How long is too long for frozen embies?

Debbie and her husband, Colin, 44, endured 18 years of heartache in trying to have a baby. The couple married young -- Debbie was just 17 -- and started trying to have children right away. She underwent two failed surgeries in an attempt to clear her blocked fallopian tubes, and at age 19 was told her chances of conceiving were very low. After that, she had an ectopic pregnancy and several failed IVF attempts.

Twelve years ago, the couple decided to freeze the embryos that were not used in a round of IVF. At three days old, the unused embryos were frozen and stored. After having no luck at getting pregnant, the two "decided to accept the fact that we would never have children," Debbie said.

But they had to confront the issue again a decade later , when they received a letter warning them that the deadline for storing the embryos was due to expire. British law states that embryos can be stored for 10 years. Then they have to be used, donated or allowed to perish, the Mail said.

Although they didn't want to risk yet another disappointment, they decided to give the fertility treatment one last try -- and it worked.

"When Shani was born and I held my own baby in my arms at last, I just couldn't believe it," Debbie said. "I didn't know that I would ever know happiness like it -- or that such joy could follow such devastation."

MyFertilityPlan.com