Grace Davidson, 36, who received a donated womb from her sister in a pioneering operation, has given birth to daughter Amy – a landmark moment in British reproductive medicine.
Grace Davidson, a 36‑year‑old woman born without a functioning uterus due to Mayer‑Rokitansky‑Küster‑Hauser syndrome, has made history as the first woman in the UK to give birth following a womb transplant. In February 2023, Grace underwent a groundbreaking procedure at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, where surgeons transplanted her sister Amy’s womb—a donation made after thorough evaluation and counselling. Two years later, at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in west London, Grace delivered her baby girl, affectionately named Amy in honour of the generous donor.
The operation, which took nearly 17 hours and involved a team of more than 30 medics, has been celebrated as nothing short of a miracle. Surgeons noted that despite the risks involved—such as the long‑term side effects of daily immunosuppressants—Grace’s swift recovery and immediate positive response to IVF were remarkable. Remarkably, she experienced her first period within two weeks of the transplant and conceived on her first attempt at IVF.
Grace, originally from Scotland and now residing in north London with her husband Angus, described holding baby Amy – who weighed just over two kilos – as “incredible” and “surreal.” She added that the entire pregnancy had been a profoundly special journey. Both Grace and Angus expressed immense gratitude towards Amy, the sister who selflessly donated her womb, an act that has not only transformed Grace’s life but has also paved the way for future advances in reproductive science. They now hope for a second child using the same transplanted organ, after which it will be removed to allow Grace to cease the use of immunosuppressant drugs.
The successful procedure marks only the beginning of what could become a wider clinical trial in the UK. The surgical team has since performed three additional womb transplants using organs from deceased donors and plans a total of 15 transplants as part of the trial. A charity, Womb Transplant UK, has been instrumental in funding these operations, offering hope to approximately 15,000 UK women of childbearing age who lack a functioning uterus.
Surgeon Isabel Quiroga, who led the transplant team, described the operation as “life-enhancing and life-creating” – a sentiment echoed by Professor Richard Smith, a gynaecological surgeon with over two decades of experience in the field. Their combined passion and expertise have given rise to a new era in reproductive medicine, one in which many more British women may soon have the opportunity to experience the joy of childbirth.
Grace’s story is being hailed as a “little miracle” – a testament to both medical ingenuity and the deep bonds of sisterly love.
