A Greek couple chose to use an embryo frozen for over 22 years to have a daughter after losing their 21-year-old son in a car accident, amidst both joy and memories of their late son.
The Greek couple began a new chapter in life by giving birth to a daughter from an embryo frozen more than 22 years ago, just months after losing their 21-year-old son in a car accident.
Christina Rapti-Selepi, 54, and her husband, Constantinos Raptis, decided to use their embryo preserved by freezing for over 22 years to have another child, following the loss of their son in a road accident last October.
This decision was also a race against time, as Greek law sets the maximum age for women to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) and obtain approval from relevant authorities at 54 years old.
Ultimately, Christina successfully became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday in Athens, Greece. The newborn weighed 3.49 kilograms. On Friday, the couple spent time with their daughter in the hospital’s recovery room, surrounded by happiness and gratitude.
Christina said that after enduring a period of grief, they decided to use the preserved embryo because they did not want to give up on life and wished to give themselves a chance to start anew, bringing new life into their home.
She also expressed hopes that her daughter would grow up healthy and happy, filled with laughter like their first son, and promised to teach her to fight and never give up against challenges.
Dr. Costas Pantos, the attending obstetrician and president of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine, stated this was the first time in his career that an embryo frozen for 22 and a half years was thawed, implanted, and resulted in a live birth.
The doctor also suggested that Greece’s age limit for IVF treatment might need reconsideration, especially as the country faces a significant decline in birth rates.
Meanwhile, 60-year-old father Constantinos, holding their sleeping daughter, said having a new family member has brought hope and allowed them to move forward after living through the darkness of losing their son.
They named their daughter Georgia in honor of their late son Giorgos. Like their new daughter, Giorgos was also conceived through IVF.
Using embryos frozen for such a long period is rare. Last year, a couple from Ohio, USA, gave birth to a baby boy from an embryo frozen for over 30 years through a process called "embryo adoption," which was recognized by the Guinness World Records.
Despite their recent loss, the family has not closed the door on having more children in the future and may seek treatment abroad if necessary.
.Source:AP
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