by The birth of the first child in Great Britain, which was born from a transplanted womb, is a “medical breakthrough,” said the health secretian.
According to Wes Streeting, Womb transplants could “possibly” be available on the NHS in the future.
So far, only four transplants for womb have been carried out in the UK, each of which was fully financed by the charity organization Womb Transplant UK.
Grace Davidson, 36, from North -London, received the organ from her older sister Amy in the first uterus transplant in Great Britain in 2023, and she brought her daughter, named Amy Isabel after her aunt and a surgeon, who prompted the technology to do so in February with the name Amy Isabel.
Mr. Streeting told LBC Radio: “I think that’s really exciting. It is a really exciting opportunity for women who may otherwise not be able to imagine a child.
“I think this is an amazing medical breakthrough.
When asked whether the procedure will ever be provided by the NHS, he said Times Radio: “Well, possibly possibly.
“We have fertility treatment and there are some people in our country and some aspiring parents who cannot imagine-and that can be a really difficult moment in the life and relationships of people, and therefore the new medical research, for example, has changed, for example, who would not have been able.”
At the birth rate, Mr. Streeting added: “I am concerned about the birth rate In this country-es, I am concerned with long-term demographic challenges for our country, but beyond the stubborn economy there is also the joy, love and miracle that parents can have children, people who are able to have children.”
Other experts described the news as a “big milestone” and “miracle” for the family.
Stuart Lavery, consultant for reproductive medicine at the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), said: “This astonishing event is a personal miracle for the couple involved and a confirmation of the team of surgeons and scientists who have worked tirelessly for so many years to get to this place.
“Like so many milestones in British reproductive medicine, it is a combination of a brave patient and a committed and supportive medical team to cross the scientific limits in the hope of helping more couples to have the families you want.”
Professor Alison Campbell, Chief Scientific Officer at Care Fertility, said: “It is really incredible how science makes more families possible and see this progress in reproductive medicine.
“The success of the uterine law is a great milestone for people who thought it was impossible to wear a child.
“This message provides hope and promise to further expand reproductive freedom.”
Dr. Melanie Davies, professor of reproductive medicine and gynecologist at the University College London Hospital, said: “The first birth in Great Britain after the transplantation is a fantastic performance.
“It is wonderful for the couple in question, especially Grace, who would never have thought that she could wear a child. Congratulations.
“It has to be satisfactory for the team of doctors and scientists to see this result.
“Congratulations in particular go to Prof. Richard Smith, who has held this vision for 25 years and had to overcome many hurdles on the go, not least the funds for the program.
“It required skills of many specialties: gynecology, pelvic surgery, organ transplant, IVF and maternal medicine. It is an example of teamwork and commitment.”
She said that the birth of Amy Isabel’s other women who were born without their womb could give hope and young women who needed a hysterectomy could help.
“The only alternative for these women is surrogacy, which is not easily accessible and is not always acceptable,” she said.
“The uterus transplantation remains a challenging process that includes a greater operation for the recipient, which goes through IVF before the intervention and later needs immunosuppressive medication to avoid tissue quenching.
“The transplanted womb must be removed as soon as your family is complete.
“The ethical aspects are taken into account, including the risk for the living donor, which also takes a large pelvic operation.
“This is not a world first, there was a small number of successful births in other countries, especially in Sweden.
“But for the very first patient who has a uterine transplantation in Great Britain in order to be born soon afterwards, the care that has prepared for this well -deserved success shows.”
Sarah Norcross, director of the Progress Educational Trust (PET), said: “We at PET couldn’t be happier to find out about Amy Isabel’s birth.
“This is proof of many years of hard work and perseverance on the part of Professor Richard Smith, Isabel Quiroga and the rest of the team in the Womb Transplant UK as well as a remarkable determination of Grace Davidson and Amy Purdie.
“Since the world’s first living birth after a mother block transplantation, it has hardly been more than a decade, and Great Britain has now had its own success story of the womb.
“This message will give hope to other women who want to wear pregnancy but do not have their own uterus.”
Kate Brintworth, England’s Chief midwife officer, said: “I am very pleased that grace, Angus and all of the family were able to welcome the miracle of Amy in the world.
“This is an important moment in the history of the NHS and an example of how we constantly innovate and accept the latest medical advances so that patients can benefit from the groundbreaking care.
“Under the direction of special teams from all over the NHS, we should all be very proud of the role of healthcare in this Great Britain and the hope that will bring for so many women.”
