Reciprocal IVF allows you and your partner to share the magic of pregnancy
Reproductive medicine has come a long way, and many things that once seemed impossible are now common. One of these wonders is a lesbian fertility option called reciprocal IVF. Also known as co-IVF, this fertility option can allow you and your partner to share a deep connection with your baby. Our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors can help you explore this path to parenthood to determine whether it’s a good fit for you and your partner.
What does reciprocal IVF involve?
In many ways, reciprocal IVF is a lot like IVF with donor sperm. The only difference is that two women are involved in the process instead of just one. While the details of each patient’s fertility journey will be unique, co-IVF involves the same general steps.
Ovarian stimulation helps the ovaries produce and mature multiple eggs during one cycle. The partner who will be providing the eggs for the pregnancy will take injectable fertility medications for about 10 to 14 days. She will also visit our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors for regular monitoring appointments.
Egg retrieval occurs when the eggs have reached maturity. At this time, the woman who has been taking fertility medications will take a shot to trigger ovulation (release of the eggs). About 36 hours later, she will have a short outpatient procedure to remove her mature eggs.
Fertilization in the IVF lab will occur next using donor sperm and a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This lab technique allows an andrologist to inject a single healthy sperm into each egg.
Embryo transfer is the final step, and it involves the partner who did not provide her eggs. After taking medications to prepare her uterine lining, this woman will visit our office. Using a thin tube, the doctor will place an embryo into the uterus through the vagina and cervix. She will then have a pregnancy test about two weeks later.
Fertility testing can help determine what each partner should do
Sometimes, it’s easy to decide who should provide the eggs and who should carry the pregnancy. This is especially true when both patients are healthy, have no fertility issues and clearly know how they want to be involved.
If you and your partner still need help deciding on your reciprocal IVF roles, fertility testing can play an important role. Using tests like bloodwork and ultrasounds, our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors can help determine who has a good egg supply and who has a healthy, normal uterus. If you both do, we can provide advice to help you make a decision about your roles.
If you’d like to learn more about welcoming a baby using co-IVF, contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you explore this beautiful family-building option.
