# Remarkable Birth: Twins from 30-Year-Old Frozen Embryos
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Chapter 1: Unprecedented Medical Milestone
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg donation have become common practices among women seeking assistance with conception. Many embryos are preserved for extended periods before being utilized. Recently, a couple from Portland, Oregon, named Rachel and Phillip Ridgeway, made headlines after giving birth to two healthy babies from the oldest recorded donated embryos, as reported by CNN.
The embryos were originally created in 1992 for a couple's IVF journey but were ultimately donated to the National Embryo Donation Centre (NEDC) in 2007, providing hope for another family. Reflecting on this extraordinary event, Phillip Ridgeway stated, “It’s astonishing. I was just five when life was given to Lydia and Timothy, and it has been preserved ever since.”
According to records, the previous oldest frozen embryo to result in a live birth was Molly Gibson, born in 2020 from an embryo frozen in 1992. “Molly took the title from her sister Emma, who was born from an embryo that had been stored for 24 years,” CNN explained.
Section 1.1: Understanding Age and Time in Embryo Storage
So, does this mean that the twins are technically 30 years old? Jim Toner, a fertility specialist from Atlanta, asserts that embryos stored in liquid nitrogen are unaffected by the passage of time. He likened it to the tale of Rip Van Winkle, emphasizing that they simply "wake up" after decades without awareness of their dormant state.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Importance of Maternal Age
Toner further clarified that the age of the embryo itself does not influence the child's health. Instead, the maternal age of both the egg donor and the recipient plays a crucial role. As women age, the likelihood of conception decreases, and health risks become more pronounced, particularly after the age of 40. Research by AFP indicates that children born to mothers in their 20s have a 1 in 1,600 risk of developing Down syndrome, while that risk escalates to 1 in 30 for mothers in their 40s.
Section 1.2: A Shifting Landscape in Maternal Age
Advancements in medical practices are allowing women to safely conceive later in life. The average age for a woman’s first pregnancy in the United States has climbed from 21 in 1970 to 26 by 2016, as reported by NPR. This trend reflects changing societal norms, with more women entering the workforce and delaying motherhood. Given this trajectory, it may not be long before new records for the oldest mothers giving birth are established.
Chapter 2: The Extraordinary Journey of the Ridgeways
This first video discusses the Ridgeway couple's incredible story of welcoming twins from embryos that had been frozen for three decades, showcasing the groundbreaking advancements in reproductive technology.
The second video features an interview with the Ridgeway family, offering insights into their journey and emotions surrounding the birth of their twins from the historic embryos.
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