Womb Transplant UK

Raising money & awareness of an amazing charity 'Womb Transplant UK' - Registered UK Charity
No. 1138559

My Story

Hello im Laura, i'm 28 and live in Kent England with my husband Chris and our cat Milo.

Back in October 2005 I met Chris and from early on I knew he was the one. I couldn't wait to spend my life journey with him and build a family of our own in time. 

Five months into our relationship in February 2006 i suffered a major setback,  I was diagnosed with MRKH (Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser Syndrome), something that no woman would ever want to hear. I was born without a womb, no cervix and my reproductive system is not connected and other parts are missing . I do have my own eggs but was told by doctors i'll never be able to carry my own child. It was shattering to say the least!  Something that most woman dream of, and its been taken away from me just like that!

MRKH effects around 1 in 5000 woman and most woman are diagnosed into early adulthood when they have not started their period.

I was told I would have to either adopt or go along the surragocay route if we wanted a family. Surrogacy is thousands of pounds, so that was something we would have to save for, for many years, and adoption is an amazing thing, but for me personally it would be my last resort. I would love a baby that is genetically our own, if i could... I never wanted to give up hope!

When I found out the heart breaking news, my family, friends and most of all Chris was fantantic, supportive and loved me for who I was and stuck by my side. Im so grateful as other men may have left me, looking to have family!

In 2009 Chris proposed and we got married in July 2011. Was a perfect day, one we'lll never forget!

In 2013 I read an article about Dr Smith and his
team who had been researching and experimenting for over 10 years to attempt the first womb transplantion in the UK. This was something I knew nothing about. A chairty was set up and he was only able to continue with donations.

At that time over in Sweeden, they had already performed a successful womb tansplantation, the woman was pregnant and soon to give birth. This was the best news I could ever hear. Knowing that a UK team could attempt a transplantion over here in the future.

After speaking with one of the UK team on the phone, I was told that they had a list of woman who wanted to be put forward to have the transplantion if it was approved in the UK in years to come. I was put on the list and hoping that maybe one day me and all other woman like me could have the chance of carrying our own baby.

Straight away I knew I wanted to raise money and awareness of this amazing chairty. They needed £500,00 to carry out the first 10 transplants. Only donations would get them there as it is not funded by the NHS.

I organised a chairity event in my own garden with prize draws, a BBQ, cake donations and hired a bouncy castle. Together with my family, friends, collegues and neighbours we raised over £1100, which I couldnt believe! I was so excited to send off the cheque to Mr Smith and his team, and knowing that they were a little closer to achieving their goal!

Still I want to give more, raise more awareness, raise even more money to get Mr Smith and his team in the position of being able to carry out this life changing procedure. We're still not there yet and more money has to be raised!

To carry out the transplantion on a woman, it had to pass  through law to get ethical approval which took months and months

Finally at the end of September this year it was approved! My friend text me about 5.30am the day it was annonced to tell me the wonderful news, which was so exciting to hear!  The Approval is to  go ahead for the first 10 womb transplantions in the UK!

Exciting news for us MRKH ladies, whether we're extremley lucky enough to be picked to be the first to attempt this amazing procedure or not, the future is looking forever brighter.

The selection process is soon to be decided ready to hopefully start next year (2016). The womb transplantion would be carried out taking about 6 hours. If successful, with the help of anti rejection drugs it would be left for one year to make sure the body does not reject the organ. With the help of IVF it is then hoped you would get pregnant. If successful you would give birth via ceresian in 8 months time!

Thank you for your time in reading my story and the womb transplantion information. I just want to create more awarness of this special charity and help towards them raising the money they need to carry out this magnificant procedure!

In the years to come if all goes well, this could make woman like me complete their dream of becoming a mummy one day!

Please donate if you can, big or small, any amount is one step closer to helping the women with MRKH start to live our dreams.

 THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS!

Laura x


If you'd like to know more please visit www.wombtransplantuk.org and help spread the word about them on facebook search 'Womb Transplant Uk-Official Charity'