What is Reciprocal IVF In Natural Cycle?
Reciprocal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in Natural Cycle, or Natural Reception of Oocytes from the Partner (ROPA),
enables a woman to carry the fertilized egg of her female partner. The genetic mother is typically younger than 35
and has had no fertility issues, while the mother carrying the baby can be up to age 50.
What makes our Reciprocal IVF in Natural Cycle treatment better?
NatuVitro is one of the first IVF centres in the world to offer Reciprocal IVF in Natural Cycle*. Being able to share the joy of motherhood with your wife female partner is a gift like no other. We retrieve the oocytes from the genetic mother through Natural Cycle IVF, fertilize them with donor sperm, and then transfer the embryos to the birth mother’s uterus. This allows lesbian couples to participate – biologically and emotionally – in a natural creation process.
Lower costs
With no expensive stimulation medication and no need for anaesthesia, Natural Cycle IVF is not only better for your physical and emotional well-being, but your financial well-being too.
Less stimulation medication
Natural Cycle IVF eliminates the need for excessive amounts of artificial stimulation medication and the associated side effects it can have on your body, allowing your well-being and natural cycle to be at an optimal state.
Little to no injections
Your comfort is our priority. We help you achieve your dream of building a family a healthier way, without daily injections, ongoing blood work and artificial hormones.
Zero risk of OHSS
Natural Cycle IVF completely removes the risk of +Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which can be a dangerous side effect of medically induced artificial stimulation.
Very low risk of multiple pregnancies
Most obstetrics agree that carrying multiple embryos to term increases the risk to the mom and her babies’ lives. Natural Cycle IVF stimulates a maximum of 3 eggs in any given cycle and we have full control of how many embryos will be implanted. However, there is the possibility that after transfer of one embryo, it could still divide and become twins, which is out of our control.
Anaesthesia-free
We follow gentle protocols and use the finest needles possible to make the egg retrieval experience as pain-free as possible. We have refined this process to the point that you won’t need anaesthesia, which reduces costs and risk to you.
Designed for you
You are unique, as is your body. As a boutique fertility clinic, we focus our attention on one patient at a time.
This means that we personalise your treatment to your needs. A one-size-fits-all solution is simply not an option.
Improved egg quality
The eggs that your body naturally selects are often better in quality than the stimulated eggs in a traditional IVF cycle.
* Reciprocal IVF in Natural Cycle can be recommended if you are older, depending on your overall health and circumstances. Please talk to us about finding the right treatment solution for you.
Is this treatment right for us?
Yes. And we have the success rates to prove it.
The chances of a successful conception are generally increased when the genetic mother is under the age of 35.
Which role should I play?
The decision on who will be the genetic mother and who will be the birth mother is an important one. And while we
will offer you medical advice informed by a multitude of factors such as age, health and medical screening
(among others) the decision is ultimately yours to make.
How Reciprocal IVF in Natural Cycle treatment works
During your consultation, you will have an in-depth conversation with your doctor, who will
review your case with you, and adapt your fertility journey to meet your needs.
PHASE 1
Ovulation Control
We get to know your body. Using ultrasound monitoring, coupled with our knowledge of your menstrual cycle, your doctor will pin point the exact moment you ovulate. In some instances, ovulation is induced by means of a trigger shot, which improves accuracy even more. However, unlike traditional clinics that use Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) which replaces the natural Luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, NatuVitro only uses medication that induces the natural LH surge.
PHASE 2
Semen Processing
We will help you select the most appropriate sperm donor, and prepare his sample for the fertilisation process. We take safety and traceability extremely seriously. Our IVF lab is equipped with one of the most sophisticated double security systems (among others), designed to eliminate any handling errors.
PHASE 3
Embryo Culture
In our laboratory we are able to fertilize the eggs with two different methods. The first method is, the more natural Conventional IVF where the mature egg is exposed to the prepared sperm sample and where the sperm fertilizes the egg naturally through natural selection. The second method is, the more invasive Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected with a micro-needle directly into your egg. The decision and the best way forward will be discussed between you and your doctor. IVF in Natural Cycle doesn’t require freezing or blastocyst culture and statistics show that the best results are obtained with fresh day 2 or 3 embryos, that were developed inside the protected environment of the EmbryoScope Flex Incubator ®.
PHASE 4
Endometrial Preparation
The carrying mother’s endometrium is primed and prepared to make sure that you’re her lining is in optimal condition to receive the embryo transfer. We may use either the natural cycle or the hormone replacement therapy, guided by your preference.
PHASE 5
Embryo Transfer
The embryo is gently deposited into the birth mother’s uterus. It is a risk-free and painless procedure that is carried out in the comfort of our tranquil transfer room. No anaesthesia is required.
PHASE 6
Pregnancy
15 days after transfer, we take a blood pregnancy test. You will also have a follow-up appointment where we check in to see how you are feeling physically and emotionally and talk about the next steps.
Spanish law and Natural Reciprocal IVF
If you are a married lesbian couple and the child is born in Spain
In Spanish Law, if the genetic and birth mothers are married, and the child is born in Spain, then both women will be
legally recognised as the mothers of the child born of an Assisted Reproduction treatment.
If you are an unmarried lesbian couple and the child is born in Spain
At present, if the couple is unmarried, Spanish Law only permits the birth mother to register the baby born from an
Assisted Reproduction treatment as her child. The genetic mother must go through an adoption process to be legally
registered as a mother in Spain.
Treatment cost
IN NATURAL CYCLE
Dedicated Patient Assistant
Follicle/Cycle monitoring
Scans and/or hormonal tests at NatuVitro
IVF Witness Security
1 Egg retrieval
Donor sperm
ICSI or conventional fertilization
1 Fresh transfer or embryo freezing
Pregnancy test at NatuVitro
8th Week monitoring at NatuVitro
__
Does not include:
Medicine if any
Mandatory blood tests required by law
Anaesthesia (If requested) +€300
Additional frozen embryo transfers
Total cost €3,495
TRADITIONAL ROPA
Dedicated Patient Assistant
Follicle/Cycle monitoring
Scans and/or hormonal tests at NatuVitro
IVF Witness Security
1 Conventional or mild stimulation
Sperm donor
1 Egg retrieval with anaesthesia
ICSI or conventional fertilization
Blastocyst stage culture of the embryo
Endometrium Preparation
1 Fresh single blastocyst transfer
Pregnancy test at NatuVitro
8th Week monitoring at NatuVitro
__
Does not include:
Medicine
Mandatory blood tests required by law
Additional vitrification and frozen embryo transfers
Total cost €6,090
Common Questions
Visit the FAQ page
How long does the Natural Reciprocal IVF process take?
The entire process is based on your menstrual cycle and takes around 10 to 14 days. You can expect fewer injections, blood tests and scans. This less demanding protocol is less stressful, which is better for conception.
Egg retrieval without anaesthesia sounds terrifying, is it painful?
No. The procedure is performed by a highly-skilled and experienced fertility doctor using very fine instruments. According to a survey conducted in Bern, 80% of women stated the puncture was no worse than having blood drawn. In over 3 000 cycles conducted in Bern, not a single patient had to halt the retrieval because of pain. After the puncture, which takes about 2 minutes, our patients may go home or even return to work.
Where are my embryos stored and for how long?
Preserving eggs, sperm, and embryos is an enormous responsibility. This is why we have state-of-the-art secure-access rooms equipped with sensors and alarms that are monitored around the clock. Sperm, be it your partner’s or a donor’s, can safely be stored for as long as is needed.
What are the pregnancy success rates for Natural Reciprocal IVF?
NatuVitro’s Natural Cycle IVF success rate per transfer is significantly higher than that of conventional IVF. The success rate of one stimulated IVF cycle is the equivalent of a maximum of 3 natural IVF cycles. This is not to say you will need 3 natural cycles to conceive. If you are young and healthy, you could conceive on your very first attempt.
Treatment Options
Artificial Insemination in Natural Cycle
Artificial Insemination (AI) – also known as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – is when healthy washed sperm is introduced directly inside the uterus when you are ovulating. This greatly improves your chances of conceiving without having sexual intercourse.
Natural Cycle IVF
Natural Cycle in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an advanced alternative to conventional intrauterine insemination (IUI). It can be done in subsequent cycles without your body needing rest in between so you can make the most of the time you have. At the time of ovulation, we aspirate one natural egg in a simple procedure that doesn’t require anaesthesia.
Natural Reciprocal IVF
Reciprocal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in Natural Cycle, or Natural Reception of Oocytes from the Partner (ROPA), enables a woman to carry the fertilized egg of her female partner. The genetic mother is typically younger than 35 and has had no fertility issues, while the mother carrying the baby can be up to age 50.
Mild IVF treatment
Mild in vitro fertilisation (IVF), also known as mini IVF, is our advanced alternative to conventional IVF. It is a good treatment to explore if you are under 45, have a low or very Low Ovarian Reserve, Endometriosis or other similar reproductive obstacles, and have been told that you can no longer use your own eggs in traditional infertility treatments.
IVF with Egg Donation
The desire to experience the joy of pregnancy and the bond that forms between a mother and her child during pregnancy is powerful and natural. If you have exhausted all other fertility treatment options with your own eggs – including Mild IVF – our IVF with Egg Donation treatment could help you become a mother with the help of an egg donor.
Ferti Freeze
Ferti Freeze, also known as Female Fertility Preservation, Social Egg Freezing or Oocyte Cryopreservation, is a technique used to preserve your current fertility by retrieving your eggs in their current healthy and quality condition. Your eggs are frozen (vitrified) and safely stored for when the time is right for you.