SUMMARY: In FIV Marbella we have the exclusive options for the lesbian couples wishing to share the motherhood experience. This IVF cycle is called Reciprocal IVF. The cycle involves both women: one woman undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval (oocyte pick–up), and the other woman undergoes endometrium preparation for the embryo implantation and embryo transfer. This is the top option chosen by lesbian couples nowadays.
PRICE: Reciprocal IVF (IVF for the lesbian couples) package: Price on Request.
More details about the Reciprocal IVF cycle in FIV Marbella.
Reciprocal IVF cycles are exclusively designed for lesbian couples who would like to have a small bundle of joy. These IVF cycles are authentic, therefore, are designed for every lesbian couple in the most suitable way for every case. The cycle is started in a classic IVF way: both women undergo pre–treatment screening tests, choose the sperm donor and fertilization technique that will be used.
As soon as pre–treatment screening tests’ results are obtained, the fertility expert discusses with the couple the most effective strategy that can be designed. One woman will undergo ovarian stimulation with injectable hormones and oral pills to stimulate her follicles to grow and produce more oocytes for further collection and fertilization. The other woman undergoes endometrium preparation for the embryonic gestation and the embryo transfer procedure.
After the oocytes are retrieved, they are transferred to the IVF lab where they undergo investigation and fertilization. Fertilized oocytes are called “embryos.” Embryos are transferred to the incubator to grow. The embryo development is constantly monitored, and the results are noted down. Ultimately, the embryo transfer date will be scheduled, and the actual ET will be performed. In two weeks, the pregnancy test will be done. If the pregnancy is achieved, the early ultrasound scan will be scheduled in several weeks to detect the embryonic heart activity.
The time frame:
IVF cycle’s approximate time frame (without pre–treatment screening tests time frame) is 20 days. IVF cycle’s approximate full time frame (with pre–treatment screening) is 30 days.
Ovarian stimulation protocol (12 days), oocyte pick–up [egg retrieval or oocyte collection] plus oocytes’ investigation and fertilization with ICSI technique (1 day), after oocyte pick–up [egg retrieval or oocyte collection] is completed, the time–frame for the Patient’s recovery after the oocyte retrieval (1–2 days), embryo culturing (3 days, or 6 days (for blastocysts). Here, it should be noted, that embryo culturing event starts after fertilization has been performed (24 hours) and 1 day or 2 days of the Patient’s recovery from oocyte retrieval time frame is also synchronized with embryo culturing time frame as during this timeline the embryo is already one day old or two days old and the embryo transfer event is usually scheduled in 6 days after fertilization).
Making the Reciprocal IVF “Roadmap’s Milestones” “visible”.
Reciprocal IVF cycle in FIV Marbella explained step–by–step:
STEP 1 | Initial consultation with FIV Marbella Fertility Expert.
Drafting your Reciprocal IVF cycle (drafting ovarian stimulation protocol, drafting the medications’ list for controlled ovarian stimulation cycle, scheduling the ultrasound “management” of ovarian stimulation, and scheduling the pre–treatment screening tests) by FIV Marbella Fertility Expert for the one woman who undergoes ovarian stimulation and oocyte pick–up.
Drafting the endometrium preparation protocol, the medications for the endometrium preparation, and scheduling the pre–treatment screening tests) by FIV Marbella Fertility Expert for the woman who undergoes endometrium preparation and embryo transfer.
For the woman who undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval (oocyte pick–up):
STEP 2 | Preparation for IVF cycle.
Pre–treatment screening tests and blood tests are performed for making the “tuning up” of the drafted IVF protocol according to the obtained results. The medications (fertility drugs) for ovarian stimulation and injectable hormones are prescribed. The medications for endometrium preparation are also prescribed.
STEP 3 | Controlled ovarian stimulation and its monitoring.
In vitro fertilization technique is characterized by the union of an oocyte and a spermatozoon (fertilization) is performed in the laboratory. This technique requires the implementation of a controlled ovarian stimulation protocol, thus, using gonadotropins subcutaneously and the management of the controlled ovarian stimulation cycle via ultrasound monitoring. Analytical control of the hormonal levels, analytical control of the hormonal balance, and analytical control of estradiol hormone indicates the oocytes’ maturity. Alternatively, ultrasound scans “visualize” the follicle maturation and the timeline for triggering the ovulation (for scheduling the TRIGGER SHOT — an injection done to prevent spontaneous ovulation (losing the mature oocytes).
STEP 4 | Trigger shot.
The trigger shot is injected to prevent self–ovulation and making oocytes’ collection accessible. After the trigger shot is done, there will be a short timeline to get ready for the ultrasound–guided oocyte retrieval procedure.
STEP 5 | Oocyte retrieval.
The egg retrieval procedure is an invasive one, therefore, it is performed in an operating theatre. Prior to oocyte pick–up, the patient will be sedated. The oocyte pick–up surgery usually lasts 10–15 minutes. This procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance: a fine needle “punctures” the follicles and the oocytes with liquid are collected from the follicles and transferred to the laboratory for further investigation and fertilization. Ideally, 8–10 mature oocytes will be retrieved. After that, the patient is discharged, and the recovery timeline takes 24–48 hours.
For the woman who undergoes endometrium preparation and embryo transfer:
STEP 2 | Controlled endometrium preparation.
You will start the endometrium preparation cycle. The endometrium preparation protocol is drafted, discussed and implemented prior to the embryo transfer “event.” The patient is prescribed the progesterone to prepare her uterus for the actual embryo transfer.
STEP 3 | “Validation” of the endometrium preparation for the actual embryo transfer.
The patient’s endometrium preparation is monitored via ultrasound scans and blood tests. This dual–control authentication system turns it possible to visualize what is “going on inside,” and to show the time frame for the actual embryo transfer according to the stage of the endometrium receptivity, thus boosting the embryo implantation chances.
Completing the Reciprocal IVF “Roadmap.”
STEP 6 | Sperm collection and sperm preparation.
If fresh sperm is used for fertilization: the donor’s sperm is collected and prepared for fertilization in the same time frame when the oocyte retrieval is performed.
If the frozen donated sperm is used for fertilization: the donated sperm is thawed (warmed) and prepared for the “fertilization” event.
STEP 7 | Fertilization.
After the oocyte retrieval, all collected oocytes are transferred to the laboratory for further “validation”. Only mature oocytes will be fertilized with the donor’s sperm. The fertilization technique is chosen and performed (conventional fertilization, ICSI, or IMSI).
If conventional fertilization is chosen, the oocytes and sperm cells are placed in the Petri–dish for self–fertilization event. The timeframe for conventional fertilization is 24 hours.
If ICSI or IMSI fertilization technique is chosen, then every oocyte is fertilized through microinjection by the ICSI micro–pipette where one single top–quality spermatozoon is placed and transferred directly into the oocyte’s cytoplasm. ICSI or IMSI technique involves using the IVF workstation or inverted micromanipulation workstation with micromanipulation platform.
Currently, some IVF centers have a new microscope that allows this technique to be performed with much higher magnification, being much more precise in the selection and injection of sperm, it is called IMSI.
STEP 8 | Embryo culturing.
Once the oocytes are fertilized with sperm, it is now called “an embryo” which is left to grow in special culture media, usually for three days following a rigorous process of observation of their morphology and cell number. The embryonic cohort for embryo transfer, even being large has its own criteria. Some embryos are mosaic and should be excluded from the embryonic cohort that is ideal for further embryo transfer event. Some embryos may stop their development and cannot be transferred because they are not viable.
In some cases, the embryo is left to grow up to six days (blastocyst stage) to select more rigorously their morphology and decide which are most likely to implant in the uterus of the patient after Embryo Transfer and which are susceptible for freezing (Embryo Vitrification).
STEP 9 | Embryo transfer.
Embryo transfer is a simple, non–invasive, painless, short–time procedure that does not need anesthesia or sedative medications. It is scheduled and performed on day 3 or day 6 (embryo culturing). One or two embryos are transferred into the maternal uterus through a special flexible tube (catheter). Embryo transfer is performed on an outpatient basis and after embryo transfer is completed, the patient is recommended to rest for 24—48 hours.
STEP 10 | Embryo vitrification.
On the day of embryo transfer “event”, remaining viable embryos are frozen using a vitrification technique, for future transfer in a subsequent cycle without starting an ovarian stimulation protocol and oocyte retrieval. Embryo freezing (embryo cohort freezing) for further frozen embryo transfer cycles is an essential component of a successful IVF, with vitrification technique providing top embryo survival ratings and excellent pregnancy outcomes. You both can choose embryo vitrification and embryo storage for future FET cycles.
STEP 11 | Pregnancy test.
Two weeks after the embryo transfer “event”, the patient will return to FIV Marbella for a pregnancy test. The blood test will be performed to measure hCG hormone levels and if they are increased, the pregnancy is achieved. hCG hormone is a specific hormone that is produced by the placenta after the embryo implantation event.
The urinary test will be performed two weeks later. If the patient is pregnant, the early ultrasound scan will be pre–scheduled in two or three more weeks (early ultrasound detects embryonic heart activity starting from week 6 or week 7 in pregnancy).
STEP 12 | Early ultrasound scan.
Early ultrasound scan is performed to detect the heart activity of the embryo and to confirm the pregnancy. If the ultrasound technician can see the sparkling dot on the screen that is the embryonic heart. If the embryonic heart has a normal heartbeat rate, that seems that embryo is viable and the embryonic heart is developing.
FIV Marbella IVF journey
Every IVF journey is unique. Every IVF cycle is authentic. Every embryo generated by IVF is a real Miracle. In FIV Marbella you will never go through IVF journey alone. You will be always “in touch” with the excessively experienced team of leading experts, navigating you throughout every IVF stage.