Ouarda Touirat with baby Tamara

Ouarda Touirat, 32, from Belgium became infertile after being treated for cancer in 1997.

But doctors at Universite Catholique de Leuven transplanted her own ovarian tissue back into her body and she has since become pregnant.

She told the BBC earlier this year: "Becoming a mother is my dream come true.

Medical first

Ouarda Touirat, speaking at a press conference on Friday, said: "I'm very happy, it's what I've always wanted. It was a dream."

Baby Tamara, weighing 3.72kg (just over 8lbs) was born on Thursday night.

Mother and baby are both said to be doing well.

Doctors announced details of the pioneering surgery in June. It is believed to be the first time a successful pregnancy has occurred in a woman who has had an ovary transplant.

The pregnancy was monitored very closely

Ms Touirat was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma seven years ago.

Prior to chemotherapy, some of her ovarian tissue was removed and frozen. One ovary was left inside her body.

When she was declared cancer-free in April 2003, the ovarian tissue was transplanted back into her body, just below her existing ovary.

Four months later, she was found to be menstruating and ovulating normally. She became pregnant earlier this year.

During her pregnancy, she told the BBC: "I'm just ecstatic. I'm over the moon. I'm so excited now I can hardly wait," she said.

"To carry a child to have someone call me mummy is just my wildest dream."

Doctors believe the surgery could give hope to thousands of woman who lose their chance to have children as a result of cancer.

"This technique must be widely developed," said Professor Jacques Donnez, one of the doctors.

"It's really easy to freeze ovarian tissue. You must just follow the protocol and wait."