Reciprocal IVF at Pacific Fertility Center

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What Is Reciprocal IVF?

Reciprocal in vitro fertilization (IVF), also known as shared motherhood or co-IVF, is a fertility treatment option designed for same-sex female couples. In this process, one partner provides the eggs, while the other partner carries the pregnancy. This approach allows both partners to participate biologically in the conception and gestation of their child, fostering a deep emotional connection.

At Pacific Fertility Center, we've helped many LGBTQ+ patients grow their families through advanced fertility care options like reciprocal IVF. We take pride in providing inclusive care and a supportive environment where everyone feels welcome and heard.

The Reciprocal IVF Process at Pacific Fertility Center

Reciprocal IVF follows the same process as traditional IVF — ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. Unlike traditional IVF, where one partner undergoes all the procedures, reciprocal IVF involves medical preparation for both partners: one partner provides the eggs while the other receives the embryo transfer.

Step 1: Egg Retrieval and IVF Laboratory Care

  • Ovarian stimulation and monitoring: One partner undergoes ovarian stimulation through hormonal treatments, which are closely monitored by blood tests and ultrasounds, to increase the number of mature eggs available for retrieval

  • Egg retrieval: Egg retrieval is a minor surgical procedure performed by reproductive specialists and done under sedation to extract eggs from the ovaries using a thin needle, timed just before ovulation.

  • Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are fertilized with donor sperm in Pacific Fertility Center's IVF laboratory.

  • Embryo development and freezing: After fertilization, eggs develop into embryos, which the embryology team monitors for growth over several days to determine viability for transfer or freezing.

Step 2: Preparing the Gestational Partner

  • Uterine health evaluation: A thorough evaluation of the gestational partner's uterine health, including ultrasounds to check for abnormalities and hormonal assessments, is essential before beginning the process to ensure a suitable environment for embryo implantation.

  • Hormonal preparation of the uterine lining: Hormonal preparation of the uterine lining involves administering estrogen to thicken the endometrium, followed by progesterone to stabilize it for implantation, with careful monitoring to adjust dosages as needed.

  • Timing coordination between partners: Effective coordination between partners in reciprocal IVF is crucial for timing embryo transfers, ensuring the gestational carrier’s uterine lining is ready for embryo implantation.

Step 3: Embryo Transfer and Early Pregnancy Care

  • Embryo transfer: The procedure resembles standard IVF, where selected embryos at the blastocyst stage are placed into the carrier partner's uterus using a thin catheter.

  • Early pregnancy monitoring: Following embryo transfer, early pregnancy monitoring involves blood tests and ultrasounds to confirm implantation and subsequent ultrasounds to ensure healthy embryo development and normal pregnancy progression.

  • Transition to obstetric care when appropriate: As the pregnancy progresses, the couple will enter routine obstetric care, receiving prenatal support from an obstetrician or midwife.

Using Donor Sperm

When using donor sperm, couples can choose between sperm banks and known donors, each with unique benefits and challenges. Sperm banks offer a wide selection of donors who have undergone thorough medical screening and testing, ensuring safety and health. Alternatively, a known donor can foster a more personal connection, though this approach may involve additional legal and logistical considerations, such as clarifying parental rights and responsibilities.

Choosing a sperm donor is a very personal decision. At Pacific Fertility Center, our experienced team is here to help you navigate the donor selection process and answer any questions you may have.

Choosing Roles: Egg Provider vs. Gestational Partner

When determining roles in reciprocal IVF, several key factors should be considered. Medical considerations, such as age, ovarian reserve, and uterine health, can significantly influence the decision of who will act as the egg provider and who will serve as the gestational carrier.

Personal preferences and emotional considerations also play an important role, as each partner may have different feelings about their roles in the process. Flexibility in planning is also essential, as these roles can change over time. Some couples find it helpful to switch roles for future pregnancies or adjust their plans based on new medical information.

Pacific Fertility Center's care team is committed to collaborating with couples to ensure their decisions align with both their medical needs and emotional well-being.

Reciprocal IVF Success Rates & What Affects Outcomes

Several factors can influence success rates with reciprocal IVF. Age is one of the most significant factors, as younger individuals tend to have higher-quality eggs, which directly impacts embryo health and overall viability. Healthy embryos increase the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy.

Personalized treatment planning is crucial, as each couple's circumstances and needs are unique. A tailored approach ensures that every aspect of the process is optimized to maximize the likelihood of success. 

At Pacific Fertility Center, we're committed to transparency and data-driven care, providing couples with the information and support they need to make informed decisions throughout their reciprocal IVF journey.

Reciprocal IVF FAQs

  • The key difference between traditional IVF and reciprocal IVF is how each partner participates in the process. In traditional IVF, one person typically undergoes both the egg retrieval and embryo transfer and carries the pregnancy. In reciprocal IVF, the roles are shared: one partner provides the eggs while the other carries the pregnancy.

  • The overall cost of reciprocal IVF can vary based on clinic fees, medications, donor sperm, and genetic testing. Typically, the costs range from $15,000 to $30,000. Many couples often budget more to cover additional factors that may arise during the process.

  • Similar to traditional IVF, insurance typically doesn't cover reciprocal IVF unless there is a medical necessity. Often, this requires an "infertility" diagnosis that many LGBTQ+ couples don't have. However, this is changing, particularly in states like California, where new laws mandate coverage for IVF and related treatments for all genders. Coverage varies, with some plans covering diagnostics or medications but not procedures, so it's important to speak with your provider before starting treatment.

  • Reciprocal IVF babies have DNA from one partner (the egg provider) and the sperm donor, but not from the partner who carries the pregnancy. While only one partner is genetically related to the child, both partners are biologically connected, as the gestational partner influences the baby's development during pregnancy.

  • Yes, both partners must undergo comprehensive fertility testing for reciprocal IVF. The partner providing their eggs will have their ovarian reserve assessed through blood tests and ultrasounds, while the partner carrying the pregnancy will undergo a uterine evaluation to ensure a healthy environment for implantation.

  • Partners may change roles in reciprocal IVF due to new medical information or during subsequent pregnancies. This is a common practice for couples who want to have multiple children and wish for both partners to experience pregnancy and share a biological connection to their family.

  • Embryos created during reciprocal IVF can be frozen (cryopreserved) for future pregnancies. This allows couples to have more children from a single egg retrieval cycle, provides the opportunity to try again if the first transfer fails, or enables them to postpone pregnancy.

  • In cases where neither partner in a same-sex couple can carry a pregnancy due to health, age, or uterine factors, they can choose to use a gestational carrier (surrogate). This carrier can carry an embryo created from one partner's egg and donor sperm. If there are concerns about egg quality, the couple can also use donor eggs with the gestational carrier.

Choose Pacific Fertility Center for Reciprocal IVF in San Francisco

At Pacific Fertility Center, we have years of experience in advanced IVF care and are dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans based on thorough fertility evaluations. Our state-of-the-art laboratory, combined with our clinical expertise, ensures that patients receive the highest standard of care.

We understand the diverse needs of families and have extensive experience supporting same-sex female couples and LGBTQ+ families on their reproductive journeys. We invite you to take the first step toward building your family by scheduling a consultation at one of our clinics located in the San Francisco Bay Area or Marin County. Your path to parenthood is important to us, and we're here to support you every step of the way.