Record-Breaking Birth: Twins Born from 30-Year-Old Frozen Embryos

In an astonishing feat of medical science and faith, Rachel and Philip Ridgeway of Oregon recently welcomed twins Lydia Ann and Timothy Ronald, born from embryos that had been frozen for over 30 years. This record-setting event—believed to be the longest-frozen embryos to ever result in a live birth—raises thought-provoking questions about embryo donation, reproductive technology, and the role of faith in family-building.

These embryos, preserved at -196°C in liquid nitrogen since 1992, remained in storage for nearly three decades before being adopted by the Ridgeways through the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC). Their journey to life is a remarkable blend of medical science, resilience, and a family's unwavering belief that they were meant to bring these children into the world.

The Significance of Embryo Freezing and Donation
Embryo freezing has been a vital tool in assisted reproductive technology (ART) since the early 1980s, allowing individuals undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to preserve excess embryos for future use. The practice has led to the development of options like embryo donation, where unused embryos can be offered to couples who face challenges conceiving naturally.

1. Cryopreservation: The Science Behind Freezing Embryos
Cryopreservation slows down biological processes to almost a halt, effectively "pausing" the embryo’s life without causing cellular damage. Embryos, stored in specialized containers filled with liquid nitrogen, can remain viable for decades, as evidenced by the Ridgeway twins. As Dr. John David Gordon, the Ridgeways' physician, explained, embryos frozen at such low temperatures essentially become "timeless," ready to continue development upon thawing, regardless of how many years have passed.

2. Embryo Donation: A Gift of Life
Embryo donation, the process the Ridgeways opted for, allows individuals with stored embryos they no longer intend to use to donate them to families eager to have children. This form of donation offers a unique pathway for building families and has gained popularity, particularly among faith-based communities. The NEDC, a Christian-led organization, has facilitated the birth of over 1,200 infants through embryo adoption. By "adopting" embryos, couples like the Ridgeways can experience parenthood through a unique combination of medical intervention and ethical decision-making.

For further reading on cryopreservation and embryo donation, refer to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s resources: https://www.asrm.org.

The Ridgeways' Journey to Parenthood
The Ridgeways' story is one of faith, family, and fortitude. With four biological children aged 8, 6, 3, and almost 2, they had never previously used IVF or embryo donation to conceive. But when they learned about embryo adoption, they felt a calling to pursue this path, especially for embryos that had been in storage the longest.

• Choosing Long-Frozen Embryos: Unlike many couples who may consider embryos with a closer genetic connection, the Ridgeways asked the NEDC specifically about embryos listed under "special consideration," or embryos that had been waiting a long time for recipients. They embraced the idea that these embryos—frozen for over three decades—deserved a chance at life.
• Faith in the Process: Philip Ridgeway reflected on the experience, sharing that he and Rachel had "always thought we'll have as many [children] as God wants to give us." Their choice wasn’t about setting records; it was about honoring life and accepting the embryos that had been awaiting a family.

The Embryo Transfer and Birth of Lydia and Timothy
After selecting their embryos from the NEDC database, the Ridgeways proceeded with the embryo transfer at Southeastern Fertility, an NEDC partner clinic. The embryos were thawed on February 28, 2022. Of the five embryos that were thawed, three were viable for transfer. Though their physician cautioned against transferring more than two embryos due to potential risks, Rachel Ridgeway felt deeply compelled to give all three embryos a chance. The results: two healthy babies, Lydia and Timothy, were born on October 31, 2022, weighing 5 pounds 11 ounces and 6 pounds 7 ounces, respectively.

The Medical Process Behind Embryo Adoption
Embryo adoption, while often referred to as such, differs from traditional adoption in that it involves a medical procedure rather than a legal adoption. After fertilization and cryopreservation, embryos may be donated to another family if they meet certain criteria set forth by the FDA, including screening for infectious diseases.

• Embryo Viability: The process of thawing embryos has about an 80% survival rate, and successful pregnancies are not guaranteed. Factors like the quality of the embryos at the time of freezing and the health of the uterus receiving the embryos influence the outcomes.
• Transfer Considerations: Both the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the CDC advise transferring a single embryo to reduce risks associated with multiple births. However, many families, including the Ridgeways, choose to transfer multiple embryos, driven by personal beliefs and the emotional bond they form with the embryos during the selection process.

For detailed guidelines on embryo donation, visit the CDC’s reproductive technology resources: https://www.cdc.gov/art.

Ethical and Cultural Dimensions of Embryo Donation
The concept of "embryo adoption" is complex and somewhat controversial. Many fertility experts, including those at ASRM, caution against using the term "adoption" for embryos, as it implies legal aspects more commonly associated with living children. Dr. Sigal Klipstein, chair of ASRM's ethics committee, notes that embryo donation is more accurately described as a medical transfer process, not a legal adoption.

• Faith-Based Influence: The term "embryo adoption" is often used in faith-based settings to emphasize the moral responsibility many feel toward giving these embryos a chance at life. For organizations like the NEDC, embryo donation is seen as part of a divine calling to support family-building within a framework that aligns with religious values.
• Cost-Effectiveness: For some families, embryo donation is a cost-effective alternative to IVF, offering them a viable option for growing their families without the high costs associated with egg or sperm donation.

The Impact and Implications of Long-Term Embryo Freezing
The Ridgeway twins' birth invites renewed discussion on the longevity and potential of frozen embryos. Can embryos be stored indefinitely without compromising the health of resulting babies? According to fertility specialists, the biological processes of frozen embryos slow down to a negligible rate, allowing them to remain viable regardless of how long they are frozen.

• Health of the Babies: Research suggests that the age of the embryos does not impact the health of the baby as much as the age of the egg donor at the time of embryo creation. In the Ridgeways’ case, the original egg donor was 34 years old, which is generally considered an ideal age for optimal egg quality.
• Scientific Limitations: Although embryos frozen for decades have resulted in live births, scientists are still exploring the potential long-term impacts. Cryopreservation has been rigorously tested for safety, but cases like the Ridgeways' push the boundaries, prompting further research into embryo viability over extended periods.

For additional information on embryo freezing and its effects, see the FDA’s guidelines on reproductive technology: https://www.fda.gov/reproductive.

The Role of Family in the Ridgeways' Journey
Throughout their journey, the Ridgeways have openly involved their four children in the process, sharing each step of the embryo adoption experience. Their older children eagerly anticipated the arrival of their siblings, highlighting how the concept of family can transcend genetics and biological origins. Philip Ridgeway said that his children were "excited and happy with us every step along the way," illustrating how embryo adoption can foster a unique bond that celebrates family as an inclusive concept.

A New Chapter in Reproductive Technology
The birth of Lydia and Timothy Ridgeway stands as a testament to the potential of embryo cryopreservation, the growth of embryo donation as a family-building option, and the resilience of life itself. For medical students and professionals, the Ridgeways’ story serves as a powerful reminder of how reproductive technology can bring hope, choice, and a new definition of family into the lives of countless individuals.

As science continues to advance, cases like the Ridgeways' may become increasingly common, pushing the boundaries of what we know about fertility, preservation, and the incredible capacity of modern medicine. This record-breaking birth may inspire more couples to explore embryo donation, whether out of necessity, faith, or a belief in the potential waiting in those frozen cells.