Helping women have babies: fertility options for same sex female couples
We proudly offer a variety of fertility treatments and options for lesbian couples looking to have a baby. Learn more here.
Fertility
Importance Announcement: Apricity is ceasing all operations from 1st January 2025
Reciprocal IVF
IVF fertility treatments for same-sex female couples.
What is reciprocal IVF?
Shared motherhood and reciprocal IVF is a fertility treatment for same-sex female couples who want to have a baby with the help of a sperm donor.
How does reciprocal IVF work?
As the majority of same-sex female couples seeking fertility treatment are not infertile, they have good chances of pregnancy success with our IUI package, using donor sperm. However, the limitation of this treatment means that only one partner can be biologically involved with the conception and pregnancy.
With our Shared Motherhood IVF package, both partners can be part of the process, enabling a truly shared journey right from conception. One partner donates the eggs to be fertilised with the donor sperm to create embryos, with the other partner carrying the baby.
1
Egg collection
Treatment begins with one partner undergoing an egg collection cycle.
2
Eggs are fertilised
Once the eggs have been collected from the ovaries at the optimal time, they are fertilised using the couple’s choice of donor sperm in our laboratory.
3
Embryo transfer
After fertilisation, one of the resulting embryos is then inserted into the uterus of the other partner for conception.
4
Equal parts of the process
This means that both partners have an equal and important part in the process – one as the ‘biological mother’ and one as the ‘birth mother’.
5
Pregnancy test
Usually 2 weeks following the embryo transfer.
Checking your fertility can help decide which partner takes which role
It is up to the couple as to whether they'd like to use their eggs or carry the baby. Our specialists can help to carry out our fertility testing, which will help you to decide which partner donates their eggs, and which partner will carry the baby. Factors that may affect your decision include age, ovarian reserve, and the presence of any fertility issues.
Get in touch, we're here to help
Book a consultation with a fertility advisor
Our approach is different
All inclusive pricing and as much at-home care as possible.
Our costs may look higher. But, you won’t get any surprises.
Fixed Treatment Cycle Cost
One fixed price covers the essential aspects of your treatment cycle, including consultations, blood tests, ultrasounds, and personalised support from our dedicated team. This structure keeps your initial costs predictable and transparent.
Medication Tailored to You
We know that every individual responds differently to treatment, so we design a medication protocol based on your specific diagnostic results and health profile. Rather than paying for a one-size-fits-all medication package, you’ll only pay for the exact medication you need, allowing for truly personalised treatment.
Total cost: £8,745
All inclusive cost. No surprises.
No unexpected payments
Pay in full or set up a plan
Dedicated advisor & Apricity app
What's included?
Included | Other Clinics | |
|---|---|---|
TreatmentSee more |  | |
MonitoringSee more | | |
ConsultationsSee more | |  |
MedicationsSee more | | |
Bespoke journeySee more | | |
7/7 SupportSee more | | |
AppSee more | | |
Frequently asked questions
What's included
YOUR TREATMENT: Sedation, egg collection, embryology, blastocyst culture, fresh or frozen embryo transfer, Freezing of surplus embryos.
CONSULTATIONS: Treatment planning doctors consultation, nurse consultation, 3 supportive counselling sessions with an independent counsellor, follow up consultations.
SCREENING: All routine pre-treatment screening tests for both.
MONITORING: All follicle tracking and endometrial thickness ultrasound scans and hormone monitoring blood tests as required throughout your cycle. Pregnancy blood test and early pregnancy ultrasound scan.
STORAGE: Storage of Embryos for 1 year at the same facility.
REGULATORY FEES: All HFEA fees
ADMINISTRATION: All administration and documentation relating to your care and record keeping for 30 years as per HFEA code of practice.
BESPOKE JOURNEY: Virtual Consultations for your convenience. Flexible blood tests and ultrasound scans at a choice of our 160+ regional facilities (Multiple locations possible based on local availability). Extended hours support. Option for some blood tests to take place at home.
DEDICATED ADVISOR: Fertility Advisor available 7 days a week on extended hours to support you with any queries or questions throughout your journey.
COMPANION APP: Access to Apricity's in-house App to give you control and enable you to keep track of your treatment. Including medication information and reminders, appointment schedule, personalised guidance about your treatment, live chat with Apricity advisor team.
Apricity aims to provide an all-inclusive and transparent upfront agreement. Our packages are designed to include all the required consultations, scans, blood tests, procedures and fees associated with a typical treatment cycle. However there may be less common tests or treatment additions that will be discussed with you if recommended or required.
What’s not included
The following are not considered included in a typical cycle, however may be required or recommended for your own personal situation or at your treating clinic:
- Diagnostics tests
- ICSI
- Donor Sperm, external clinic charges, and associated implications counselling
- Time-lapse imaging
- Endometrial Scratching
- Saline Scans and HyCoSy
- Hysteroscopy
- Non-routine tests including but not exclusive to Natural Killer Cells, DNA Fragmentation, PGT-A, Zika Testing
- Storage of embryos after the 1st year
- Medication charged separately
Additional services
We are committed to providing a fertility journey based around your needs and preferences. Explore our additional services, which you can add to enhance your package upfront or any stage of your treatment.
Service | Cost |
|---|---|
Blood TestsAt home with a nurse | +£222 |
Egg, Sperm & Embryo StoragePer year, additional storage | +£360 |
Reciprocal IVF FAQs
Does reciprocal IVF use both parents' DNA?
Reciprocal IVF only uses one parent’s DNA for same-sex couples. The individual in the couple who supplies the egg is the parent who will be biologically related to the child.
How do you choose which partner will be the donor?
Which partner will be the donor is an individual choice. However there are some factors that may influence this decision. For example, one partner may have a better medical history or feel more passionate about being biologically related to the child. Whereas the other may be more equipped to carry the pregnancy, even if they are not the biological parent.
How do you choose a sperm donor?
Choosing a donor is an important decision which is subjective to the individual’s or couple’s preferences. Some choose a donor based on a similar appearance or one whose characteristics match their own. Whilst medical history is also an important consideration, all sperm donors are screened for hereditary diseases.
Is reciprocal IVF less successful?
Reciprocal IVF success rates vary, but are typically as high if not higher than IVF for heterosexual couples who are likely to be seeking fertility treatment due to infertility issues. This is assuming that the couple doing reciprocal IVF are of childbearing age and do not have any fertility problems.
Don't just take our word for it...
Read our reviews on Doctify and learn more about how Apricity has helped people just like you.
Why choose Apricity
Fertility testing and treatment that works to make your life easier, not harder.
At-home services & appointmentsSpeak to a doctor and take a fertility test in the comfort and privacy of your home
All-inclusive packagesTransparent packages that include everything. No hidden costs.
Next-generation fertility clinicOur online clinic pairs fertility experts with cutting edge technology.
Speak with our fertility advisors
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