The first documented birth of a human being conceived outside its mother's womb occurred in Lancashire, England, on July 25, 1978.

On November 10, 1977, a doctor had surgically removed an egg from Lesley Brown and fertilized it in vitro with sperm from her husband, Gilbert Brown. After two and a half days the embryo was implanted in Mrs. Brown's uterus for normal development. A 5-pound 12 ounce girl, Louise Joy Brown, was delivered by cesarean section and seemed perfectly healthy. The gynecologist responsible for the medical feat was Patrick C. Steptoe. He was assisted by Robert G. Edwards, a specialist in reproductive physiology.

Louise Joy Brown

Louise's birth was the headline in at least one British newspaper.

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This page was last updated on 12/25/2017.