Ohio Couple Welcomes Baby Born from Nearly 31‑Year‑Old Frozen Embryo, Setting New Record

Ohio Couple Welcomes Baby Born from Nearly 31‑Year‑Old Frozen Embryo, Setting New Record

Ohio— In a landmark event for reproductive medicine, Lindsey (35) and Tim Pierce (34) welcomed their son, Thaddeus Daniel Pierce, on July 26, 2025, born from an embryo that had been frozen for 11,148 days—nearly 31 years—marking the longest‑frozen embryo to result in a live birth.

The embryo was originally created in May 1994 during an IVF cycle by Linda Archerd (now 62), who with her then‑husband produced four embryos. One was used then, resulting in a daughter; the other three were cryopreserved and stored for decades.

Having faced a difficult decision as years passed, Archerd chose to donate the remaining embryos through Snowflakes, part of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, allowing open adoption and donor preferences. The Pierces—who had struggled with infertility for seven years—signed up for the adoption program in 2022 and were matched with Archerd’s embryos.

The embryos were transferred to Rejoice Fertility in Knoxville, Tennessee, a clinic known for accepting and handling older samples. Of the three donated embryos, one did not survive thawing; out of the two transferred, only one successfully implanted, leading to Thaddeus’s birth.

Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. John David Gordon, who oversaw the procedure, confirmed that this case surpasses the previous record—twins born in 2022 from embryos frozen for roughly 30 years (10,905 days)—to become the oldest known embryo at birth.

Despite a challenging delivery, Lindsey reported that both she and Thaddeus are recovering well. She described her newborn as “so chill,” and emphasized: “We didn’t go into this thinking about records— we just wanted to have a baby.”

Archerd expressed emotional relief and awe at seeing her biological material become a new life. Comparing photos, she noted a striking resemblance between Thaddeus and her daughter born in 1994. She hopes to meet the Pierces and her “grandson” someday and praised the open nature of the adoption arrangement.

Medical experts underline that long‑term cryopreservation has not been found to harm embryo viability. Data shows storage duration—even decades—does not decrease rates of implantation, pregnancy, or live birth, so long as embryos are properly frozen and thawed.

This unique case also highlights broader dimensions of the IVF and embryo adoption landscape. It is estimated that around 1.5 million frozen embryos remain in limbo in U.S. fertility clinics as parents decide their fate. Some states, including Alabama, have moved to grant embryos legal personhood—raising new ethical and legal questions over embryo storage, disposition, and post‑divorce or post‑mortem custody.

In summary, the birth of Thaddeus Daniel Pierce marks a significant milestone in assisted reproductive technology: it showcases the potential of embryo adoption, underscores the remarkable resilience of cryopreserved embryos, and offers renewed hope to families facing infertility