Imagine the surprise when a couple welcomed a baby girl from an embryo that had been frozen for 24 years! Previously, the oldest known frozen embryo to result in a live birth was just 20 years old. However, it’s tricky to verify the exact ages of embryos since U.S. clinics aren’t required to disclose that information—only the outcomes of the pregnancies.
Before embarking on their journey towards embryo adoption, Sarah and Alex Thompson fostered several children and considered traditional adoption. When they chose to explore embryo adoption, they inadvertently selected the record-breaking embryo after sifting through profiles from a pool of 300 donors. Given their petite frames, the Thompsons started by filtering profiles based on height and weight, before diving into medical histories.
After making their decision, the embryology lab director at the National Embryo Donation Center carefully thawed three embryos from the same anonymous donor. Remarkably, all three survived the thawing process, which is impressive given that the survival rate for embryos frozen using older techniques hovers around 75%.
These embryos were preserved using a slow-freeze method; however, many labs today opt for a faster technique called vitrification. This modern approach prevents ice crystals from forming, which can damage delicate cells during freezing. Since 2006, several fertility clinics have embraced this technology, including those in the industry.
Out of the three embryos transferred to Sarah, only one implanted—a normal occurrence, as the average implantation rate ranges from 25 to 30 percent. The baby girl, named Lily, was born with the help of Dr. James Carter, the medical director at the National Embryo Donation Center, a faith-based organization established in 2003 in Knoxville, TN. The Thompsons still have two remaining embryos from the same donor, allowing them the option to try for a biological sibling for Lily.
When couples donate embryos, it typically happens after successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) about 15 to 20 percent of the time. However, younger patients often produce multiple embryos in one IVF cycle. If there are extra embryos, biological parents can choose to:
- Discard the embryos
- Leave them in cryopreservation
- Donate them for research or training in reproductive medicine
- Donate them to another couple
Though some couples may hesitate to donate to others due to the additional legal requirements and screening, for families like the Thompsons, the choice to donate has been life-changing. If you’re interested in home insemination options, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. For more on healthy baby products, don’t miss our blog post on unscented plant-based baby wipes.
In summary, a frozen embryo that had been in storage for 24 years has successfully resulted in a birth, highlighting the advances in fertility treatments and the possibilities of embryo donation. This inspiring story demonstrates the life-changing impact of modern reproductive technology.