A Christian couple has been blessed with a baby girl through an unusual procedure: using an embryo that had been kept frozen for 17 years, or even before the two of them actually met.

Elizabeth Wilson had experienced difficulty in conceiving her second child with her husband Marty. This led them to decide to seek the help of the Nightlight Christian Adoptions, an organisation that provides the means to utilise over 1,000 embryos from in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures from years back, instead of just disposing them.

According to a report from Christian News, the group helped match the Christian couple to an embryo that was frozen back in November 1998. The embryo was sent to them via courier service, and was implanted to Elizabeth's womb upon her doctor's approval.

Writing on the Baby Center blog, Elizabeth shared how she held on to her faith in God while undergoing the unusual procedure, which enabled her to conceive a healthy baby.

"I knew I had done absolutely everything I could to prepare for successful transfer and pregnancy," she said. "Realising that anything can happen, I, at least, prepped myself for the best possible chance of achieving our dreams."

The Christian couple's prayers were answered, with Elizabeth giving birth to a beautiful baby girl, whom they named Marley Jade Wilson. The mother thinks God really reserved the child for them to have.

"Marley is perfect in every way. Marley was created and saved for us before my husband and I even met, and before I even knew I would want children one day. It shows God has the perfect plan," she said.

The Wilsons have been communicating with Marley's biological parents, and are recommending other couples to undergo the same procedure.

"Much like any major decision, the process has its high points and low points. Just stay the course and keep the dream alive. Your baby is out there," Elizabeth said.

"For families considering donating their embryos, you will help another couple realise their dreams of starting or expanding their family," she added.