27 Apr Shared motherhood in female couples

By Reproclinic Editorial Committee

At Reproclinic we help you build your own family offering the most appropriate treatments according to your preferences and particularities.

In most European countries, as well as many countries around the world, laws about gay marriage and their rights are often very restrictive. In Spain, the Law of Assisted Reproduction protects the rights of women in reproductive matters, regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation.

Our legislation establishes that every woman has the right to form her own family, freely and responsibly, including the possibility of resorting to assisted reproduction techniques. In the case of male homosexual couples, their only option is to access the adoption (because the current law does not cover subrogation), but in the case of women couples, the options are greater. The most common treatments are Intrauterine Insemination (Artificial Insemination) and In Vitro Fertilization, but there is a treatment that stands out above any other.

WHAT IS THE METHOD OF SHARED MOTHERHOOD?

The reception of female partner oocytes is an in vitro fertilization treatment for female couples, also called “shared motherhood”. It is the method most demanded by lesbian couples to conceive. It consists of an In Vitro Fertilization shared between both women: one donates the ovule and the other gestates the embryo fertilized with donor semen.

Thanks to this technique, both women participate actively in motherhood, being the two mothers of the baby (one as a biological mother and the other as a pregnant mother).

HOW IS SHARED MOTHERHOOD CARRIED OUT?

The process begins with a first informative visit (it can be both in person, and by videoconference), in which our specialists will analyze the situation of the couple, will be explained what the treatment consists of and some medical tests will be requested to both.

1. The woman who provides the ovules will undergo ovarian stimulation and will be induced to ovulate. When the ovules are mature, a puncture will be made to extract them.
2. The receiving woman will be administered, for 10 to 15 days, estrogen patches to prepare the endometrium.
3. In parallel, the donor semen sample is obtained. The In Vitro Fertilization, the embryonic culture and the selection of the optimal embryos for the transfer are carried out.
4. Finally, the fertilized embryos are transferred to the uterus of the recipient woman.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT?

• The couple must be legally married. It is an indispensable requirement according to Spanish law.
• The woman who donates the ovules must have a correct ovarian reserve
• The woman who receives the embryos should not have complex uterine pathologies.
• The donor of semen will be anonymous, always looking for a phenotypic similarity with mothers.

IS THE SHARED MOTHERHOOD TREATMENT EFFECTIVE?

Yes, Reproclinic uses high technology equipment as well as many great dedicated professionals that allow to achieve high success rates. The percentage ranges between 40-70% of cases, depending on factors such as age and ovarian reserve, pathologies of the recipient woman, etc. Our specialists personally study each case to offer you a reliable percentage.

HOW IS THE TREATMENT DONE IF YOU DO NOT RESIDE IN SPAIN?

We are aware of the high degree of anxiety that can result from having to travel to another country to undergo a fertility treatment. Because of that, we have developed a whole network of operations so that you can get to know the clinic and the medical team at home.

We will assign you a gynecologist specialist, a nurse and a biologist who speak your language and will accompany you throughout the process.

Your sterility doctor will start your treatment from your place of residence and we will coordinate it so that you do not have to move until the last moment. If you do not have a doctor, we will assign you the assisted reproduction center that is closest to your area.

Once you are ready, you will travel to Spain between 3 and 7 days. At Reproclinic we can organize your trip so you can enjoy unforgettable days in Barcelona.

At Reproclinic we will advise and accompany you so that you can make your wish to build a family come true.

Contact us!