Greek Woman Gives Birth Using Embryo Frozen for 22 Years
A 54-year-old Greek woman has given birth to a baby girl after doctors transferred an embryo that had been frozen for more than 22 years.
The woman, Christina Rapti-Tzelepi, previously became a mother in 2004 after an embryo transfer from the same original group. Her son was born healthy but tragically died in a road accident in October 2025 at the age of 21.
According to her gynaecologist, Konstantinos Pantos, the family decided to use another embryo from the same batch. The embryo was transferred in December 2025, and the woman gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday.
Rapti-Tzelepi said the birth carried deep emotional meaning for the family, following the loss of their son. She described the moment of holding the newborn as one in which their grief and happiness came together.
Her husband, Konstantinos Raptis, said the pregnancy was particularly important because his wife was approaching the upper age limit for IVF treatment permitted under Greek law. Greece currently sets the maximum age for IVF at 54.
The couple reportedly have nine additional embryos in storage and hope to have another child. However, they currently cannot undergo another IVF procedure because of the country’s existing age restrictions.
The case has also renewed discussion about IVF regulations and the options available to women who choose to have children later in life.
Greece has experienced a decline in its birth rate in recent years, although official data has also shown that births among women aged 40 and above have increased over the past two decades.
Rapti-Tzelepi encouraged couples who have been undergoing fertility treatment for years not to lose hope, while highlighting the role of modern reproductive medicine in helping families achieve their goals.
