IVF and Reciprocal IVF for lesbian couples: An in-depth guide
Fertility treatments like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and Reciprocal IVF offer popular and meaningful pathways to parenthood for lesbian couples looking to start or grow their family. IVF allows one partner to carry a pregnancy using donor sperm, while Reciprocal IVF enables both partners to be physically involved - one provides the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy. In this article, we will explain the differences between these two treatments and help you explore which option may be the best fit for your journey to parenthood.
A brief introduction to IVF and reciprocal IVF
IVF
- IVF is a common fertility treatment that helps individuals or couples conceive by combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a lab.
- The fertilised embryo is then transferred to the uterus, where it may implant and grow into a pregnancy.
- Most risks associated with IVF are mild and relate to hormonal stimulation and the egg retrieval process.
- When using donor sperm or donor eggs in IVF, it is important to understand the legal framework in your country. Be sure to research fertility and donor regulations before beginning treatment.
Reciprocal IVF
- Reciprocal IVF, or shared motherhood, allows both women to be an active part of conceiving a child.
- One partner delivers the egg while one partner carries the pregnancy to term, giving both partners a unique connection to the child.
- The risks of using reciprocal IVF are mild and often caused by hormonal stimulation.
- When using reciprocal IVF with donor sperm, there are legal considerations. Research the laws of fertility treatment and sperm donation in your treatment country before ordering the donor sperm.
Let us help you on your journey to parenthood
At Cryos, we give you full access to see all donor profiles including pictures, voice recordings, handwritten letters, and more. Just create an online account by providing only your name, email, and country. A Cryos account is free and non-binding.
Reciprocal IVF – the preferred option for many lesbian couples
Reciprocal IVF (also known as partner IVF or shared motherhood) is a popular choice for many lesbian couples. Reciprocal IVF allows both partners to participate in the journey of parenthood with one partner donating their eggs, while the other partner carries the pregnancy to term. Here is a brief overview of the most important parts of the process:
- Egg donation: One partner has her eggs retrieved before being fertilised by sperm from a donor.
- Embryo transfer: The fertilised eggs are transferred into the uterus of the woman carrying the pregnancy.
This method allows both partners to have a biological connection to their child - one genetically and the other through pregnancy and childbirth. Many believe that a shared biological involvement can foster a deeper bond.
It is important to research legal considerations and explore options like fertility tourism if needed. For more insights, visit stories from couples like Phoebe and her wife, who travelled abroad for treatment.
What is the difference between IVF and Reciprocal IVF?
For lesbian couples looking to start a family, the journey to parenthood often involves some sort of fertility treatment. In recent years, more lesbian couples have chosen IVF treatment or Reciprocal IVF with donor sperm to fulfil their dream of a child. Here below, we explain the difference between the two treatment types.
| Treatment method | Treatment process | Benefits | Cost |
| IVF (In vitro fertilization) | In IVF, fertility medication is used to increase egg production. The eggs are then retrieved and fertilized with sperm. Hopefully, embryos develop and a single embryo will be transferred to the woman's uterus. | Increased chance of pregnancy, as fertilization occurs in a laboratory. | IVF treatment often starts at 5000 GBP per cycle. |
| Reciprocal IVF | In reciprocal IVF, one partner's eggs are stimulated, retrieved, and fertilized. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the other partner's uterus, allowing her to carry the pregnancy. | Both partners are involved in the process: one as the mother providing the eggs and the other as the gestational mother. | The cost of reciprocal IVF tends to be a bit higher than IVF, as it is a more complicated process. |
Both treatment types are great pregnancy options for lesbian couples. Regardless of your choice IVF and Reciprocal IVF require the purchase of donor sperm. If you are considering entering IVF treatment as a lesbian couple and are curious about the donors available in our Donor Search or the pricing of donor sperm, then visit the links below:
The process of IVF treatment and reciprocal IVF explained
IVF is an artificial insemination technique where embryologists fertilize an egg with sperm in a laboratory. This process includes the unique option of having reciprocal IVF, which is highlighted in step 5.
Illustration of the IVF treatment process
- Step 1 - Ovary stimulation: The process begins with fertility medication to increase egg production. The medication is typically injected during a period of one to two weeks before the retrieval.
- Step 2 - Monitoring the eggs: Regular ultrasound scans are conducted to monitor egg development. Follicle size and growth are measured to determine when to use a trigger shot.
- Step 3 - Egg retrieval: Once one or more eggs have matured, it is time for egg retrieval, where a fertility doctor gently retrieves the eggs from each follicle and places them in a dish. Expect to take the rest of the day off, as you need rest.
- Step 4 - Fertilization: Mature eggs are then fertilised with donor sperm and monitored for five or six days.
- Step 5 - Embryo transfer (where IVF separates from reciprocal IVF): Any successfully developed embryos will be transferred to the uterus of the person who intends to carry the pregnancy, this can be the same woman or a partner (reciprocal IVF). It is normal to only transfer one embryo, as the rest are frozen and stored. A pregnancy test is performed after two weeks to confirm the outcome.
Health risks: IVF is a generally safe procedure with common risks that are well-understood and manageable. Risks include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which is rare and typically mild, and other temporary side effects from hormonal changes.
Legal considerations: Lesbian couples need to be aware of their legal rights, especially in reciprocal IVF. The egg-donating partner might require legal steps to establish parental rights. If you are in doubt, contact a lawyer to ensure the protection of both parents and children.
The difference in cost of IVF and reciprocal IVF
In the UK, the initial price for IVF treatment begins at 5000 GBP per cycle. However, depending on different factors like your location, the number of treatments required, and clinic packages this cost can increase. Typically, the treatment includes consultations with fertility experts, ultrasound scans, blood testing, medicines, and the actual IVF procedure. Before entering treatment, we recommend you research whether your insurance makes you eligible for fertility treatment in the public healthcare system, as it often helps reduce the total cost of IVF treatment. Follow the link to read more about the cost of having IVF in the UK.
The cost of reciprocal IVF varies depending on factors such as the country in which you receive treatment and the fertility clinic you choose. Compared to traditional IVF, reciprocal IVF tends to have a higher overall cost as the procedure is more complicated than normal IVF.
Success rates for IVF treatment with frozen embryos
According to the NHS, the birth rate per frozen embryo transferred for IVF treatment in 2021 was:
- 31% for women under 35
- 27% for women aged 35 to 37
- 22% for women aged 38 to 39
- 17% for women aged 40 to 42
- 14% for women aged 43 to 44
- 17% for women aged over 44
IVF is not the only option for lesbian couples
This blog post mainly focuses on in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for lesbian couples, but it is also important to mention the other available treatment options for lesbian couples hoping to fulfil their dream of parenthood. The other options include:
If you are considering entering IVF treatment as a lesbian couple and are curious about the donors available in our Donor Search, then follow the link to our Sperm Donor Search.
Relevant articles about IVF
- Why does IVF fail?
- What is the minimum sperm count for IVF treatment?
- The disadvantages of using IVF to have a baby
Find a sperm donor for LGBT+ couples
At Cryos we care about being an LGBT+ friendly sperm bank, and about 35% of the people we help are lesbian couples trying to conceive with donor sperm. We have the world's largest donor selection, and you can browse through our free donor search to find the perfect match.