Woman’s mom offers to donate her womb to have baby

By Beth Hunter via SWNS

A woman born without a uterus hopes to have a baby thanks to her mom - who offered to be her womb donor.

Dannielle Maydom, 28, was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome - a rare congenital disorder that affects the female reproductive system.

It meant she was born without a uterus, with doctors telling her she would never be able to have kids.

However, this year, her mom, Erica Turner, 48, said that she would donate her womb to her daughter - which would potentially see Danielle's baby growing inside the very same womb she did.

Erica, a carer, from Birkenstead, Hertfordshire, said: "I have five children and don't want anymore, being Dannielle's mother, hopefully I would be a good match for her.

"I'd do or give anything for my children - if it helps."

"I would find it amazing if Dannielle had her own child through my womb.

"I know I would be an emotional wreck - knowing that she would be carrying her own child and I know the bond between myself, Dannielle and my grandchild would be extremely special."

Dannielle is currently single but hopes to become a mom one day.

Meanwhile her cousin, Jeanette, 39, has also offered an alternative - to be Dannielle's surrogate.

Dannielle, a hairdresser, from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, said: "Me and Jeanette are very close, but when she told me she would me a surrogate for me if I wanted, I was overcome with emotion.

"It's so exciting."

Jeanette said: "I know how much Dannielle wants her own family and I think everyone deserves the opportunity to become a parent, regardless of how.

"This is what a family does, helps each other.

"If I've got the option to help her succeed in becoming a parent then I'll use that option."

Her comment came on the back of the UK's first ever womb transplant in February at Oxford Churchill Hospital where a 40-year-old woman, who already had two children, decided to help her 34-year-old sister who was also born without a uterus.

Dannielle first realised something might be wrong at 16 when she hadn’t got her period - so decided to go to the doctor.

During the appointment, her mom, Erica, mentioned she was a “late bloomer” at 15 and the doctor suggested Dannielle wait a few years to see if her periods would start later.

Dannielle said: “I just knew something wasn’t right.

"It is one of the strangest, most unsettling feelings - knowing that there is a problem with your body, but not being able to pinpoint what it is.”

On her 18th birthday Dannielle scheduled a second appointment with a doctor where she received devastating news.

“I can remember sitting with my mom and the doctor, and being told I had no uterus," she said.

“I ran out of the room through the bright hospital halls to try and find the most isolated space and sobbed for about 20 minutes.

“After my diagnosis I didn’t leave my house for months.

“My dad, Stephen, was 39 when he passed away. I was 10 years old and I was his only child.

"The thought of me never being able to carry on his bloodline haunted me."

Dannielle says she has spent the last 10 years processing and grieving for the future she thought she would have.

MRKH syndrome is rare - affecting around one in 4,500 women in the UK.

Dannielle has never met anyone else in person who has the same condition.

“Many GPs and even some gynecologists that I’ve encountered during this journey have never heard of MRKH syndrome,” she said.

Dannielle says she has also had to face discrimination from people for being infertile.

“I’ve had other women say 'wow, it must be so good not getting a period," she said.

“I’ve even had a woman doctor who asked when my last period was and me telling her I’ve never had one replying: 'Oh, the computer system won’t like that.'"

Dannielle has been emboldened by news of the UK's first ever successful womb transplant.

“I was with my mom at home when I found out about the transplant, and we were so happy to hear about it,” Dannielle said.

Erica said: "Dannielle had dolls when she was younger, she had a lovely little pushchair and everything that her 'baby' needed.

"To look at photos of when she was little not knowing what we know now is heartbreaking for both of us.

"I know she feels incomplete and would love just to have her own little person which she deserves as much as the next woman.

"I hope and wish so much that she will be allowed to go forward with a transplant."

Dannielle has since contacted a member of the team who carried out the transplant and is hopeful of getting a preliminary referral.

“It’s so exciting,” she said.

“I would do pretty much anything to experience my own period and eventually carry on my family tree.

"I really feel like this year has been a huge turning point, with my cousin's amazing offer and the groundbreaking trial - I almost feel like I've manifested it."