Womb for rent? UK’s first transplant baby stirs ethical questions

A British woman has made history by giving birth using her sister’s transplanted womb, daily mail reports.

Grace Davidson, 36, from North London, welcomed her baby girl, Amy Isabel, on February 27, 2024.

The birth marks the United Kingdom’s first successful case of childbirth following a womb transplant.

Grace, a dietitian, was born without a womb due to a condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome.

The syndrome affects the reproductive system and causes women to be born with absent or underdeveloped wombs.

Grace discovered her condition at the age of 19, which meant she could not carry a pregnancy naturally.

Her husband, Angus Davidson, 37, stood by her side throughout their difficult but hopeful journey.

The couple described their daughter’s arrival as “the greatest gift we could ever have asked for.”

The caesarean section took place at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London.

A team of 20 medical professionals was on standby during the procedure, ready for any emergency.

Thankfully, baby Amy arrived healthy, weighing 2.06kg, and did not require any special care.

Grace said holding her daughter for the first time felt “beyond amazing and full of joy.”

The baby was named Amy after Grace’s elder sister, Amy Purdie, 42, who donated her womb.

Amy, a mother of two, endured eight hours of surgery to donate her uterus to her younger sister.

She described the experience as “a huge privilege” and expressed gratitude for being able to help.

The baby’s middle name, Isabel, honours surgeon Dr Isabel Quiroga, who co-led the transplant surgery.

Dr Quiroga reportedly broke into tears after learning the baby was named in her honour.

She led the 17-hour transplant operation at The Churchill Hospital, Oxford, in February 2023.

Consultant gynaecologist Professor Richard Smith also co-led the groundbreaking surgery.

He said the success offers hope to thousands of UK women who may never experience motherhood otherwise.

The medical team has since conducted three additional womb transplants using deceased donors.

According to Prof Smith, the women are doing well and menstruating regularly post-surgery.

He expressed optimism that pregnancies may soon follow from those cases.

Grace’s womb will be removed within five years to stop immunosuppressant drugs, which carry health risks.

The couple plans to try for another baby before then.

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