Transplant surgeon and joint team leader Isabel Quiroga said she was “delighted” by Hugo’s birth and called it a breakthrough for organ transplantation in the UK.
“Very few babies have been born in Europe as a result of their mothers receiving a womb from a deceased donor,” she said.
“Our trial is seeking to discover whether this procedure could become an approved and regular treatment for some of the increasing number of women of child-bearing age who do not have a viable womb.”
Smith said 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.
A baby born following the transplantation of a womb from a deceased donor does not have any genetic links with the donor.
More than 100 womb transplant operations have been performed around the world and more than 70 healthy babies have been born as a result.
Donating a womb for transplant is not like donating other organs, such as the kidneys or heart – it is only allowed through a special request to potential donors’ families who have already agreed to donate their relative’s organs.
In the UK, unless you have decided to opt out of donating your organs, it is assumed you agree to be an organ donor when you die.
The parents of the donor, who wish to remain anonymous, said they felt “tremendous pride” at the legacy left by their daughter.
She donated five other organs which were transplanted into four people.
“Through organ donation, she has given other families the precious gift of time, hope, healing and now life,” her family said.
