By Atoyebi Nike
A baby boy born in Ohio on July 26 has captured global attention not for his size or cry, but because he came from an embryo frozen 30 years ago.
Thaddeus Daniel Pierce was born to Lindsey and Tim Pierce through embryo adoption. The embryo had been frozen since May 1994, making Thaddeus one of the longest-frozen embryos to result in a live birth.
“We didn’t know they froze embryos that long ago,” Lindsey said. “We’re just grateful to have him.”
The embryo came from Lydia Archerd, who used IVF in the ‘90s and had one daughter. She kept the remaining embryos in storage, hoping to one day expand her family. Though that dream never came true, she donated the embryos years later through a program that allows contact between families.
Now 62, Archerd says seeing Thaddeus was like déjà vu. “He looks just like my daughter when she was a baby,” she said.
Lindsey and Tim say they weren’t trying to set records just start a family. And now, through science, hope, and a little fate, two families are forever connected.
