Couple's 'snowbaby' sets new world record

  • 21/12/2017
Baby
Emma spent 24 years as a frozen embryo. Photo credit: Getty

A couple in the US has welcomed a healthy baby girl born from an embryo that had been frozen for 24 years.

The baby, Emma Wren, holds the record for the longest frozen embryo to be birthed.

The embryo had been frozen in 1992 - just a year-and-a-half after the mother's own birth.         

"Emma is such a sweet miracle," said father Benjamin Gibson. "I think she looks pretty perfect to have been frozen all those years ago."

Mr Gibson has cystic fibrosis, and is unable to conceive.

When they were told how old the embryo was, mother Tina Gibson was shocked.

"Do you realize I'm only 25? This embryo and I could have been best friends," she said.

"I just wanted a baby. I don't care if it's a world record or not," she told CNN.

The previous record was 20 years.

"We're just so thankful and blessed. She's a precious Christmas gift from the Lord," Ms Gibson said. "We're just so grateful."

Emma is what's known as a 'snowbaby' - created from an embryo intended for another couple, but kept on ice.

Newshub.