Schedule a Reciprocal IVF Consultation in Atlanta, GA
Reciprocal IVF allows both partners to play a meaningful role in building your family, and we’re here to guide you through it. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
What Is Reciprocal IVF?
Reciprocal IVF, also known as shared motherhood or co-IVF, is a family-building option designed for couples who want to share a biological role in pregnancy. In this process, one partner provides the eggs, while the other partner carries the pregnancy, allowing both individuals to participate in bringing their child into the world in a meaningful, connected way.
For many couples, reciprocal IVF offers something deeply personal: the opportunity to be physically and biologically involved in the same pregnancy. While one partner contributes genetically, the other experiences pregnancy and childbirth, creating a shared journey that can feel uniquely collaborative from the very beginning.
At Reproductive Biology Associates, we’ve spent more than 30 years helping LGBTQ+ individuals and couples build their families with confidence. Our team understands that reciprocal IVF is not just a medical process — it’s an emotional and deeply personal decision. We’re here to provide clear guidance, compassionate support, and a personalized path forward that reflects your goals as a couple.
The Reciprocal IVF Process at Reproductive Biology Associates
Reciprocal IVF follows the same proven in vitro fertilization (IVF) process, with care thoughtfully coordinated between both partners. At Reproductive Biology Associates, your care team works closely with you to align each step, ensuring a smooth, well-timed approach from egg retrieval through embryo transfer.
Step 1: Egg Retrieval and IVF Laboratory Care
The process begins with the partner providing the eggs. This involves ovarian stimulation using fertility medications, along with careful monitoring to track follicle development.
Once the eggs are ready, a minimally invasive retrieval procedure is performed by an experienced reproductive specialist. The retrieved eggs are then fertilized with donor sperm in RBA’s advanced IVF laboratory.
Embryos are monitored as they develop, and depending on your treatment plan, may be transferred fresh or frozen for use at a later time.
Step 2: Preparing the Gestational Partner
At the same time, the partner who will carry the pregnancy undergoes preparation to support implantation. This includes an evaluation of uterine health and hormonal treatment to prepare the uterine lining.
Your care team carefully coordinates timing between both partners to ensure the uterus is ready at the optimal moment for embryo transfer.
Step 3: Embryo Transfer and Early Pregnancy Care
Once an embryo is selected, it is transferred into the uterus through a simple, in-office procedure.
Following the transfer, early pregnancy monitoring helps confirm implantation and track initial development. Once the pregnancy is established, care is transitioned to an obstetric provider for ongoing prenatal care.
Using Donor Sperm
Reciprocal IVF requires the use of donor sperm, and patients may choose between working with a sperm bank or using a known donor. Each option comes with specific medical, legal, and logistical considerations.
All donor sperm must meet established screening and testing requirements to ensure safety. Your care team at Reproductive Biology Associates will guide you through the selection process, helping you understand your options and coordinate the necessary steps with confidence.
Choosing Roles: Egg Provider vs. Gestational Partner
One of the most personal decisions in reciprocal IVF is determining which partner will provide the eggs and which will carry the pregnancy. There’s no single “right” approach — this decision is shaped by a combination of medical factors, personal preferences, and shared goals.
From a medical perspective, age, ovarian reserve, and uterine health often play an important role. One partner may be better suited to egg retrieval, while the other may be a stronger candidate for pregnancy based on overall reproductive health.
At the same time, emotional and personal considerations matter just as much. Some couples have a clear vision for how they want to participate in the process, while others take time to explore what feels right for them.
At Reproductive Biology Associates, your care team works closely with both partners to guide this decision in a collaborative, thoughtful way, helping you understand your options while keeping your priorities at the center of the plan.
Reciprocal IVF Success Rates & What Affects Outcomes
Success rates for reciprocal IVF are influenced by many of the same factors as traditional IVF. Age is one of the most important considerations, particularly for the partner providing the eggs, as it directly impacts egg quality and embryo development.
Other key factors include overall reproductive health, embryo quality, and how the uterine lining responds during preparation for transfer. Because each couple’s situation is unique, outcomes can vary based on a combination of these elements.
At Reproductive Biology Associates, treatment plans are built around a comprehensive evaluation of both partners. This individualized approach allows the care team to optimize each step of the process, from egg retrieval through embryo transfer.
We also believe in clear, transparent communication when it comes to success rates. By combining data-driven insights with decades of clinical experience, RBA helps patients move forward with a realistic understanding of what to expect and a plan designed to give them the best possible chance of success.
Reciprocal IVF FAQs
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Traditional IVF involves one individual providing the eggs and carrying the pregnancy. In reciprocal IVF, both partners share the process — one provides the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy. The medical steps are largely the same, but reciprocal IVF allows couples to both play a biological role in the journey.
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The cost of reciprocal IVF is similar to traditional IVF but may vary depending on factors like medications, testing, embryo freezing, and donor sperm. Because care involves two partners, there may be additional evaluations or monitoring. Your care team at Reproductive Biology Associates will walk you through a personalized cost breakdown based on your treatment plan.
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Insurance coverage for reciprocal IVF varies widely depending on your plan and state-specific mandates. Some plans may cover portions of treatment, such as diagnostic testing or medications, while others may not include IVF services. It’s important to review your benefits carefully, and your clinic’s financial team can help you understand your coverage and available options.
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In reciprocal IVF, the baby inherits genetic material from the partner who provides the eggs and the sperm donor. The partner who carries the pregnancy does not share DNA but plays a vital role in supporting the pregnancy and the baby’s development. Many couples still feel a strong biological and emotional connection through this shared experience.
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Yes, both partners typically undergo some level of fertility evaluation. The partner providing eggs will be assessed for ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health, while the partner carrying the pregnancy will have an evaluation of uterine health and readiness for implantation. This ensures the treatment plan is tailored to both individuals.
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In many cases, yes. Some couples choose to switch roles for future pregnancies, with the other partner providing eggs or carrying at a later time. This depends on each partner’s reproductive health and any changes that may occur over time. Your care team can help you plan for both current and future family-building goals.
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Yes, embryos can often be frozen and stored for future use. This allows couples to preserve embryos for additional children or for use if plans change later on. Freezing embryos can also provide flexibility in timing and may be recommended as part of your overall treatment strategy.
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If neither partner is able to carry a pregnancy, gestational surrogacy may be an option. In this case, an embryo created through IVF is transferred to a gestational carrier. Reproductive Biology Associates can help guide you through this process and coordinate care as part of a comprehensive family-building plan.