Reciprocal IVF

There are several possible pathways to parenthood for LGBTQ+ people. Reciprocal IVF is a variation of the standard in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure which enables both partners to be involved in creating and carrying a pregnancy.

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What is reciprocal IVF?

Reciprocal IVF, also known as shared parenthood, involves using the eggs from one partner to create embryos that are then transferred into the uterus of the other partner.

This method is ideal for lesbian, same-sex female, trans-man, or non-binary couples where one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy.

A thorough fertility assessment will help determine which partner will donate eggs and who will act as the gestational carrier and birth parent. You will also decide whose sperm to use, whether from a co-parent or a donor.

How does reciprocal IVF work?

Reciprocal IVF is a form of IVF treatment that allows both partners in a same-sex female or trans-masculine couple to be physically involved in the pregnancy journey.

As with standard in vitro fertilisation, eggs are collected from one partner and fertilised with donor sperm in a laboratory. These embryos are then cultured for several days before being transferred into the uterus of the other partner.

In this process, the first partner becomes the genetic parent, while the second partner, who carries the embryo, is the gestational or birth parent. This shared approach to parenthood is what makes the reciprocal IVF process so meaningful for many LGBTQ+ couples.

Treatment

What is the reciprocal IVF process?

We understand that knowing what to expect from a typical IVF journey can be useful when planning your next steps. Here's what a typical IVF journey looks like at TFP Fertility.

Fertility assessment and consultation

Most fertility journeys with us start with some fertility tests, to help us determine the best course of treatment. For reciprocal IVF, this may help us determine which partner donates their eggs and which becomes the gestational carrier.

Counselling

Specialist counselling is available at any stage throughout your treatment. Fertility treatment can be both physically and emotionally draining and counselling provides additional support should you need it.

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Treatment planning

At your treatment planning appointment, we'll explain your treatment in full and take you through your regime of fertility drugs and how to use them. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions you have before treatment starts.

Ovarian stimulation

The partner donating their eggs will begin treatment with a daily injection to stimulate follicular growth within the ovaries. This increases the number of eggs that are collected. In most cases, this is a 14-day course of hormone medication.

Suppressing your natural menstrual cycle

Suppressing the natural menstrual cycle

A second daily injection is then added at home to stop natural hormone production and control when your eggs are released. This ensures that the eggs are available for collection during the egg retrieval procedure.

Monitoring scans

Pelvic scans will be performed to check the development and growth of the follicles in the ovaries. This will determine when the eggs are collected from the follicles. Once your follicles are ready, you'll take a trigger injection to mature the eggs ready for collection.

Egg collection

36-40 hours after the trigger injection, you'll have your egg collection procedure. A needle is gently guided through the vaginal wall to capture the eggs one by one. You will be sedated for this part of the procedure to ensure no pain or discomfort.

Fertilisation

Your eggs will be washed and assessed by an embryologist. Following this, healthy eggs are mixed with sperm and left to fertilise the egg naturally.

Embryo development

Embryos are cultured in the lab for 5-6 days until they reach the blastocyst stage. The gestational carrier’s cycle will be monitored during this stage to ensure the uterine lining is the correct thickness when the embryo is transferred.

Embryo transfer

When the time comes, the best embryo/s is chosen for insemination and any remaining healthy embryos can be frozen and stored for use in future cycles.