Frozen for 22 Years, Now a Baby: Greek Woman Gives Birth to Girl From Long-Preserved Embryo
In a case that shows the potential of assisted reproductive technology, a Greek woman has given birth to a baby girl from an embryo that was frozen for over 22 years.
Christina Rapti-Tzelepi, 54, gave birth to the baby on Wednesday after transferring an embryo from the same batch that helped her conceive her first child in 2004.
Rapti-Tzelepi became pregnant with her first embryo transfer, and delivered a healthy boy, according to her gynaecologist, Konstantinos Pantos. The family went on to experience another tragedy in October 2025 when their son died in a road traffic accident at the age of 21.
The birth of the baby girl was an emotional event for the family after their loss, Pantos said.
When she and her husband held their daughter, Rapti-Tzelepi said, she felt a combination of grief and happiness. Her husband, Konstantinos Raptis, said the family had been in a “race against time” as his wife was nearing the legal age for in vitro fertilisation in Greece.
The current law in Greece is that the maximum age for IVF treatment is 54 years. With the successful pregnancy, Rapti-Tzelepi hit that cap.
The case has also brought back the debate over age limits for fertility treatment. Raptis called for the IVF age limit to be lifted, arguing that older women can provide love, stability and care to children.
The birth is a new beginning for the family after the loss of their son.
