AI Generated Image
Woman, 54, gives birth to baby girl from embryo frozen for 22 years
The Independent • • world
Key Points:
- A Greek couple, Cristina Rapti-Tzelepi (54) and Constantinos Raptis (60), welcomed a baby girl using an embryo frozen for over 22 years, shortly after the tragic loss of their 21-year-old son in a car accident.
- The birth occurred under tight time constraints due to Greece's strict IVF age limit of 54 for women, which Ms. Rapti-Tzelepi narrowly met, completing treatment within a two-and-a-half-month window.
- The couple named their daughter Georgia in honor of their late son Giorgos, who was also conceived through IVF, symbolizing a new beginning and hope for their family.
- Dr. Kostas Pantos, the gynecologist involved, called for a review of Greece’s age restrictions on IVF amid the country's declining birth rate, suggesting current laws may be too restrictive.
- The couple expressed gratitude to their medical team for helping them through their grief and have not ruled out having more children, potentially by seeking treatment abroad.
