Greek woman gives birth using embryo frozen for 22 years

Cristina Rapti-Tzelepi, 54, breastfeeds her three-day-old daughter, Georgia, as her husband, Constantinos Raptis, 60, caresses the infant’s head at a private maternity clinic in Athens, Greece, on Friday, September 11, 2026. Credit: AP News/AP Photo..

A Greek woman, Cristina Rapti‑Tzelepi, has given birth to a baby girl after using one of her embryos frozen for 22 years, beating the government’s age limit for women to complete in vitro fertilisation procedures.

Rapti‑Tzelepi, aged 54, and her husband, Constantinos, 60, lost their 21-year-old son Giorgos in a road crash in October last year.

According to AP News on Saturday, Giorgos’ death prompted the couple to pursue another attempt.

Giorgos was also born using the same method. However, the new baby was born from Rapti‑Tzelepi’s frozen embryo, which had remained from her original fertility treatment.

The baby, Georgia, who was given birth on Wednesday in the Greek capital, Athens, weighed in at 3.49 kilogrammes (7 pounds, 11 ounces).

“I only had a 2½-month window. It was stressful, but with inner strength and our doctor and his whole team by our side, we got through Greek woman gives birth using embryo frozen for 22 years
obstacle,” she said.

The 54-year-old recounted the life of her deceased son, whom she described as one who “filled our home with laughter.”

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Rapti‑Tzelepi said, “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. My wish for her is to grow up healthy and happy, full of joy like our first child, who filled our home with laughter.”

Her gynaecologist, Dr Kostas Pantos, who also heads the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine, lamented the “strict” government law by the Greek government, as she called for a review

She said, “The law is very strict: 54 plus one day is not allowed. Maybe it’s time for it to change. I think it’s a right (parents) should not be deprived of.”

Rapti‑Tzelepi’s husband, Constantinos, expressed his excitement, as he appreciated the doctor’s effort during the journey.

“He took us by the hand and pulled us out of our deepest darkness. We escaped from that darkness, and I believe we have a lot to live for now,” Constantinos stated.

They haven’t ruled out trying for another child, possibly by travelling abroad, AP News stated.

In 2025, an Ohio couple welcomed a baby boy developed from an embryo frozen for more than 30 years through a process known as “ embryo adoption,” and earned recognition from Guinness World Records, the report noted.