Reciprocal IVF, also known as shared motherhood or partner-assisted reproduction, is a type of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment designed for same-sex female couples or transgender patients who have not yet medically transitioned. It allows both partners to actively participate in the process of creating their family.
In reciprocal IVF, one partner provides the eggs, which are then fertilised with donor sperm, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the other partner's uterus for pregnancy. This allows the couple to share the biological and gestational aspects of parenthood.
When you're ready to start your fertility journey, our friendly team will be there to discuss getting pregnant through reciprocal IVF and offer any advice you need before treatment.
Get in touch with our welcoming New Patient team today to begin the process:
Couples meet with a member of our team to discuss their medical history, evaluate their fertility potential, and understand the process and requirements of reciprocal IVF.
Both partners will be invited to a fertility review which is a in-depth look at their overall fertility health. The review includes AMH blood tests, pelvic ultrasound scans, blood pressure and height and weight checks for both partners.
Additional blood screening tests and enhanced screening for the partner donating eggs will also be undertaken.
Donor selection can evoke various emotions and psychological considerations. We will provide a session with one of our dedicated counsellors before treatment commences to help navigate the emotional aspects and guide the decision-making process.
The partner donating eggs for treatment will proceed with ovarian stimulation which involves using tailored doses of fertility drugs to help produce mature eggs.
A ‘trigger’ injection of fertility medications is administered to assist with the final maturation of eggs and loosening of the eggs from the follicle walls.
Around 35-38 hours after the ‘trigger’ injection, egg collection takes place in our clinic theatre under ultrasound guidance. The eggs are retrieved from the follicles where they have been growing. Before the egg collection you will be sedated by an NHS anaesthetist.
The sperm sample from your chosen sperm donor is washed and prepared. It is then either added to the eggs or a single healthy sperm injected into the egg using Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), approximately four hours after egg retrieval.
We monitor your eggs for signs of fertilisation. This usually occurs 16-18 hours after insemination.
The created embryos are placed in an incubator where they grow in the lab for the next two to five days. Our embryologists keep you updated on the progress of your embryos and advise when your embryo transfer will take place.
The embryo chosen by our embryologists is transferred under ultrasound guidance into the uterus (of the partner who will carry the pregnancy) by our fertility consultants in our specially-designed embryo transfer room.
Any remaining good quality embryos that are not transferred are frozen and stored. Frozen embryos can be used in subsequent cycles if the first cycle is not successful or for sibling pregnancy.
You can take a home pregnancy test around two weeks after your embryo transfer. During this time, you will be supported by our clinic midwife. If your test is positive, you will be booked in for your early pregnancy scan about three weeks later.
Reciprocal IVF with Manchester Fertility costs £7,605 for a single cycle.
As our specialist fertility consultants will tailor your treatment plan to your individual needs, your treatment may cost more than this. Rest assured, no matter your circumstances, you will always be offered complete transparency on your treatment and all the advice you need to make informed decisions for your fertility journey.
You can find more details of our IVF treatment packages, including additional costs your treatment may incur, see below or on our latest price list.
*Additional fees appropriate for treatment will also apply, such as pre-treatment consultation, fertility review, blood screening tests and enhanced screening costs for the partner donating eggs.
Your Reciprocal IVF treatment package will include:
(1) Embryo freeze – if all of your embryos are frozen and a replacement does not take place in your treatment cycle, your first frozen embryo transfer will not incur a charge.
Additional Costs in all IVF Partners Cycles:
Additional Costs if applicable:
Many treatment pathway options enable same-sex female couples or couples where one partner cannot conceive or carry a pregnancy to realise their dream of parenthood. So why choose reciprocal IVF?
Shared Biological Connection: Reciprocal IVF allows both partners to share a biological connection with their child, unlike other treatment options.
Equal Involvement: This process enables both partners to actively participate in the conception and pregnancy journey.
Emotional Connection: As both partners are biologically connected to the child, many patients find a stronger emotional connection to the child as one partner has provided eggs and the other partner has experienced the pregnancy.
Selecting a sperm donor for reciprocal IVF is an exciting and important decision. Manchester Fertility will connect you with our expert donation team, who will help you navigate the donor process via their HFEA-regulated sperm bank, Semovo, providing you with UK donor profiles to suit your requirements.
You may want to choose a donor whose physical features align with your preferences or match your partner's. Genetic traits and family medical history can also be important considerations to ensure compatibility and reduce the risk of inherited conditions.
The donor profiles you receive will also include your donor's education, occupation, and interests so you can consider what attributes and qualities are important to you. You may also want to check the availability of your chosen sperm if you are considering further treatment in the future.
Remember, choosing donor sperm is a profoundly personal decision. Take the time to reflect on your preferences, values, and needs and discuss your options with your partner.
We're proud to have invested more than 35 years into supporting LGBTQ+ community through fertility treatment. Read Lydia and Kim's story today and discover their experience of creating their family through Reciprocal IVF at Manchester Fertility.
Manchester Fertility has over 35 years of IVF expertise and consistent patient success. Find out more about us here.
We specialise in individualised IVF treatment that is unique to you, focused on achieving a healthy pregnancy and baby. When you have IVF with us, you can look forward to:
Anamika completed her Obstetrics and Gynaecology training both in India and the UK, and has been a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists since 2005.
Here at Manchester Fertility we're proud of the work we do. We're pioneering putting patients first, ensuring you receive the very best care no matter your background, religion or sexual orientation. Learn more about our work with LGBTQ+ community on our blog.
If you still feel you need more guidance and support, you can book a FREE 1-2-1 discovery meeting to talk through the options available to you.
