Gen X Woman Is Mom to Quadruplets—Born Years Apart

A woman's story about how she is going to be the mother to quadruplets has recently gone viral on TikTok. But there's a twist, the four boys were all born years apart.

Tanis Larson, 44, and her husband were diagnosed with unexplained infertility in 2010. After numerous attempts to conceive naturally, they turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF). This initial success led to the birth of their eldest son, now 12, and subsequently, two more sons from the same IVF cycle, now aged 10 and 8.

Recently, Larson announced via a TikTok video (@tanislarson1) that she is pregnant with a 13-year-old frozen embryo that racked up over 625,000 views.

She told Newsweek: "My three now know their story of being all in one 'dish' as we like to say."

She explained that her sons, who she doesn't wish to be named, look "similar but not like triplets."

"They are excited to meet their new baby brother coming this May. They wonder who he will look like," she told Newsweek.

At the time of writing, hundreds of TikTok users have been drawn in by her story and almost 180 have commented on the viral clip.

One user said: "Wow!! Congrats thank you for sharing this with us!! Gives some humans out there some hope. And it shows it's never to late."

Another said: "That is really cool!!!"

A third commenter wrote: "That is so wild."

Freezing Embryos Explained

Embryo freezing involves harvesting eggs, fertilizing them to create embryos, allowing them to grow for several days, and then freezing them. This process, also known as embryo cryopreservation, uses a technique called vitrification. The Johns Hopkins Medicine website explains that vitrification replaces the water in embryo cells with a protectant fluid and employs liquid nitrogen for flash-freezing.

This method prevents ice crystal formation that could damage the cells. The frozen embryos can later be thawed and implanted for pregnancy attempts.

Larson told Newsweek: "The cost of IVF in 2010 was $6,310 ($8,500 CAD), and the annual fee to keep your embryos frozen ranges but it used to be $185 ($250 CAD) per year.

Due to inflation, the yearly fee has increased from $185 ($250 CAD) to $482 ($650 CAD). The Larsons consider the chance to grow their family to be priceless, even with the associated financial costs.

While fertility treatment isn't accessible for everyone, Larson's journey is a testament to hope and perseverance.

She told Newsweek: "I became fertile at 39 and got pregnant for the first time at 40, 41, and 42. I had two natural pregnancies," Larson emphasized, urging others not to give up on their fertility dreams.

At 44, Larson is enthusiastic about welcoming another child, challenging societal norms around fertility and age.

"We are excited!" she explained: "I have never defined my life by age. It is my health and how I feel."

This perspective is shared by her husband, and together they appreciate the financial stability and experiences they can offer their six children.

As the Larsons prepare for their next child's arrival, they look forward to the continued development of their unique family relationships.

She told Newsweek: "I believe as they grow older they will have an amazing story and bond for life."

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