Women give birth using mothers’ wombs

Daughters receive transplanted wombs to help achieve pregnancy

The first two women to give birth after womb transplants from their own mothers have given hope to tens of thousands of women living with the “heartbreaking knowledge” they cannot become pregnant, a leading doctor has said.

The babies — both boys — were born a month ago in Sweden after their grandmothers underwent hysterectomies to allow their daughters the chance to experience motherhood.

A doctor from the Swedish team behind the project said it is a “matter of time” before similar procedures are seen in the UK, while a British gynaecologist revealed five womb transplants are set to take place in Britain next year.

Richard Smith, from the UK Womb Transplantation Research Team, said 200 women had come forward to be considered for the operations as he praised Professor Mats Brannstrom, who led the Swedish team.

He said: “Mats Brannstrom has again proved that this procedure is not only possible, he has made womb transplants a reality and given hope to many thousands of women who previously have had to live with the heartbreaking knowledge that they will never give birth to their own child.

“We are currently examining several approaches from distinguished medical academic institutions in and near London who would like us to carry out these pioneering operations at their hospitals.

“We still need to raise the money to pay for all of these operations but we could start the programme early next summer if all goes well,” he said.

It is understood the UK womb transplants would involve deceased or brain dead donors.

One of the doctors behind the Swedish team, Liza Johannesson of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, said the first child weighed 5lb 8oz and was born to a 29-year old Swedish woman who lacked a womb at birth.

The 34-year-old mother of the second boy, who weighed in at 5lb 15oz, had her womb removed when she was treated for cancer in her 20s.

Both babies were delivered by Caesarean section around a month early after doctors induced labour at 36 weeks, Dr Johannesson said.

She added: “In the nine womb transplants we have done, five were donated by mothers.

“Mothers and daughters have a special relationship. It’s a really great gift to give to your daughter.”

Dr Johannesson said there were more womb transplant patients expecting children but she would not confirm the number of cases as the women were in the early stages of pregnancy.

She said: “It’s a matter of time before this is seen in lots of countries. We know the British group have been working for several years. We hope they will be delighted by this news.”

The world’s first baby born from a transplanted womb arrived earlier this year.

Born in September as part of the Gothenburg University project, baby Vincent was carried in a womb from an unrelated donor.

Vincent is now home with his parents, who have not been named. He is breastfeeding and growing well. Dr Johannesson added: “They are doing perfect. The parents told me that first night at home was horrible because he was screaming — like any other child.”

Vincent’s father said: “We now have the most amazing baby. He’s no different from any other child, but he will have a good story to tell.”