Falling pregnant and carrying a child is one of the many reasons the female body is so fascinating. As a woman, it’s almost a natural right to carry a child, so for those who can’t, it is nothing short of devastating. When the news hit the headlines last month about the UK’s first womb transplant, it offered hope to childless women born without a uterus or who had lost one due to medical reasons.
A team of 30 carried out two operations at Churchill Hospital, Oxford, first removing the womb from the donor, then transplanting it into the recipient. The donor, a 40-year-old mother-of-two, decided to help her 34-year-old sister who had been born without a womb, giving her the opportunity to carry her own child one day. Womb transplants are temporary, and in this case, it’s expected to last for up to five years.
The groundbreaking operation was funded by Womb Transplant UK, costing £25,000, and there are plans to carry out up to 30 transplants a year. Although this was the first such procedure successfully carried out in the UK, around 100 womb transplants have been performed worldwide, with approximately 50 healthy babies born. Woman delves deeper, speaking to someone who underwent the procedure herself…
‘OUR DREAMS CAME TRUE’
Jennifer Dingle, 35, is married to Jason, 35. They have two children, Jiavannah, five, and Jade, three. As I picked up the phone to my mum, I could hear the excitement in her voice as she told me there was hope. There was hope that one day I might carry a child of my own and finally be the mother I longed to be.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The benefits of waking up early
I can almost feel my daughters rolling their eyes at the thought of me writing about the joys of waking up early.
'Rylan makes me MILLIONS!
The presenter talks about his love life, professional success and his alter ego
GATSBY
He needed a home, but was Maria barking to even consider taking him in?
My mindset MAKEOVER
After losing 4st, the future is bright for Hazel James
Eat more WEIGH LESS
Feel fuller while losing weight with our exclusive plan from Slimming World
Autumn tricks YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stop cold, dark nights disturbing your sleep with these expert cheats
'HARRY WILL NOT BE BACK'
Reports of Prince Harry wanting to return to the UK and royal duties are, I’m told, ‘completely wrong’.
'I'M HONOURED to still be part of Strictly'
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke on the hit show and why he'll never retire
Would you keep CANCER A SECRET?
Model Elle Macpherson revealed she kept her battle with the disease hidden - we find out why many others choose to do the same
'Ruth has handled the split WITH DIGNITY'
Coleen Nolan on grief, supporting Ruth Langsford through divorce and moving in with boyfriend Michael Jones