London, November 14: A Briton has become the first woman in the world to give birth following keyhole surgery on her womb.

Sarah Wiffen was operated in January, after she was diagnosed with a prolapsed womb following the birth of her second child.

At first, the 31-year-old woman had been told that her recovery was possible only through hysterectomy to remove the womb, dealing a body blow to her hopes of having a large family.

However, she was later offered the chance to have the keyhole surgery that was first performed in 2005 by a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Jonathan Broome, at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

"I was distraught when doctors told me I would have to have my womb removed, because I wanted more children. I was starting to make arrangements for having a hysterectomy when Mr Broome visited me and said he could help, ” the Telegraph quoted her as saying.

Sarah became pregnant just two months after the operation, and gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Natalya last Friday.

"I was just thrilled and jumped at the chance. Being a world first is a little overwhelming, I can't believe how lucky I have been. I am collecting a scrapbook on it all for Natalya so she can see just how special she is, " she said. (ANI)