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Reciprocal IVF is a great fertility option for Intended Parents in same-sex relationships. Unlike surrogacy, it allows both female partners to biologically and emotionally participate in the child’s birth.
In this article, we will look at what reciprocal IVF means and the duration of the process. We will also discuss the costs, as well as the legal implications.
Reciprocal IVF is also known as co-IVF, partner IVF, or shared motherhood. It is exactly what it sounds like: both the partners partake equally in the IVF process. One of them takes the initial steps, going through all the egg retrieval tests, and the egg retrieval process as well. The other partner carries the fertilized embryo in her womb and gives birth to the child.
The partner whose eggs are used is the genetic mother and the one who is carrying the pregnancy is the birth mother.
But is reciprocal IVF only for lesbian couples?
No. Even transgender men with a functioning womb or ovaries can undergo the co-IVF process.
Reciprocal IVF is just like 3rd-party IVF, which involves the use of an Egg Donor or a Gestational Surrogate. One of the partners undergoes medical workup, genetic testing, and injectable fertility drug for a couple of weeks. The whole process leads up to the first big milestone of the process: egg retrieval.
Meanwhile, the second partner prepares for another major milestone: embryo transfer. Once the eggs are collected, they are fertilized with a donor’s sperm to produce embryos. The reproductive expert will then choose the most viable, healthy embryo to implant.
Typically, the whole process takes around 2 to 3 months. However, the duration can vary due to unexpected medical issues or circumstances.
The cost is similar to that of a donor egg IVF. Based on the state you reside in, your insurance may cover some or all of the medical aspects of the process. However, a lot of insurance carriers don’t provide coverage for reciprocal IVF costs unless it’s medically necessary. In cases like these, the person whose eggs will be harvested would also have to carry the child in her womb. An IVF cycle with a fresh embryo transfer costs around $15,000-$20,000 (including the costs of fertility medications).
The reciprocal IVF costs may vary from one clinic to the other. Hence, it is important that you know all the possible expenses you may incur and whether your insurance would cover the costs.
The legal implications of reciprocal IVF can vary from one state to the next. You will want to make sure both partners have rights over the baby and that your names appear on the child’s birth certificate. This may require that one of the partners adopt the baby.
To know the best course of action, it is always advisable to speak with a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the reproductive law in your state.
Many years ago, same-sex and transgender couples were restricted from assisted family building options such as standard IVF, IUI, or surrogacy. These methods allowed only one of the partners to share biological ties with the baby. Thanks to reciprocal IVF, nowadays, both parents can play an intimate role in the baby’s birth.
Although only one partner provides the biological material in the process, the other can feel a connection with the baby through pregnancy and delivery.
Studies have found that cells are able to cross the placental blood barrier and introduce the DNA of the mother to the child, and vice versa. Although this may have no impact on the genetic makeup of the baby, it’s still a special connection that can exist between the mother and her baby.
Advances in reproductive technologies are making a lot of people wonder whether two female eggs can be “combined” to form an embryo. Even though we are still very far away from that reality, researchers are exploring the idea of making sperm or eggs from stem cells. Theoretically, one woman’s cell can be used to make sperm, which would then be utilized to fertilize her partner’s eggs.
Interested to know more about the reciprocal IVF process and transgender fertility options? Call Coastal Fertility clinic at (949) 726-0600 to schedule a consultation or chat with us.
Our fertility clinic focuses on helping you build your family regardless of your sexual orientation or the gender you choose to identify with. We are even taking further steps to make LGTB people feel more welcome at our fertility clinic. Each of our patient-facing staff goes through LGTB training to let family-building clinicians provide necessary support and make you feel highly welcome.
Coastal Fertility Medical Center offers one of the most advanced fertility treatments and is completely transparent regarding the costs of procedures and any other expenses that you may have to pay before commencing your treatment. This differentiates us from some fertility clinics that reduce prices before the signing of the contract but charge you extra later on. We make sure our patients are well aware of any possible extra pricing that may occur over the course of their treatment.
The infertility industry is currently segmented, with each service or treatment being handled by a different provider. Our all-inclusive model simplifies an otherwise complex and difficult process. We are here to revolutionize the infertility industry by offering a one-stop-service model to assist our patients through infertility challenges while reducing physical, emotional, and financial risks.
Our globally respected team of specialists are helping improve IVF technologies to enter into a generation of better outcomes for infertility. Although you’ll have a doctor guiding you, you are also going to benefit from the experience and insights of other doctors during case review collaboration meetings, which take place every week. So, you won’t just rely on the expertise of a specialist but benefit from the knowledge of many reputed fertility experts.
Our team specializes in difficult cases and help patients who may have been considered “hopeless” at other fertility clinics. Thanks to our personalized solutions, expertise, and internal collaboration, weare able to maximize pregnancy success rates that are well above the industry average, even in difficult infertility cases.
We know that every situation is different and that everyone requires different treatments. Unlike facilities that take “a one-size-fits-all” approach for all cases, our fertility specialists use more than 40 customized protocols to raise the chances of success. The customized approach even extends to our fertility laboratory. Our on-site lab director and his highly-experienced team nurture every embryo and egg to increase the odds of success of each cycle.
Coastal Fertility Medical Center offers one of the most advanced fertility treatments and is completely transparent regarding the costs of procedures and any other expenses that you may have to pay before commencing your treatment. This differentiates us from some fertility clinics that reduce prices before the signing of the contract but charge you extra later on. We make sure our patients are well aware of any possible extra pricing that may occur over the course of their treatment.
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Following the Preimplantation Genetic Screening process, which helps ensure there are normal chromosome numbers and detects possible genetic disorders, the most healthy embryo(s) are selected to be implanted into your or your chosen surrogate’s womb. 2 weeks after the transfer of the embryo, your physician will conduct a final blood test to determine the level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your body. Increased hCG levels usually indicate a positive pregnancy test.
For fertilization to take place, the collected egg and sperm are combined in a petri dish and cultured in an embryo incubator. This dish is closely watched to check whether any of the eggs have been fertilized. Once the egg is fertilized, it is referred to as an embryo or a blastocyst on the 5th day of development. Our in-house embryologist carefully nurtures every embryo to the right time, even if it means working outside the standard business operating hours. For instance: If an oocyte is not mature, our laboratory will wait for it to mature and then ICSI it at the right time.
The egg retrieval is a slightly invasive medical procedure that takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You will be given an anesthetic to make you sleep for the duration of the procedure. Using ultrasound technology, your doctor will harvest your eggs transvaginally with a small, hollow needle connected to an ultrasound probe. Once your eggs are collected, your partner’s semen or donor sperm you have pre-selected is used for fertilization. The sperm are washed and prepared, and the top-quality sperm extracted is used to fertilize the eggs.
Your doctor will create a customized medication schedule that contains information about the fertility medications and hormone injections you have to take. Medication and injections are taken to encourage your ovaries to mature a large number of eggs for fertilization. Since women don’t respond to fertility drugs and hormones the same way, personalized protocols are crucial to the IVF cycle success. At Coastal Fertility, we will monitor you closely, letting you understand the changes occurring in your body and keeping track of how your egg follicles are growing.
On-site consultations typicallyinclude a standard fertility evaluation, consisting of a physical examination, complementary follicular ultrasound, and testing to enable your doctor to know your present fertility status and draw up a treatment plan.
This consultation includes a detailed medical evaluation with a doctor. You and your physician will review your health records and have enough time to talk about your goals and get answers to your questions. We recommend that you jot down all your questions before the visit to allow you to make the best use of the time spent with your doctor.
Your Reproductive Endocrinologist will take all factors into consideration and create a comprehensive plan of care, otherwise known as the treatment plan. This plan will include treatment recommendations from the physician and enable your financial coordinator to make a precise quotation once you meet.
Our globally respected team of specialists are helping improve IVF technologies to enter into a generation of better outcomes for infertility. Although you’ll have a doctor guiding you, you are also going to benefit from the experience and insights of other doctors during case review collaboration meetings, which take place every week. So, you won’t just rely on the expertise of a specialist but benefit from the knowledge of many reputed fertility experts.
The infertility industry is currently segmented, with each service or treatment being handled by a different provider. Our all-inclusive model simplifies an otherwise complex and difficult process. We are here to revolutionize the infertility industry by offering a one-stop-service model to assist our patients through infertility challenges while reducing physical, emotional, and financial risks.
Our fertility clinic focuses on helping you build your family regardless of your sexual orientation or the gender you choose to identify with. We are even taking further steps to make LGTB people feel more welcome at our fertility clinic. Each of our patient-facing staff goes through LGTB training to let family-building clinicians provide necessary support and make you feel highly welcome.
We know that every situation is different and that everyone requires different treatments. Unlike facilities that take “a one-size-fits-all” approach for all cases, our fertility specialists use more than 40 customized protocols to raise the chances of success. The customized approach even extends to our fertility laboratory. Our on-site lab director and his highly-experienced team nurture every embryo and egg to increase the odds of success of each cycle.
Our team specializes in difficult cases and help patients who may have been considered “hopeless” at other fertility clinics. Thanks to our personalized solutions, expertise, and internal collaboration, weare able to maximize pregnancy success rates that are well above the industry average, even in difficult infertility cases.
Upon your arrival, you will check in with a Patient Care Coordinator. We will obtain your insurance information for benefits verification, a copy of your identification and take a picture for your electronic medical chart
Coastal Fertility is the leading provider of fertility solutions located in Orange County. Join us to get free updates on fertility news, treatments, infertility solutions and more.
Coastal Fertility is the leading provider of fertility solutions located in Orange County. Join us to get free updates on fertility news, treatments, infertility solutions and more.