At King’s Fertility we have been treating same sex female couples for many decades. We offer all assisted conception methods such as IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination), standard IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) and the increasingly common ‘shared motherhood’ IVF or ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from a Partner).
The ROPA method, also known as ‘reciprocal motherhood’ and ‘intra-partner egg donation’, is an assisted reproduction treatment specifically designed for female same sex couples, in which both partners can participate.
The ROPA treatment is unique compared to many other fertility treatments because it allows both female partners to share a unique biological connection with their baby. One partner provides the eggs for the treatment and is connected genetically, while the other partner carries the pregnancy, delivers and breastfeeds. This enables both partners to play a fundamental part in the process of creating their family.
Creating the embryos
Under current UK law, the partner providing her eggs for the treatment of their female partner is required to be screened in the same way as all other donors are, even though they are only intending to ‘donate’ to their own partner. Therefore, they must first undertake some screening tests involving genetic and infection testing. Once this is complete, they will then go through the stimulation phase of the IVF treatment, taking stimulation drugs and attending for regular scan and blood tests. After around 10 days (usual range 8 – 12 days) of medications, we then plan for the egg retrieval procedure. This is performed under sedation, usually 34-38 hours after the ‘ovulation/maturation’ trigger injection(s) are administered. After the egg retrieval has happened and the eggs have been collected, the lab will proceed to fertilise the eggs with the donor sperm that’s been selected. The next day the number of fertilized eggs is identified and the embryo(s) is/are cultured.
Transferring the embryos
Once the embryos are created, it’s time for the embryo transfer with the partner who is planning to carry the pregnancy.
A few days after fertilization, the suitable embryos for transfer are identified. At this stage, you have the option to either have a fresh embryo transferred back to the second (receiving) partner or freezing all embryos for later use in a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle.
Which is the most suitable option for you will be discussed and decided jointly at the time of your initial consultation with us, as there are benefits and drawbacks to both approaches.
Following embryo transfer
Following the embryo transfer you will be advised to test for a pregnancy between 11 and 13 days later (depending on the age of the embryo that was transferred). We then hope to be hearing from you to arrange pregnancy scans and more top up medications if needed.
Donor Sperm
There are two options for donor sperm:
An anonymous donor – these are men who have donated their sperm altruistically in the hope of giving someone the opportunity to have a family. Anonymous donors are identifiable – this means that from the age of 18 years, any donor-conceived child can access identifying information about their sperm donor including full name, date and town of birth, as well as their last known address.
A known donor – sperm is donated by someone you know personally and specifically for your treatment only. This can be a friend or a family member who would like to help you and your partner create a family (as long as the partner providing the egg for the treatment and the donor sperm provider are not genetically related).
It’s important to note that all fertility clinics and sperm banks licensed by the HFEA follow the same screening regulations and must fully screen both anonymous sperm donors and known sperm donors in the same way.
We understand the importance of starting a family, and the big step you are about to take. Our team of fertility specialists are here to support you every step of the way, advising on the most suitable treatment plans for you with the best outcome.