‘World's oldest baby' is born from embryo frozen before either of his parents even started school
Thaddeus Daniel Pierce was delivered on July 26 to parents Lindsey and Tim Pierce, of Ohio - over three decades after his
2
Thaddeus Daniel Pierce is the world's oldest baby
Credit: Lindsey Pierce
2
Lindsey and Tim Pierce say they're thrilled with their 'chill' newborn
Credit: Lindsey Pierce
The tot, who has broken the record for the oldest baby, even has a 30-year-old sister - who is now a mum herself to a 10-year-old girl.
The title was previously held by twins who were created from embryos frozen 30 years before their birth.
Lindsay told
Thaddeus's embryo was created along with three others during a course of
Read more on Health
One of the embryos was implanted into Linda who conceived her now 30-year-old daughter.
The remaining embryos were put in long-term storage before being put up for embryo adoption when Linda and her partner separated.
Embryo adoptions are more typical in the US - particularly at Christian clinics - to help families struggling to conceive.
After seven years trying for a baby, Lindsey and Tim signed up for the same programme and were offered Thaddeus's embryo.
Most read in Health
'We had a rough birth, but we're both doing well now,' Lindsey said.
'He is so chill. We are in awe that we have this precious baby," she added.
'SNOW BABIES'
In 2017, a
Little Emma Wren Gibson weighed 6lbs 8oz and measured 20 inches long when she was born.
Her parents, Tina and Benjamin Gibson, said their daughter's record status was their last priority, focusing only on her health, adding they felt "thankful and blessed" to have her.
How does embryo freezing work?
Eggs are removed from the ovaries before being fertilized to create embryos.
They are then allowed to grow for several days before they are frozen.
These can then remain frozen for any length of time - some remain frozen for decades.
When thawed, the fertilized eggs — embryos — can be implanted either in the patient or in another person.
Embryo transfer with thawed frozen embryos is widely used today, and pregnancy rates are similar, and sometimes even higher, than with embryos that have not been frozen.
The first successful procedure took place in the late 1980s.
They said they were surprised when they were told the exact age of the embryo, thawed on March 13 at the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC).
"Do you realise I'm only 25? This embryo and I could have been best friends," Tina told
Tina, who was 26 at the time, said she just wanted a baby and didn't care if it was going to be a world record or not.
"We're just so thankful and blessed. She's a precious Christmas gift from the Lord."
Baby Emma was created via IVF for another couple but had been left in storage for someone else.
Embryos like this are called "snow babies" - potential human lives left on ice waiting to be born.
Seven years ago Tina and Benjamin got married knowing they would not be able to have biological children as Benjamin has
They had fostered several children and were planning on adoption before having the embryo implanted.
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The Irish Sun
31-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘World's oldest baby' is born from embryo frozen before either of his parents even started school
THE world's "oldest baby" has been born from an embryo frozen before either of his parents even started school. Thaddeus Daniel Pierce was delivered on July 26 to parents Lindsey and Tim Pierce, of Ohio - over three decades after his 2 Thaddeus Daniel Pierce is the world's oldest baby Credit: Lindsey Pierce 2 Lindsey and Tim Pierce say they're thrilled with their 'chill' newborn Credit: Lindsey Pierce The tot, who has broken the record for the oldest baby, even has a 30-year-old sister - who is now a mum herself to a 10-year-old girl. The title was previously held by twins who were created from embryos frozen 30 years before their birth. Lindsay told Thaddeus's embryo was created along with three others during a course of Read more on Health One of the embryos was implanted into Linda who conceived her now 30-year-old daughter. The remaining embryos were put in long-term storage before being put up for embryo adoption when Linda and her partner separated. Embryo adoptions are more typical in the US - particularly at Christian clinics - to help families struggling to conceive. After seven years trying for a baby, Lindsey and Tim signed up for the same programme and were offered Thaddeus's embryo. Most read in Health 'We had a rough birth, but we're both doing well now,' Lindsey said. 'He is so chill. We are in awe that we have this precious baby," she added. 'SNOW BABIES' In 2017, a Little Emma Wren Gibson weighed 6lbs 8oz and measured 20 inches long when she was born. Her parents, Tina and Benjamin Gibson, said their daughter's record status was their last priority, focusing only on her health, adding they felt "thankful and blessed" to have her. How does embryo freezing work? Eggs are removed from the ovaries before being fertilized to create embryos. They are then allowed to grow for several days before they are frozen. These can then remain frozen for any length of time - some remain frozen for decades. When thawed, the fertilized eggs — embryos — can be implanted either in the patient or in another person. Embryo transfer with thawed frozen embryos is widely used today, and pregnancy rates are similar, and sometimes even higher, than with embryos that have not been frozen. The first successful procedure took place in the late 1980s. They said they were surprised when they were told the exact age of the embryo, thawed on March 13 at the National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC). "Do you realise I'm only 25? This embryo and I could have been best friends," Tina told Tina, who was 26 at the time, said she just wanted a baby and didn't care if it was going to be a world record or not. "We're just so thankful and blessed. She's a precious Christmas gift from the Lord." Baby Emma was created via IVF for another couple but had been left in storage for someone else. Embryos like this are called "snow babies" - potential human lives left on ice waiting to be born. Seven years ago Tina and Benjamin got married knowing they would not be able to have biological children as Benjamin has They had fostered several children and were planning on adoption before having the embryo implanted.
Irish Examiner
28-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Life Hack: Can a disco ball really keep flies at bay this summer?
Flies: every summer they become persistent bothers, buzzing around and spreading bacteria. Our sunny weather in Ireland coincides with peak breeding season in the fly world, meaning just as we throw open our windows and doors to let a summer breeze into our homes, the flies come in with it. There are many reasons we don't want flies invading our space, namely that they carry and spread bacteria, viruses, and even parasites that can cause various illnesses in humans. In fact, the World Health Organisation estimates house flies can transmit at least 65 diseases, including conjunctivitis and gastroenteritis. On top of this, their loud buzzing around a room can be very annoying – especially if, like me, you have a dog who tries (and generally fails) to catch them barrelling around in their wake. With all of this in mind, keeping my home and garden fly-free during the summer is a top priority. I have tried many methods over the years, with some proving successful that I have shared in this column in the past. Four years ago, I shared a formula for a DIY fly trap using ingredients that you likely already have at home and it was a popular solution for many readers. Now, a new trick has been doing the rounds on social media and it was one I was keen to try, not least because of the bougie vibes it would bring to my garden. With flies being described as the unsung heroes of pollination, they have a crucial role to play in our ecosystem so this cruelty-free alternative to keep them away certainly piqued my attention. Is disco the answer? It's not news that flies are disoriented by reflected light – CDs on strings have long been used to deter them from an area. However, a similar option has been circulating online that used the same theory but in a more trendy style to elevate your outdoor dining and relaxing: hanging a disco ball. The way it works is simple. Flies have light-sensitive eyes, which means the refraction of light confuses them so when they see changing light patterns while they are flying, it makes them less likely to land. As disco balls have recently become a trending home decoration, they're quite easy to pick up in a shop or online, or an even cheaper alternative may be found at a party supply shop. Another option is to make your own disco ball with a sheet of mirrored stickers, perhaps giving an old Christmas bauble new life for a different season. Looking for cheaper alternatives? Not everybody either wants to add a disco ball to their garden or can afford to buy one, but luckily there are many pocket-friendly alternatives that make use of things you probably have at home. As mentioned above, a CD or DVD on a string is a simple but effective way to get the same effect. Simply tie the disc at one end of a string and hang it in the area you want to keep fly-free. It does the trick and it's a great use for any discs you won't use anymore. If you've gone fully digital with no CDs or DVDs to hand at home, there is another practically free option. Fill a clear plastic bag with water and hang that outside. Some people swear by water alone, while others add coins and tinfoil to make it super reflective. Again, with these methods, the fly will become confused by the changing light patterns and change direction. It is worth keeping in mind that these methods only cause temporary confusion for the fly, which may redirect and still land near you or your food. However, it will likely limit the number of flies in the area anyway, so it's certainly worth a try the next time you're planning a barbecue or want to enjoy some uninterrupted time outside. You can also hang these by your windows and doors to deter flies from entering your home too. Read More Life Hack: How to treat sunburn and help it heal as fast as possible
The Journal
27-07-2025
- The Journal
Sitdown Sunday: Unexplained deaths and child exorcisms - inside the cult of the Jesus Army
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Complicated transactions like buying a house are, in the words of one intelligence officer, 'a nightmare'. Note: The Journal generally selects stories that are not paywalled, but some might not be accessible if you have exceeded your free article limit on the site in question. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
