Partner-assisted reproduction
Partner-assisted reproduction, reception of oocyctes from partner, reciprocal IVF, shared motherhood, partner IVF or co-IVF is a method of family building that is used by couples who both possess female reproductive organs. The method uses in vitro fertilization, a method that means eggs are removed from the ovaries, fertilized in a laboratory, and then one or more of the resulting embryos are placed in the uterus to hopefully create a pregnancy. Reciprocal IVF differs from standard IVF in that two women are involved: the eggs are taken from one partner, and the other partner carries the pregnancy. In this way, the process is mechanically identical to IVF with egg donation. Using this process ensures that each partner is a biological mother of the child.
It was first introduced in Spain in 2009.Birth rates
A study published in February 2018 found a 60% live birth rate in a group of 120 lesbian couples who underwent reciprocal IVF. The subject of the research are European patients only.
