Baby born from a 30-year-old Embryo
- Emma Austin
- Aug 3
- 2 min read
Clients always ask me, "How long can you store an embryo?". The truth is that it depends on many factors. This story will bring hope to many people trying to have a baby, or wondering what to do with leftover embryos or struggling with the decision on when to discard them.
You can read the story here.
A baby boy born in late July 2025 has captured attention world wide. He was conceived from an embryo that had been frozen for more than 30 years, setting a new record
Created in 1994, the embryo belonged to a couple who used IVF at the time and later donated unused embryos. Through a Christian-aligned embryo adoption agency, the embryo was “adopted” by an Ohio couple, resulting in the birth of Thaddeus Daniel Pierce on July 26, 2025, whose biological “sister” is already 30 years old
What Is Embryo Adoption?
Embryo adoption, sometimes also called embryo donation, is when donated embryos are transferred into another individual or couple. In Australia, the process is handled through IVF clinics under regulatory guidance, often requiring altruistic donation (no payment) and mandatory counselling for donors and recipients
In Australia, embryo donation laws vary by state: for instance, maximum storage limits exist (e.g. 15 years in NSW, WA, SA; 10 years in Victoria), meaning Australia cannot replicate the extreme long-term example seen in this story.
Why Counselling Is Vital
The emotional, legal and ethical landscape surrounding embryo adoption is complex:
Identity and disclosure: Future children may seek identifying information about donors at age 18, Australian regulations guarantee this right
Ethical concerns around long-term storage: This case raises questions about how long embryos should be stored and who decides their fate.
Psychological support needs: Both donors and recipients must reflect on implications—feelings about genetic connection, disclosure plans, and managing expectations
Counselling provides a safe, confidential space to navigate these issues—exploring grief, hope, ethical values, and strategies for supporting donor-conceived children through future disclosure.
How Your Story Counselling Can Help
At Your Story Counselling, we support clients through this challenging time.
What This Case Teaches Us
The story of Thaddeus—a baby born from a 1994 embryo—demonstrates both science’s promise and human complexity: implanting a 30-year-old embryo was a medical risk that paid off, but it also needed deep reflection and support.
Australia’s embryo laws prioritise counselling and the rights of donor‑conceived persons. Yet long‑term storage—beyond legal maximums is rare here.
Final Thoughts
The remarkable achievement of a healthy birth from a 30‑year‑old frozen embryo is more than medical history, it’s a deeply human story. It reminds us that when science creates opportunity, emotional and ethical guidance is essential.
If you're considering embryo adoption or donation or would benefit from counselling, contact us at
. We support you with care, expertise, and compassion throughout your journey.
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