IVF is a common fertility treatment that enables couples to have their biological child despite certain fertility challenges or issues. Did you know an all-female couple or transgender couple can also have their biological child through IVF? Yes, reciprocal IVF provides the option for LGBTQ couples to have biological children.
Reciprocal In-vitro Fertilization is one of the newest scientific breakthroughs in fertility treatments. It enables both partners to contribute towards the development of their child. This treatment is available for both female and male couples.
● In the case of a female couple – where both partners are biological females – The fertility specialist will retrieve the egg from one female partner, fertilise it with donor sperm and transfer the embryo into the uterus of the other female partner. So, in this one partner provides the egg and the other partner grows the baby in their uterus. Thus, both partners have an important role in the pregnancy.
● In the case of a transgender couple – The partner undergoing the hormone or surgical treatment can opt to freeze their eggs or sperm. They can use this with their partner’s sperm or egg when they want to have a child and create an embryo. The female partner or a surrogate can carry the baby to term.
In both cases, the partners can have both biological and genetic connections to the baby. It is important to talk to the fertility specialists and identify a clinic that offers reciprocal IVF, to get all the necessary information before making a decision.
IVF – In-vitro Fertilization is a fertility treatment for a heterosexual couple – meaning one partner is a male and the other is a female. Reciprocal IVF is a fertility treatment for same-sex couples – both partners are females or when one partner is transgender.
Different countries have different laws when it comes to parenthood. While laws pertaining to regular IVF are quite straightforward, reciprocal IVF does not enjoy the same awareness. It is important to consult a lawyer specialising in this field to know the various options and limitations surrounding such a fertility treatment. Ensure you understand the legalities involved in using a sperm or egg donor, a surrogate, when only one partner provides the genetic material, etc.
So, who is eligible for reciprocal IVF?
Couples where both partners are female are eligible for reciprocal IVF. The fertility clinic will run full sets of tests on both partners to understand the overall health, egg reserve, uterine health, etc. These details help in deciding who can provide the egg and who can carry the fetus.
Coupes where one or both partners are transgender are also eligible for reciprocal IVF. However, the partner undergoing the gender change should have opted to freeze their eggs or sperm before undergoing the gender-changing treatment.
Different fertility clinics have different rules or limitations when it comes to both IVF as well as reciprocal IVF. Here are some points to pay attention to:
● Some clinics may have age limits for one or both partners combined.
● Some programs may have a limitation on the weight of the partner who is going to carry the fetus.
● The egg-donating partner must have a good egg reserve.
● The partner receiving the embryo must have healthy ovaries and a uterus to support the pregnancy.
● Parenthood laws can vary from country to country.
IVFs are expensive fertility treatments. Reciprocal IVF costs can be a little more than regular IVF costs. Some reasons for such high costs are:
● If both partners are females, the doctor will run tests on both partners to determine who has a good egg reserve and who is healthier to carry the baby to term.
● If the IVF fails, the doctors will have to retrieve the eggs from one partner and implant the embryo in the other.
● If one partner is transgender, freezing their egg or sperm can be expensive.
● If the IVF fails, the doctors will repeat the egg retrieval and implantation.
● Legal formalities can be time-consuming and expensive.
The risks involved in reciprocal IVF are similar to those associated with regular IVF.
● OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) is a painful side effect and reaction to fertility injections. These injections can help increase egg production, thus helping the doctor retrieve the most viable eggs for the treatment.
● The increase in hormones in the body can lead to temporary side effects like hot flashes, headaches, mood swings, etc. In most cases, these will wear off after discontinuing the medications.
● Complications during egg retrieval like bleeding, infections, and damage to the bladder.
● The fertilised egg can implant outside the uterus resulting in ectopic pregnancy.
● Transferring more than one embryo to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy can result in multiple births.
Reciprocal IVF is the new entrant in fertility treatments and can help couples realise their dream of having a biological child. It removes the need for a donor or a surrogate and lets both partners be genetically and biologically involved with their child. Changing one’s gender need not interfere.
Reciprocal IVF is a fertility treatment where one partner provides the egg and the other partner carries the fertilised egg. IVF is a fertility treatment where one partner provides the egg and the other provides the sperm. They can even use a donor or a surrogate to carry the baby to term.
Reciprocal IVF can cost more than regular IVF as it requires running a full test on both partners and consulting doctors to determine which partner’s egg to use and which partner should carry the baby. Finding the right sperm donor can be expensive. Different clinics may offer different packages.
