Reciprocal IVF (Co-IVF) has helped thousands of LGBTQ+ couples turn their family-building dreams into a reality. Through this fertility treatment, lesbian and trans-men couples can embark on the journey to parenthood together, allowing one partner to provide the eggs while the other carries the pregnancy.
The result? A truly special bond between partners and their soon-to-be baby.
If you and your partner are new to co-maternity, then taking the first steps on this empowering IVF journey can be equally exciting and intimidating. From selecting a donor to welcoming your beautiful baby into the world, this comprehensive guide will walk you through:
Let’s get started!
What is Reciprocal IVF?
Reciprocal IVF, also known as co-IVF or co-maternity, is an empowering process that allows same-sex couples assigned female at birth to share a biological connection during pregnancy. Simply put, one partner will provide the eggs, while the other is the gestational carrier.
But how exactly does it work?
One partner will supply the eggs, undergoing ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval to do so. Those eggs are then fertilized using their selected donor sperm.
Finally, the resulting embryos are transferred to the other partner’s uterus.
This journey is truly special, and allows both partners to share motherhood: one genetically, and the other by carrying the pregnancy, unlike with traditional IVF.
For many couples, choosing a sperm donor is a special moment during this unique pathway to parenthood as they work together to choose the best donor for their family.
At Xytex, we’ve helped tens of thousands of people grow their families. Through our rigorous sperm donor screening process, including lab testing and genetics testing, we strive to deliver top-quality specimens and always put your satisfaction journey first.
Before you embark on this life-changing journey, you and your partner must decide who will supply the eggs and who will carry the pregnancy.
Other than personal preference, several factors may influence your decision, such as:
Working closely with a fertility specialist can help you make the most informed decision possible. Your fertility specialist will consult medical evaluations, including:
Additionally, you may want to consider psychological counseling or other support to navigate the emotional complexities and decisions associated with co-maternity.
While the co-IVF journey to parenthood is unique to every couple, here is a brief overview of what you and your partner can expect:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation
Step 3: Egg Retrieval
Step 4: Fertilization with Donor Sperm
Step 5: Embryo Transfer
Step 6: Pregnancy & Birth
Now, let’s take a look at some additional decisions you may want to consider before starting IVF.
Before beginning co-IVF, it’s important to understand the legal parentage for both partners.
Since family and reproductive law can vary depending on where you live, speaking with a lawyer is often the best course of action. A lawyer can help you protect your parental rights and navigate any legal issues:
Additionally, legal protocols might be different if one or both partners are trans-men, depending on local regulations. We recommend speaking with a lawyer before beginning this process to protect your family.
Lesbian and trans-men couples (assigned female at birth) benefit from reciprocal IVF, with both partners often finding the process to be empowering.
Not only does co-IVF allow LGBTQ+ couples to share a biological connection during the pregnancy, but this journey to parenthood can create truly special emotional bonds between partners and baby, allowing same-sex couples to experience “co-maternity,” or shared motherhood.
While the success of IVF depends on a variety of factors, the process is most beneficial to couples when one partner has a quality egg supply and the other is physically ready to carry a pregnancy.
As of now, it’s not scientifically possible for two females to have a baby with both genetic contributions.
However, there’s exciting stem cell research and gene editing breakthroughs on the horizon that could make this a reality in the future. It’s important to note that if proven successful, additional clinical trials, ethical considerations, and other protocols would need to be addressed, resulting in a lengthened timeline of making this medical breakthrough available to couples.
For now, co-IVF remains a great LGBTQ+ family planning option for partners who want to share the special experience of pregnancy.
At Xytex, we’re committed to keeping you updated on the latest fertility news. Stay tuned for updates about how your options may progress beyond reciprocal IVF.
Still have questions? Check out these common Co-IVF questions and answers below.
Can two women have a biological child together?
How is Reciprocal IVF different from traditional IVF?
How much does Reciprocal IVF cost?
What type of vials are required for Reciprocal IVF?
What are the success rates for Reciprocal IVF?
Could science eventually allow two women to have a baby with both of their genes?
For many, becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest joys.
With Reciprocal IVF, LGBTQ+ partners can share the special journey to parenthood. Through this empowering process, lesbian and trans-men couples will make decisions together and work closely with a fertility specialist to determine their pathway to pregnancy and parenthood.
While 100% gene sharing doesn’t yet exist, many couples who undergo co-IVF not only form a biological connection with their child, but also an emotional bond that stays with them long after they welcome their baby into the world.
For over 50 years, Xytex cryo-sperm bank has helped tens of thousands of people make their dreams of parenthood a reality. To learn more about IVF and how Xytex can help you build your family with the most selective and tested donor sperm, contact us today.