Shared motherhood, also known as intra-partner egg donation or reciprocal IVF, is becoming an increasingly popular choice for female same sex couples. It allows both of you to be fully involved in the treatment process and to have either a biological or gestational link to your baby.
Shared motherhood, also known as intra-partner egg donation or reciprocal IVF, is becoming an increasingly popular choice for female same sex couples. It allows both of you to be fully involved in the treatment process and to have either a biological or gestational link to your baby.
Shared motherhood means one partner will provide the eggs and one will be the recipient of the eggs and carry the child, so one partner becomes the ‘biological’ mother, and one becomes the ‘birth mother’.
The IVF process is therefore split between both women. The egg provider will go through the stimulation cycle. The ovarian follicles will grow and mature and, at the right moment, the eggs will be collected.
The egg is then fertilised through in vitro fertilisation in our laboratory with donor sperm to create an embryo. To maximise the chances of success, fertility medication might be used to produce more mature eggs from the cycle and create more than one embryo. These excess embryos can be frozen for future use.
Then the gestational partner will have the embryo transferred back into their body for implantation to occur. Medication is taken to prepare the endometrium (womb lining), in readiness for implantation. Ultrasound scans are used to measure the thickness of your womb lining and the embryo is implanted at the optimal time.
What are the legal guidelines around shared motherhood?
The legal implications of shared motherhood and using donor sperm can be complex, but we will advise you on how best to proceed. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority or HFEA can grant both women legal parenthood of any child born as the result of shared motherhood.
When you are ready and the time is right for you, the next step is to contact us and we will help you arrange a face-to-face, telephone or video-call introduction with one of our consultants.
You can do this by filling in the contact form below or by giving one of our friendly team a call on +44 (0) 203 263 6025.
We really look forward to getting to know you and helping guide those next steps toward your dream family.
Mon – Fri: 9am – 5pm
8 Welbeck Way London W1G 9YL
