UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK’s first womb transplant baby marks a significant milestone, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting suggesting such procedures could be available on the NHS.
As reported by The Independent, the birth of the UK’s first womb transplant baby has been described as a “medical breakthrough” by Wes Streeting.
What did Wes Streeting say about womb transplants?
Mr Streeting stated,
“I think this is really exciting. It’s a really exciting possibility for women who might otherwise not be able to conceive a child,”
adding,
“I think this is amazing medical breakthrough.”
During an interview, when asked about the possibility of the procedure being offered by the NHS, the Health Secretary responded, “Well, quite possibly.”
He said,
“We have fertility treatment available and there are some people in our country and some aspiring parents who are not able to conceive – and that can be a really difficult moment in people’s lives and relationships, and that’s why novel medical research – IVF, for example – has been game-changing for people who otherwise would not have been able.”
Referring to the birth rates, Mr Streeting stated,
“On birth rates, Mr Streeting added: “I’m anxious about the birth rate in this country – it does present long-term demographic challenges for our country, but beyond the hard-headed economics, there is also the joy and love and wonder of parents being able to have children, people being able to have children.”
What did Stuart Lavery say about the womb transplant milestone?
According to experts, the birth is a “huge milestone” and a “miracle” for the family, emphasizing its groundbreaking impact.
Stuart Lavery, consultant in reproductive medicine at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), stated,
“This amazing event represents both a personal miracle for the couple involved, but also a vindication for the team of surgeons and scientists who have for so many years worked tirelessly to get to this place.”
He added,
“Like so many milestones in UK reproductive medicine, it takes a combination of a courageous patient and a committed and supportive medical team to push the scientific boundaries in the hope of helping more couples have the families they desire.”
What did Professor Alison Campbell say about progress in reproductive medicine?
Professor Alison Campbell, chief scientific officer at Care Fertility, stated,
“It’s truly incredible how science is making more families possible, and to see this progress in reproductive medicine.”
He said,
“The success of uterine transplantation is a huge milestone for people who believed it was impossible to carry a child,”
adding,
“This news gives hope and promises to further expand reproductive freedom.”
What did Dr Melanie Davies say about the first UK womb transplant birth?
Dr Melanie Davies, professor of reproductive medicine and consultant gynaecologist at University College London Hospitals, stated,
“The first UK birth after womb transplantation is a fantastic achievement. It is wonderful for the couple concerned, especially Grace, who never thought she could carry a child. Congratulations.”
She said,
“It must be immensely satisfying for the team of doctors and scientists to see this outcome. In particular, congratulations go to Prof Richard Smith, who has held this vision for 25 years and had to overcome many hurdles on the way, not least raising the funds for the programme,” adding, “It required skills from many specialities: gynaecology, pelvic surgery, organ transplantation, IVF and maternal medicine. It is an exemplar of teamwork and dedication.”
Ms Davies highlighted that Amy Isabel’s birth gives new hope to women without a womb and those who have had a hysterectomy.
She continued,
“The only alternative for these women is surrogacy, which is not easy to access and not always acceptable. Womb transplantation remains a challenging process, involving major surgery for the recipient, who will go through IVF before the procedure, and afterwards needs immunosuppressive drugs to avoid tissue rejection.”
Ms Davies stated,
“The transplanted womb will need to be removed once her family is complete. The ethical aspects are thoughtfully considered, including the risk to the living donor, who also undergoes major pelvic surgery.”
The professor added,
“This is not a world first; there have been a small number of successful births in other countries, notably in Sweden. But for the very first patient having a womb transplant in the UK to give birth so soon afterwards demonstrates the care that has been taken in preparing for this well-deserved success.”
What did Sarah Norcross say about the birth of Amy Isabel?
Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust (PET), stated,
“We at PET could not be happier to learn of the birth of Amy Isabel.”
She said,
“This is a testament to many years of hard work and perseverance on the part of Professor Richard Smith, Isabel Quiroga and the rest of the team at Womb Transplant UK, plus remarkable determination on the part of Grace Davidson and Amy Purdie.”
Ms Norcross added,
“It has been little more than a decade since the world’s first ever live birth following a womb transplant, and now the UK has its own womb transplant success story. This news will give hope to other women who wish to carry a pregnancy, but who have no uterus of their own.”
What did Kate Brintworth say about the birth of Amy Isabel and the NHS’s role?
Kate Brintworth, England’s chief midwifery officer, stated,
“I am so delighted that Grace, Angus and their whole family have been able to welcome the miracle of Amy to the world.”
She said,
“This is a momentous moment in NHS history, and an example of how we are constantly innovating and embracing the latest medical advancements so patients can benefit from groundbreaking care.”
Ms Brintworth added,
“Led by specialist teams from across the NHS, we should all be very proud of the health service’s role in this UK first and the hope it will bring to so many women.”
Grace Davidson gave birth from a womb transplant
Britain’s first womb transplant in 2023 allowed Grace Davidson, 36, to give birth to her daughter, Amy Isabel, in February. The organ was donated by her older sister, Amy.
Four womb transplants have been completed in the UK, each one supported financially by the charity Womb Transplant UK.
Womb transplant?
A medical procedure where a healthy uterus is placed into a woman who was born without one or lost hers due to medical reasons. This gives women with infertility a chance to get pregnant and carry a baby.