Woman, 54, Gives Birth to Daughter Using 22-Year-Old Frozen Embryo After Son's Death
Cristina Rapti-Tzelepi and her husband decided to use preserved embryos following the loss of their son, navigating strict age limits for IVF in Greece.
A 54-year-old woman has given birth to a baby girl using a 22-year-old frozen embryo, a development that came less than a year after the tragic death of her son. Cristina Rapti-Tzelepi and her husband, Constantinos Raptis, 60, welcomed their daughter, Georgia, on September 9. The couple had previously frozen three embryos over two decades ago and decided to proceed with IVF to conceive after the loss of their 21-year-old son, Giorgos, in October 2025.
"While in deep mourning, we decided to make use of the embryos that were already cryopreserved," Rapti-Tzelepi told AP. "We decided to give life a second chance, to make a new start, bring new life into our home and keep our family’s story going."
The birth of their daughter has provided a source of comfort for the couple, with Raptis stating, "We escaped from that darkness, and I believe we have a lot to live for now. Along with the little one came the oxygen that enabled us to breathe and get on with our lives because we were living in absolute darkness. For us, the world had been lost."
Navigating IVF Age Limits
In Greece, where the couple resides, the legal age limit for women to undergo IVF procedures is 54. The decision to pursue another pregnancy in December meant Rapti-Tzelepi had to act quickly, as her 54th birthday was only three months away. "Due to time constraints and the strict age limits imposed by the legal framework, we had to act very quickly. I only had a two-and-a-half-month window," Rapti-Tzelepi explained.
Despite potential risks associated with later-life pregnancies, including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, premature birth, and chromosomal abnormalities, the couple felt reassured by their doctor. They reported that the pregnancy proceeded more smoothly than anticipated, with their daughter born via C-section at 39 weeks, weighing approximately 7.6 pounds.
Future Family Plans
The couple expressed a desire to have more children using their remaining two embryos. However, Greece's current IVF age regulations prevent them from doing so. Rapti-Tzelepi described the law as "unfair," particularly given the success of their recent pregnancy, and suggested that rules should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis rather than solely based on age.
"We might go abroad if the law does not change," Rapti-Tzelepi stated, indicating their determination to potentially expand their family in the future.
The oldest woman on record to give birth is Erramatti Mangamma, who delivered twin girls via C-section at age 74 in September 2019 after undergoing IVF treatment.