How reciprocal IVF works in the UK: A complete guide

If you’re exploring fertility treatment with your partner, reciprocal IVF could be an option for you to consider.

Also known as shared motherhood, shared parenthood or co-maternity, reciprocal IVF allows both partners to be involved in the journey to creating a family. One partner provides the eggs, while the other carries the pregnancy.

Like any fertility treatment, it’s natural to have questions. How does reciprocal IVF work? Who can have it? How long does treatment take? What affects your chances of success?

In this guide, we explain what reciprocal IVF involves, what to expect during treatment and what things to consider when deciding if it’s right for you.

Reciprocal IVF in the UK at a glance

• What is reciprocal IVF? Reciprocal IVF is a type of IVF where one partner provides the eggs and the other partner carries the pregnancy.
• Who is it for? Most commonly female same-sex couples, but it may also be an option for couples where both partners have ovaries and a uterus.
• Is donor sperm needed? Donor sperm is used to fertilise the eggs in the laboratory.
• How long does reciprocal IVF take? A typical cycle takes around 6-10 weeks, although this can vary depending on your treatment plan.
• What is the biological connection? One partner has a genetic connection through the egg, while the other experiences pregnancy and birth.
• What affects success? Factors include egg age and quality, embryo development, uterine health and individual fertility factors.

What is reciprocal IVF?

Reciprocal IVF is a fertility treatment that allows both partners to be involved in creating their family.

In standard IVF, the same person usually provides the eggs and carries the pregnancy. With reciprocal IVF, these roles are shared between two partners.

One partner undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg collection. The eggs are then fertilised with donor sperm in the laboratory, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the other partner, who carries the pregnancy.

For many couples, reciprocal IVF offers a meaningful way to share different parts of the journey to parenthood.

Who can have reciprocal IVF in the UK?

Reciprocal IVF is most commonly chosen by female same-sex couples, but it may also be an option for other couples where both partners have ovaries and a uterus, including some transgender and non-binary couples.

Whether reciprocal IVF is suitable depends on several factors, including your health, fertility and family-building goals. At your consultation, we will assess both partners and discuss the options available to you.

Health considerations before reciprocal IVF

Before starting treatment, both partners will usually have fertility assessments. These help us understand your fertility and create the most appropriate treatment plan.

Your assessment might include:

• Age
• Ovarian reserve
• Medical history
• Hormone tests
• Ultrasound scans
• Other fertility investigations where needed

These results help your clinical team understand which partner may be best placed to provide the eggs and which partner may be best placed to carry the pregnancy.

Every reciprocal IVF journey is different, and your care plan will be tailored around you.

How does reciprocal IVF work?

Although every treatment plan for reciprocal IVF is different, the process usually involves the following steps.

Step 1: Consultation and fertility testing

Your journey begins with a consultation with our fertility team.

We will discuss your medical history, your plans for building a family and what you hope to achieve from treatment.

Both partners will usually have fertility assessments, which may include blood tests, ultrasound scans and other investigations.

Some patients may also be offered fertility counselling to discuss the emotional, practical and legal aspects of donor conception.

Step 2: Ovarian stimulation

The partner providing the eggs will take hormone medication to encourage several eggs to mature during one treatment cycle.

You’ll attend monitoring appointments, including ultrasound scans and blood tests, so we can check your response to medication and decide the best time for egg collection.

Step 3: Egg collection

Once the eggs are ready, they’re collected during a short procedure that takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

Egg collection is usually carried out under sedation to help keep you comfortable. Most people can go home the same day after a short recovery period.

Step 4: Fertilisation and embryo development

The collected eggs are fertilised with donor sperm in our laboratory.

Over the following days, our embryology team monitors embryo development and assesses embryo quality before selecting an embryo for transfer or freezing, updating you of their progress.

Step 5: Preparing the partner carrying the pregnancy

While the embryos are developing, the partner carrying the pregnancy prepares their uterus for embryo transfer. This involves hormone medication to help the womb lining develop so it is ready to receive an embryo.

Depending on the treatment plan, the embryo may be transferred in the same treatment cycle (a fresh transfer) or frozen and transferred at a later date (a frozen embryo transfer, or FET). Freezing embryos allows the transfer to take place when the uterine lining is optimally prepared and may be recommended for medical or practical reasons.

Step 6: Embryo transfer

Embryo transfer is a simple procedure that usually takes only a few minutes.

A selected embryo is placed into the uterus using a thin catheter. The procedure does not usually require anaesthetic and most people can return home shortly afterwards.

Step 7: Pregnancy test

Around 10 to 14 days after embryo transfer, you’ll take a pregnancy test.

If the result is positive, we’ll arrange an early pregnancy scan and continue to support you through the next stage of your journey.

How long does reciprocal IVF take?

While every couple’s journey is different, a typical reciprocal IVF cycle takes around six to ten weeks from the initial consultation to embryo transfer.

The overall timeline can vary depending on factors such as the results of your fertility assessments, whether donor sperm is already available and whether a fresh or frozen embryo transfer is planned.

Some couples may need additional investigations or choose to freeze embryos for future use, which can extend the timeline.

Do both partners have a biological connection to the baby?

One of the reasons many couples choose reciprocal IVF is that it allows both partners to have a connection to the pregnancy, although these connections are different.

The partner providing the eggs has a genetic connection to the baby because their egg contributes the genetic material that forms the embryo. The partner carrying the pregnancy has a gestational connection, as they experience pregnancy and birth and provide the environment in which the baby develops.

There is also the science of epigenetics for the pregnancy carrier. Whilst the DNA blueprint is from the egg and sperm, the birth parent carrying the baby influences which genes are activated and which ones stay silent. Their body signals will help shape the child’s development, health and even physical similarities like facial expressions and mannerisms.

Both roles are an important part of the reciprocal IVF journey and mean that couples can share in creating and welcoming their child to the world.

Is donor sperm required?

Yes. Donor sperm is required for reciprocal IVF.

The eggs are fertilised with donor sperm in the laboratory to create embryos, which are then transferred to the partner carrying the pregnancy.

In the UK, donor sperm used in fertility treatment must come from a licensed sperm bank or an approved fertility clinic. Donors undergo screening to assess their health and help reduce the risk of passing on certain infections or inherited conditions.

Fertility clinics follow regulations set by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to ensure donor conception is carried out safely and ethically.

In the UK, sperm donors are not anonymous in the long term. People born through donor conception can request identifying information about their donor once they reach the age of 18.

Success rates for reciprocal IVF

The success of reciprocal IVF depends on several individual factors, so there is no single success rate that applies to everyone.

Factors that might influence outcomes include:

• The age of the partner providing the eggs
• Egg and embryo quality
• The health of the uterus
• Previous fertility history
• Overall health and fertility factors for both partners

Your clinic will be able to provide more personalised information based on your fertility assessment and recommended treatment plan.

How much does reciprocal IVF cost in the UK?

The cost of reciprocal IVF in the UK varies depending on the treatment required and the services included.

Because both partners are involved in different stages of treatment, costs may differ from standard IVF.

Factors that can affect the overall cost include:

• Fertility consultations and assessments
• IVF treatment and laboratory fees
• Fertility medication
• Donor sperm costs
• Embryo freezing and storage
• Additional investigations or treatments where needed

Some couples may choose to freeze embryos for future use, which can also affect costs.

Legal parenthood in the UK

Understanding the legal aspects of reciprocal IVF is an important part of the treatment journey.

In the UK, legal parenthood following donor conception depends on several factors, including the type of treatment, where treatment takes place and the consent forms completed before treatment begins.

Licensed fertility clinics follow regulations set by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and will guide you through the necessary consent forms and legal requirements before treatment starts.

Emotional aspects of reciprocal IVF

Starting a family through reciprocal IVF can be an exciting experience but like any fertility journey, it can also bring a range of emotions.

Many couples value being able to share different parts of the process, with one partner providing the eggs and the other experiencing pregnancy and birth. At the same time, decisions around donor selection, treatment choices and waiting for results can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Open communication and shared decision-making can help couples feel supported throughout treatment. Many fertility clinics offer counselling and emotional support, giving you the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns before, during or after treatment.

Is reciprocal IVF right for you?

Choosing whether reciprocal IVF is the right treatment option is a personal decision. The best approach depends on your health, fertility, family-building goals and circumstances as a couple.

During your consultation, your fertility specialist will consider factors including:

• Your medical history and fertility assessments
• The age and ovarian reserve of the partner providing the eggs
• The health of the partner carrying the pregnancy
• Your preferences and plans for building your family
• Treatment costs and timescales

As with any fertility journey, your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs and situation.

“One of the important aspects of reciprocal IVF is that it allows both partners to be involved in creating their family in different ways. Our role is to support couples with clear information and expert guidance, helping them make decisions that are right for them.”- Dr Wael Saab, fertility expert and senior medical director, CRGH

If you’re considering reciprocal IVF in the UK, our fertility specialists can help you understand whether this approach is suitable for you and your partner.

Book a consultation with the CRGH fertility team to discuss your options and take the next step towards building your family.