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"The babies are so beautiful... I guess a mixture of three makes them smart and funny, too!"

If you are thinking about that you might be too old to have a child, or if you for some reason do not have own eggs that work for IVF, it is for you I would like to tell my story. Everyone is welcome to read my story, of course, but the focus is addressed to you who are a bit older.

We all know that sometimes time just flies and one day you find out that your biolocial clock has ticked on way too far, and you sit there knowing that there is something missing in your life, something that most people consider as the most important of all: To have a child. Good thing though, today we have ways of solving that problem, even for those who otherwise would end up childless. Knowledge and technology is there, but in our country, Sweden, the age of the woman is limited for IVF. If you are over 40 years old, there is no clinic who will help you even if it is not illegal in our country, but it is not ethically recommended.

I was over 50 years old when I realized that it wasn't too late after all.

I had children before, but my husband did not, and I knew that to become a father was something he had been longing for, for a long time. So, I started to read about IVF, egg donation and surrogacy on the internet. I read through website after website, both Swedish and abroad and learned that many women, especially in the UK and USA were able to have children very late in life due to IVF. I made contact with clinics all over the world, India, UK, USA, the Eastern blocks and finally Greece. I found out that the price for donor egg IVF differed very much between the different clinics and most of them showed very high rates of pregnancies and babies born. What should I believe in? When I finally read about EMBIO Medical Center in Athens, I knew that I had found the right clinic. The service and attention I got was unbeatable. One might think they worked 24/7, just for us. We decided that EMBIO was the clinic we would use. They had no long waiting lists and the prices were not higher than anywhere else.

In Sweden it is very hard to find a doctor who is willing to take the tests needed for IVF, if you are older than 39-40 years. Luckily I found one who took the tests, but she was not willing to prescribe the hormones that I needed. Again, it was not ethically right! EMBIO Clinic helped me to find a clinic in Stockholm, though, who could give me the medication, but I preferred to order it directly from EMBIO, since they knew exactly what kind of medication I needed. The clinic in Stockholm helped me with the ultrasounds etc. I still had my own eggs I could have tried for the IVF, but we chose to use donated eggs since the risks were bigger with my eggs. I had also read about egg donations and knew how much the ”carrying mother” affected the baby after all. That was enough for me.

I and EMBIO Clinic made plans and after only a few weeks I was ready to start the treatment. We got to choose the donor and we also sent a photo of me to the clinic so they could find me a suitable match. I had the medication sent to me to Sweden by DHL, who dropped them off at my door, and the treament started. I had been on birthcontrol pills a couple of months earlier just to avoid that my own period would disturb the treatment. The donor and I started the hormone treatment simultaneously, and we hoped for many great eggs from the donor.

We booked a hotel in the central parts of Athens, just to be able to enjoy our trip a little more as tourists.We also thought that if the treatment didn't work, at least we had had a great vacation. We chose to stay 3-4 nights which is enough to get everything done. Directly when we landed we took a Taxi to the clinc to leave the sperm sample and two days later we went back to do the transfer. I rested a day at the hotel and the next day we flew home.

The embryo transfer procedure was very simple and painless and the wonderful crue at the clinic made sure we felt safe and well treated. The atmosphere at the clinic was very happy and warm and everything went fine without any delays. You decide together with Dr Paraschos how many eggs you will use. The chance to get pregnant increases with more than one embryo, also the risk of having twins or triplets, but that is for everyone to decide.

When we got home I continued with the medication and already after nine days we took the test, which was positive. Unfortunately I misscarried in week five, but it didn't feel too bad, since we now knew I could get pregnant. We tried two more times, the second time I didn't get pregnant but the third I did, with twins.

My pregnancy was absolutely great, even if the doctors in Sweden were a bit sceptical. A twin pregnancy is often a risk pregnancy, and my age could give even more risks, but I was lucky. I felt morning sickness for 17 weeks, and had some heartburn through the whole pregnancy, but that was all. All tests on both I and the babies were 100% good so I worked untill week 33 and I was delivered as planned week 38. The doctors wanted me to go on sick leave already week 25 just in case, but I felt great and didn't see any reason for it. I got to choose whether I would give birth normally or by caesarean section, we chose the latter. We didn't want to risk anything when everything else had gone so well.

The babies, a boy 3000g and a girl 2500g, both beautiful and healthy, three months today, are keeping us busy all the time. Two babies are a handful, but the time goes fast and we are trying to enjoy the babies even if it is hard sometimes.

So, if any of you readers are thinking about having a child and feeling that you are too old, think again. Today ”fifty is the new forty” as the commercial for a beauty cream says, and actually that is how it is. Besides, a womb does not have an ”age” as eggs do.

I also know that we, especially Swedes, often have preconceived ideas about health care in southern european countries, but it really doesn't have to be like that. Even though Greece has economical problems today which affects their health care system, EMBIO Medical Center is operating very well as usual, and I truly recommend the clinic to everyone who is thinking about having a baby, at any age.

If you have any questions or would like to have some help with plans for the trip, please do not hesitate to contact me trough EMBIO, I will be happy to help you.

If you want any more information on my IVF experience with egg donation at EmBIO...

Please give your phone number to IVF Coordinator, and I can talk to you on the phone.

Dear Dr. Thanos, Konstantinos, and the entire EMBIO team,

I’m writing to you from my home in Manchester with the most wonderful news—news I had almost given up hope on. I am pregnant with twins! It still feels like a beautiful dream, and it’s all thanks to the incredible journey I took with you.

As a 38-year-old single woman who has always longed to be a mother, the dream felt more and more distant, especially with the daunting cost of fertility treatments here in England. But from my very first email to your clinic, that feeling of hopelessness began to fade. The kind, reassuring phone call I received just a day later gave me a spark of hope I hadn't felt in a long time.

I admit, traveling to Greece alone for something so deeply personal was nerve-wracking. Yet, from the moment I walked through your doors, I felt completely safe and cared for. Dr. Thanos, your calm expertise gave me so much strength. Your team transformed my fear into a genuine excitement for the future. And now, to be pregnant after our very first IVF attempt is a miracle I will cherish forever.

My coordinator, Konstantinos, you have been an absolute rock. Thank you for being my "brother" through all of this, for answering every little question and checking in, even from thousands of miles away. Your constant guidance has meant the world to me.

I also want to send a special thank you to the lovely ladies at reception, whose warm smiles always made my day brighter.

You have given me more than a successful treatment; you have given me the gift of a family. I will be forever grateful for your kindness, your professionalism, and for making my dream a reality.

With all my love and gratitude,

Hello Elena and Dr Paraschos,

My husband and I wanted to let you know we finally announced the arrival of baby daughter safely into our lives.

She was born on 3/4/2020 at 8:10pm weighing 2.670gms and 45 cms. She is healthy and doing very well. I had a great pregnancy and natural delivery also.

My husband and I wanted to thank you both (as well as the donor) from the bottom of our hearts for all your help throughout our journey, as without you this beautiful blessing would not have been possible. A big big thank you from both of us!!! We will always be very grateful for what you helped us with.

I have attached some pictures of our beautiful daughter.

Much love,
K. and C.
Xox

At Embio, we have been receiving a steady stream of thank-you cards from happy parents all over the world. Most of these cards are from couples or individuals who had a successful IVF treatment. However, Dr. Thanos Paraschos is also an obstetrician who has brought thousands of babies into the world. This photograph is from a family whose three children were all brought to life by Dr. Paraschos.

The Pateritsas couple fulfilled their lifelong dream of creating a family of five. Their journey began in 2017 and was completed in 2021 under the supervision and expertise of Dr. Paraschos. He successfully delivered all three babies with normal delivery, ensuring the safety of both the mother and the children.

Their first child, Naya, was born on May 9, 2018, followed by Giannis on April 17, 2019, and finally Stefanos on April 12, 2021. All three children were born in the spring, bringing joy and renewal to the family with each birth.

As the siblings continue to grow and thrive, we wish them a lifetime of happiness.

At the age of 31, I found out that I couldn't get pregnant with my own eggs due to a genetic condition called Turner syndrome. When I received this news, it felt like my world had shattered. However, I was fortunate enough to have a solution available: using donated eggs. Initially, it was difficult for me to accept this option, but after a few weeks of contemplation, I decided that my desire to have children was more important than my initial reservations about using someone else's eggs.

I started to look for egg donation, but in England, it's very complicated and a very long process to go through. I was not getting younger and time was precious; I wanted nothing more than becoming pregnant one day--I had dreamed about being a mom since childhood! 

A couple of months later I unexpectedly bumped into an old friend and she told me about the Embio clinic in Athens. They have a large database of egg donors, making it easy for us to find one compatible with our characteristics.

As soon as we spoke over the phone, they arranged my visit to Athens, where everything went smoothly from there on, including being able to choose between different donor profiles beforehand! 

It's been 10 months since then, and now I'm finally holding my healthy baby boy who is just perfect in every way imaginable thanks to these wonderful people.

Thank you Dr Paraschos!

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Dear Konstantinos,

Words cannot truly express how grateful we are for our beautiful daughter, Chloé. Seeing her smile every day is a dream realized, thanks to the wonderful care and successful treatment we received in Greece.

We especially want to extend our deepest thanks to you. Your guidance, patience, and constant support made the entire journey, especially coming from France, feel so much smoother and more secure. You were always there for us, answering every question with kindness.

Thank you all again for helping bring our precious Chloé into the world.

With warmest regards,

Dear Dr. Paraschos,

I am writing this message to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your entire team for the exceptional care and supervision I received.

Admittedly, I was a little skeptical at first and may not have fully understood everything initially. However, by my second visit, I felt incredibly safe and comfortable with the process.

Being in a unique situation compared to most women who visit your clinic, I was on the verge of giving up after our first IVF attempt. Even my husband, considering that we already have four wonderful children, felt that we should not try again. I must admit that I felt discouraged both before and after the first transfer for various reasons, the main one being that I looked around at all the other women and questioned my presence there. I don't know exactly why these thoughts crossed my mind, maybe it was the influence of the hormones.

I am sharing all of this with you for a reason. As I mentioned earlier, after a positive and then a negative blood test after the first transfer, I was hopeless, like all women who undergo this procedure. I was ready to give up on my dream of having another baby. However, at the end of my narrow, dark tunnel was a ray of hope, and that light was Anna, my IVF coordinator. She had an unparalleled ability to hold my hand and guide me out of that tunnel. With her professionalism and most importantly, her genuine compassion, she knew exactly how to offer words of comfort after my loss and reignite my hope. Her words completely changed my perspective on trying a second time, and as a result, my husband changed his mind as well. You probably know Anna better than I could ever know her, and it is impossible for me to convey all that she has done for me in a single message. I can only say that she is, as we say in French, "la perle rare" (the rare pearl).

At this moment, as I write this message, I am still unsure if I am pregnant or not, although I maintain a high level of optimism. In my daily life, I am someone who believes in expressing my thoughts, whether they are positive or negative. Maybe I had some questions during my first visit. Therefore, I believe it is even more important to acknowledge when things are going well and when you are satisfied. So I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you and your entire team, but a very special thank you to Anna, who has become more of a family member to me than just my IVF coordinator.

Hoping to share good news with you soon, I wish you all the best.
Thank you, Embio.

Words cannot express the overwhelming gratitude and joy my partner and I experienced on our extraordinary journey with Dr. Paraschos at Embio in Athens, Greece. After struggling with infertility for years, we made the life-changing decision to pursue IVF, and little did we know that our dreams would be doubled in the most beautiful way imaginable.

From the moment we stepped into the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Embio, we were met with exceptional care and professionalism. Dr. Paraschos, with his extensive expertise and compassionate approach, guided us through every step of the process, instilling confidence and reassurance during what can be an emotionally challenging time. His dedication to his patients' well-being is truly unmatched.

Embarking on the IVF journey was a rollercoaster ride, but Dr. Paraschos and his remarkable team provided unwavering support and encouragement throughout. Their attention to detail, meticulous planning, and state-of-the-art facilities left no room for doubt that we were in the hands of skilled experts. The comprehensive explanations and thorough discussions helped us understand each phase of the treatment, allowing us to make informed decisions.

Our dreams turned into reality when we were blessed with not just one, but two healthy baby boys. The positive twin outcome we achieved under Dr. Paraschos' guidance is a testament to his proficiency and the personalized care he provides. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for the miracles he helped bring into our lives.

It's worth mentioning that the entire staff at Embio contributed to our extraordinary experience. From the compassionate nurses to the friendly administrative team, everyone played a crucial role in making our time at Embio a memorable and positive one. They treated us like family, ensuring that we always felt comfortable and supported.

Moreover, the serene and welcoming environment of Embio created a sense of tranquility during what can be a stressful journey. The modern facilities, advanced equipment, and adherence to the highest standards of safety and cleanliness further solidified our trust in Dr. Paraschos and his team.

Choosing Embio and working with Dr. Paraschos was undoubtedly the best decision we ever made. Our twin boys are the greatest gift we could have ever imagined, and we are forever indebted to the expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication of Dr. Paraschos and the entire Embio team.

If you are considering IVF and searching for a compassionate, knowledgeable, and highly skilled specialist, we wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Paraschos at Embio. May your journey be as miraculous and joyous as ours, and may you find the same hope and happiness that we experienced in the beautiful city of Athens, Greece.

Thank you, Dr. Paraschos, for turning our dreams into reality and bringing immense joy into our lives. You are a true miracle worker!

With eternal gratitude,

I wanted to get pregnant and living in the United States, it was too expensive; I decided to do thorough research and came across the EMBIO Fertility clinic in Athens, Greece. I had no idea what to do so I emailed the facility and, within 24 hrs received a lovely email along with a phone call. It was truly amazing and remarkable. Before I knew it, I took the plunge and traveled alone to Greece with no family or any help but decided to listen to the doctors and just do it. I am so grateful and glad I chose them because they are a wonderful and remarkable team. They are amazing! Konstantinos was fantastic; he never left my side and walked me through every step of the way till NOW.

I am back in the States and Pregnant on my first try with Multiple kids, but it is still too early to tell (possibly 4 weeks). But this message is to everyone who is scared, alone, and not sure what to expect. Trust Konstantinos and Dr Thanos, they will not let you down. They will hold your hand every step of the way. I am really thinking of going back to have my delivery in Greece because, coming back to the States, I realized that the treatment I got there was 1st Class. I got treated like a Queen, and I do not get that here in the States. Till now I cannot get my medications for my Pregnancy, and my 1st Scan is a month away.

These Doctors and Facility ARE THE BEST IN THE WHOLE WORLD. I would give them 100 stars... GO TO THEM... U will not be disappointed.. Trust me! I am living proof. I had it done, and I cannot say enough good things about them. Konstantinos still calls me in the States and tells me what to do, and I trust him blindly.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Thanos Paraschos and Anna Karamitrou for their great support and humanity. Thanks to them, l became a mother at the age of 50 and gave birth to a little angel, Theodore. Wherever l turned for help, everyone told me that l had no chance. Until l read about Dr. Thanos from Athens and the emBIO clinic via Google and got it touch with him. From the first moment l felt safe and immediately decided to work with them out of body.

I succeeded from the first time thanks to their expertise. So l would sincerely recommend the emBIO clinic to everyone, because they have hope for everything. l cant wait for Theodore to grow up so we can go to Athens and visit our guardian angels Dr. Thanos and Anna, because if it weren't for them, it wouldn't be for Theodore either..

Greetings from Danijela from Belgrade