RIVF

Reciprocal In Vitro Fertilization

This type of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is often utilized by same sex female (lesbian) or non binary couples. Reciprocal IVF means that the ovaries of one partner or both partners in the couple are stimulated using hormone medications for up to 2 weeks, to produce mature eggs which are then removed (retrieved) from the person’s body, without making any cuts or incisions on the person. These mature eggs are then combined with donor sperm, outside of the uterus, in the laboratory, to create fertilized embryos. The embryos are then inserted into one partner’s womb to develop into a pregnancy, or frozen for a future transfer (also known as embryo freezing or embryo banking). With Reciprocal IVF, eggs from one partner can be used to create embryos that the other partner carries in a pregnancy! This way, both partners get to participate in the process of creating embryos for their family building journey and carrying the pregnancy that follows. Reciprocal IVF is also a great way for Transgender Male patients to have biological children, if they decide to pursue egg freezing or embryo creation before proceeding with Gender affirmation surgery but have a partner who also has a uterus.

 

IVF is for:

  • Lesbian couples

  • Transgender male couples

  • Non binary couples

The process,
explained simply.

  • Depending on your reason for choosing IVF, you’ll go through diagnostic testing to see what the cause of your infertility is. Depending on the results, IVF may not be necessary or feasible, or the doctor might recommend alternative treatments to start.

  • The doctor will review your diagnosis with you and discuss your treatment options. If you decide to use IVF, our doctor and staff will go over the entire process including financials to determine if IVF is right for you.

  • Ovarian stimulation is designed to retrieve as many mature eggs as possible from one partner or both partners to increase chances of fertilization. This process involves the injection of medications daily for up to two weeks to encourage your ovaries to produce a lot of eggs.

  • About 36 hours after the trigger shot (which induces ovulation), the eggs are retrieved under monitored Anesthesia via a transvaginal ultrasound with a guided needle. This is conducted as an out-patient procedure and most women go home a few hours following the procedure

  • The healthiest of the donor sperm from the sample are then used to fertilize the eggs. Before transfer, the embryologist will evaluate the embryos based on their likelihood of successfully implanting in the uterus. Those embryos with the best characteristics, which are dividing properly and at a normal rate, are chosen for transfer. Then, the embryologist injects a single healthy donor sperm into the egg.

  • With Reciprocal IVF, eggs from one partner can be used to create embryos that the other partner carries in a pregnancy! The embryo transfer procedure is when a very soft catheter is gently inserted through one partner’s cervix and the embryo is released into the middle of the uterus through the catheter. (If you choose to freeze your embryos, this transfer will occur at a later date).

  • After two weeks, you will take a pregnancy test to determine if the IVF transfer was successful.