplant UK.
After months of recovery, Bell began fertility treatment, including IVF and embryo transfer at The Lister Fertility Clinic in London. The process culminated in a caesarean section just before Christmas 2025, when Hugo was delivered weighing 6lb 13oz (3.1kg). “I remember holding Steve’s hand during the birth, and trying to peep over the curtain before Hugo was placed in my arms,” Bell told Sky News. Powell described the moment as "overwhelming," saying, "From where we started—first meeting—to where we are today, with Hugo, is nothing short of a miracle after everything we've been through."
The couple named their son Hugo Richard Norman Powell, honoring Professor Richard Smith, clinical lead of Womb Transplant UK, and Bell’s grandfather, Norman. Smith, who has spent over 25 years researching womb transplantation and was present at Hugo’s birth, was visibly moved by the tribute. "That did make me cry, straight up. It's been quite emotional, very emotional," he admitted to Sky News.
The donor’s family, who remain anonymous, expressed both sorrow and pride at their daughter’s legacy. In a statement shared with the BBC, they said: “Losing our daughter has shattered our world in ways we can barely put into words. 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.” Their daughter’s organs—including the womb—were transplanted into five recipients, saving and transforming lives.
Womb donation from deceased donors is subject to stricter consent rules than other organs in the UK. Unlike kidneys or hearts, wombs are not covered by the standard organ donor register. Families must give specific permission after agreeing to donate other organs, a process that adds a layer of complexity but also ensures the wishes of the donor and their relatives are respected. According to Sky News, approximately 25 to 30 babies have been born globally from deceased womb donations, and more than 100 womb transplants worldwide have resulted in over 70 healthy births.
Bell’s successful transplant was part of a broader clinical research trial in the UK. Three deceased donor womb transplants have taken place as part of the trial, but Hugo is the first baby born as a result. The UK also saw its first birth from a living donor womb transplant in early 2025, when a woman received her sister’s womb. Additional transplants from close relatives are being planned, offering hope to more women with MRKH or similar conditions.
Professor Smith highlighted the significance of this breakthrough, telling the BBC: “A huge team of people” had contributed to the process, from transplant surgery to embryo transfer and delivery. He emphasized that the birth “showed that girls and young women who were told they didn’t have a womb could now have hope of carrying their own child.” Isabel Quiroga, co-lead of the UK research team, described the birth as “a huge milestone, giving more hope to women who do not have a womb and are looking to start a family.”
Despite the joy, the journey has not been without its challenges. Bell described the emotional toll of her diagnosis and the years of uncertainty that followed. “About 16 years ago, I was diagnosed with MRKH. It was a tough journey. I must admit, a very sad journey,” she said on Mornings with Ridge and Frost. She recounted how, after being told as a teenager that she had no womb, she “went into the hospital toilets and uncontrollably cried.” She credits the unwavering support of her partner, Steve, for helping her through the process. Powell, for his part, called Bell an “inspiration” and said the story “gives hope to women in the same circumstances as Grace, with MRKH.”
The couple’s gratitude to the donor family is profound. Bell told Sky News: “There are no words to say thank you enough to my donor and her family. Their kindness and selflessness to a complete stranger is the reason I have been able to fulfil my lifelong dream of being a mum. I hope they know that my child will always know of their incredible gift, and the miracle that brought him into this world.”
Looking ahead, Bell and Powell may decide to have a second child. Afterward, surgeons plan to remove the transplanted womb to avoid the need for lifelong immunosuppressant drugs, which could carry long-term health risks. This approach follows the practice established in previous cases worldwide.
For Bell, the hope is that her experience will pave the way for others. “My hope is that one day this option to motherhood will become much more accessible, so others may have the same chance I have been given,” she said, echoing the sentiments of the medical team and donor family alike.
As the UK continues to break new ground in reproductive medicine, the story of Hugo’s birth stands as a testament to scientific progress, the generosity of donors, and the resilience of those who dream of parenthood against all odds.