Woman Gives Birth To Baby From A Donated Embryo That Was Frozen For 24 Years

The National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) says baby Emma Wren was born Nov 25 to Benjamin and Tina Gibson.

Unlike most newborns, Emma could technically be considered much, much older than she appears. She had been cryopreserved as an embryo for nearly a quarter century.

"Emma is such a sweet miracle," said Benjamin.

"I think she looks pretty perfect to have been frozen all those years ago."

The couple adopted their embryo through the National Embryo Donation Center in Tennessee, which has led to 700 pregnancies since 2003 - more than any other organization in the world.

Tina, 26, spent her pregnancy carrying an embryo conceived just 1.5 years after her own birth.

Tina became pregnant with Emma as the result of a frozen embryo transfer (FET) performed by NEDC Medical Director Dr. Jeffrey Keenan on March 15, 2017.

Around 700,000 to over 1,000,000 human embryos are currently stored in the US.

Embryo transfer refers to a step in the process of assisted reproduction in which embryos are placed into the uterus of a female with the intent to establish a pregnancy.

A review of 11 studies from around the world, involving more than 37,000 pregnancies, found frozen embryos to be safer for mother and child.

Women who used frozen embryos were around a third less likely to suffer complications such as bleeding in pregnancy than those who used ‘fresh’ ones.

Dr. Jeffrey Kennan hopes the story will lead to more couples who have embryos in long-term storage to consider the donation to help more families.

Dr. Keenan said, "We hope this story is a clarion call to all couples who have embryos in long-term storage to consider this life-affirming option for their embryos."

The NEDC is a faith-based organization that is renowned for its embryo adoption program.

The NEDC performs about 10 percent of all embryo adoption cycles in the country.

Embryos have been donated to the NEDC from all 50 states

Couples have traveled to Knoxville from all over the United States as well as some foreign countries for their embryo transfers.