31 January 2024

Shared motherhood enhances family bonds in the IVF treatment of same-sex female couples

Egg donation continues to revolutionize parenthood options for couples in the UK and a recent study data reveals its success in helping same-sex female couples embrace reciprocal IVF, bridging genetic connections for fulfilling shared motherhood.

There is a minority of infertile couples for whom egg donation offers their only hope of parenthood. These are couples whose fertility problems usually lie within the ovaries, where for various reasons - biological or just age - the quality and number of eggs suitable for fertilisation is simply not sufficient. An egg supplied by a donor, usually available in frozen form from an egg bank, can provide that essential ingredient which nature is unable to do. Today, as official data from the UK’s regulator show, egg donation is one of the most successful fertility treatments available, particularly in women of an older maternal age.

There is, of course, one assumed downside to egg donation, and one reason why so many heterosexual couples seem not immediately so keen, and that is that any resulting baby will not share the genetic inheritance of both parents: although 50% of the baby’s genes will be derived from its father (through insemination or in vitro fertilisation) 50% of the baby’s genes will still be from the donor - and to some couples that can be difficult to accept. However, recent research has shown that the development of the baby is still significantly influenced by the uterine environment in which it grows.

As the techniques of treating infertility have expanded - even to many couples and individuals who are not biologically infertile - so the definition of ‘infertility’ has changed, now more broadly interpreted as applicable to anyone unable to achieve a successful pregnancy because of their reproductive history or age.

The treatment of same-sex female couples has become an important service in reproductive medicine. UK figures show that insemination treatments increased by 17% between 2019 and 2021, and IVF treatments by 33%, with around 4000 same-sex couples treated in 2021. Yet, since they need donor sperm for egg fertilisation, these couples must also navigate potentially complex genetic connections in their family. For most couples treated by egg and sperm donation this is not a problem, and research shows that child development is similar in families that have used egg or sperm donation, compared to standard IVF. However, the treatment options for same-sex female couples now include a technique to bring the two partners even closer together in their pregnancy and birth - in a procedure now known as shared motherhood.

The technique of shared motherhood - sometimes termed ‘reciprocal IVF’ - has been largely established and popularised by our team at London Women’s Clinic, where we reported ‘high delivery rates’ from treatments in 121 same-sex couples we treated, published in a 2018 study featured in Sociology. The procedure, has one partner providing the egg through IVF, which, after fertilisation with donor sperm, is transferred to the other partner to carry in pregnancy. This means that one partner is the genetic mother, and the other partner is the gestational mother, allowing same-sex female couples to ‘share’ biological parenthood for the first time. And now, new joint research between London Women’s Clinic and Dr Susie Bower-Brown, Kate Shaw and Professor Susan Golombok suggests that reciprocal IVF offers a fulfilling route to parenthood, as it allows two-mother families to feel less ‘biological inequality’ in their mother-child connections. The research shows that mothers found it special to share the journey to parenthood together, and that reciprocal IVF helped both mothers feel connected to each other and their baby.

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The study entitled ‘Biogenetic Kinship in Families Formed via Reciprocal IVF: ‘It Was [My Partner]’s Egg . . . But My Blood Flowed through Her’ published in Sociology drew upon interviews with 14 two-mother families who had conceived via reciprocal IVF. The study reported that mothers took an active and strategic approach to understanding and creating closeness and connection within their family. This suggests that attitudes to genetic inheritance in families - particularly in families conceived by assisted reproduction - are complex.

Dr Susie Bower-Brown who led the study found that the “mothers understanding of closeness was not easily explained by genetics, gestation, blood ties, or traditional understandings of ‘family’. Instead, mothers understood closeness in a number of different ways, for example, some gestational mothers felt that pregnancy, breastfeeding and birth built close mother-child bonds”. Some genetic mothers felt that their genetic connection with their baby helped them feel secure in their relationship. For others, the gestational/genetic relationship was less important to them, and for many mothers, their biological connection between less important as their child grew up, as they formed strong relationships through the effort they put into parenting and the time spent with their child. What also seems clear from other studies - notably from the Centre for Family Research in Cambridge - is that there are no differences in parent–child relationship quality between gestational and genetic mothers in shared motherhood IVF families. And that is more good news for the couples now looking at shared motherhood to make their families.

Want to know more?

You can learn more about using donor eggs and options for same-sex female couples on the London Women's Clinic website.

All of our blog posts are written, edited, or produced by the London Women's Clinic Content Team. This is a collaboration between our expert writers, health editors, and the leading researchers and senior doctors at our Harley Street clinic.

‘We have two beautiful children - our family wouldn't exist without LWC Brentwood. Can't recommend them highly enough; IVF is an emotional rollercoaster regardless of your journey and we were supported at every step. Pricing is transparent and easy to understand, with payment plans available that made accessing any treatment and medication very flexible and affordable. The clinic became such a part of our lives for that short time, the care and support is so important and LWC Brentwood were brilliant. Maybe we will see them again for number 3!’

Victoria Hayman

10 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire team for supporting me throughout my IVF journey. I am delighted to share that I had a positive pregnancy test following my very first IVF cycle fresh embryo transfer, and I am now 9 weeks pregnant! The staff at the LWC Colchester satellite clinic are very supportive, approachable and always do their best to help you at every stage of the journey. I would definitely recommend LWC Colchester to anyone considering fertility treatment. A special thank you to Dr Timea Kovats, a highly experienced, knowledgeable and to the wonderful staff Jackie, Annette, Tracey. Their excellent guidance, expertise, care and supportive approach played a significant role in making my first IVF cycle successful. I am truly grateful for their dedication, encouragement and support throughout this journey. I am equally grateful to all the staff at Colchester satellite clinic and the London main clinic for their care and support throughout the entire process. Thank you once again for helping us achieve such a special milestone in our lives. We will always be grateful for your support! ❤️’

jigu

10 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘Friendly, experienced and professional team. Supported throughout the entire process and would highly recommend.’

Mizzee West

10 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘The nursing team are so friendly and so supportive. Made everything so much better and easier to go through egg freezing.’

Megan Godber

10 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘We had a great experience as the team here are very knowledgeable and caring and they made us feel taken care of throughout! Big shout out to Rute & Trianni for their care and support 😊’

Chiamaka Nelson

9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘The team here are very kind and helpful and made the journey completely painless! They kept us informed throughout the process and were always responsive when we had questioned’

Aruna Nelson

9 November 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘They've given us wonderful service very easy to be around. Very good communication, and very good at helping us out with everything they've done so far.’

Jessica Norman

9 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘We had a fantastic experience with LWC, Dr Rimington’s passion and expertise were second to none and we strongly believe that he is the reason for our success. All the staff were lovely, helpful and kind - we will definitely use LWC again’

Hannah Hale

9 November 2026, LWC Brighton

‘I honestly cannot recommend this fertility clinic highly enough. From the very beginning, the care, compassion and support we received were absolutely exceptional. Going through fertility treatment is an incredibly emotional journey, with so many ups and downs, but the team made us feel supported, listened to and genuinely cared for every step of the way. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and every member of staff we encountered was kind, understanding, professional and reassuring. What really stood out was how personal the experience felt. We never felt like just another number. The team took the time to answer our questions, put our minds at ease and guide us through what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming process. We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for us and will never forget the part they have played in helping us grow our family. We now have our little miracles, and we couldn't be more thankful. If you're considering fertility treatment, I would wholeheartedly recommend LWC. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make our dream come true! ❤️’

Emma Hayman

8 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘Had a really positive experience visiting the Oxford Clinic. Nurse Manager Liv, took time to make me us feel at ease and explained how the appointment will go. Thank you!’

Kinga Arcana-Jones

7 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Everyone my partner and I have interacted with at the Oxford clinic has been warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They’ve really helped make a very daunting process easier to go through and I’m very glad we chose this clinic!’

Jess Palmer

5 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Very friendly staff and a lovely inclusive environment, had a wonderful experience here. Highly recommend for anyone looking at fertility preservation.’

T Ilagan

5 November 2026, LWC Oxford

‘As an LGBTQ couple we found LWC Colchester incredibly supportive, no question was too much. They were friendly and welcoming, with modern facilities, and made your journey feel very personalised. We would highly recommend them for your fertility journey.’

Jasmine Colman

5 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘A massive thank you to Dom and Dr Vasquez for all of their help throughout the process!’

James Purcell

5 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Me and my husband can’t thank everyone at London Women’s Clinic enough for all the care and support throughout our recent treatment. Everything went really well, and we are so grateful to all the doctors and the entire team for looking after me. A special thank you to Mimi, Dr Barbara, Caroline, Trina and Elena from Embryology team and the Theatre Team - Rose, Martin and Amy F. Everyone was so kind, helpful and reassuring, and it really made a difference. Thank you all for everything. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️’

IsadelandCyril

4 November 2026, LWC Harley Street

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️ A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey. We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process. IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier. Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey. Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’

Alexandru Predescu

3 November 2026, LWC Harrow

‘I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire team who supported us throughout our IVF treatment. ❤️ A special thank you to Ana-Maria,our nurse, for her kindness, patience, compassion and professionalism. She was always so caring, understanding and supportive, making us feel reassured and comfortable during such an emotional and challenging journey. We would also like to thank Dr Gill from the bottom of our hearts for his professionalism, dedication, expertise and the confidence he gave us throughout the entire process. IVF is not just a medical treatment; it is an emotional journey filled with hope, challenges and many feelings. Having such wonderful people by our side made everything so much easier. Thank you for your care, support and dedication. We truly appreciate everything you have done for us and would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone beginning their IVF journey. Thank you for being part of our journey! ❤️’

Mihaela-Clemansa Predescu

3 November 2026, LWC Harrow

‘Simply Brilliant .’

Ramachandran Jeyamohan

3 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘I feel so blessed and grateful to have been under the lovely nurse Katie and Dr Kovats’s care. Everyone I encountered in the clinic on or off line was friendly, reassuring, thoughtful, and patient with me. I could feel the genuine care from Katie and Dr Kovats. I feel very reassured knowing they'd be there with me every step of the way; it is a great relief to have medical professionals like them on my side. They listened attentively, were reassuring, explained what I need to know thoroughly and were very approachable. Thank you to Carina, the friendly clinic coordinator, for always answering my emails promptly and being so helpful with all the questions I threw at her. Also, to the lovely staff member with blonde hair (I’m so sorry I forgot your name!) who did the ultrasound scan, thank you for being so attentive and making me feel relaxed. The clinic has a calm, relaxing vibe and is very clean. I have had a wonderful experience with the clinic and would highly recommend the team to anyone on their fertility journey!’

T Yang

3 November 2026, LWC Brentwood

‘We have used London Women's Clinic twice in the last two years for successful egg retrieval and two subsequent frozen embryo transfers. We have always been met with care, compassion and a personal approach. Every step from the initial consultation right through to the 7 week scan has been professional and polite, always accommodating our needs and timings. We can't thank the team enough for giving us such support towards creating our family.’

Lucy Richards

2 November 2026, LWC Tunbridge Wells

‘Myself and my husband owe it all to london womens clinic, they were amazing from start to finish. We previously were under another clinic and decided to make the change due to many reasons and we are so glad we did. They treat everyone as individuals, not everyones fertility journeys are the same. The small team at Colchester make it so personable not to mention how amazing all 4 women are that work here, their knowledge empathy and listening skills simply cannot be found at any other clinic. The list goes on as to why I would recommend LWC but everyone likes a to the point review. They genuinely care they dont treat you like a number and they help you through every hurdle that occurs. Our little boy wouldn't be possible without these 4, each of them play a bigger part than they realise. 💙’

Ellen Turrell

2 November 2026, LWC Colchester

‘Wonderful punch of people, caring, competent, and efficient in all they do. It feels we are all in a mission together and they are invested in the success of our pregnancy. Thank k you 🙏’

Yasmine Mora

30 October 2026, LWC London Bridge

‘I couldn’t speak more highly of the London Women’s Clinic Oxford! From the moment you walk in you are greeted with such a warm welcome. The reception area is bright and welcoming and the receptionist is lovely. All of the staff are so friendly, helpful and polite. Going through this journey can be emotional, so having such a wonderful supportive, caring clinic to visit makes all the difference. Everyone goes above and beyond to make you feel comfortable and looked after. I feel so lucky to have such a lovely team supporting me along the way. Thank you all! 🍀💗’

Louise

30 October 2026, LWC Oxford

‘Incredible service and professionals. They made me feel comfortable and safe the entire journey. Thank you!’

Luciana Lombardi

30 October 2026, LWC Cambridge

‘I had an absolutely amazing experience at LWC from start to finish! There are literally no wait times so we were able to get started pretty much straight away after consultation. The process was seamless, with a lot of flexibility if you need to change appt time. Nurses are amazing and so supportive. Special shout out to Kate and Chris who were so kind and made the whole experience so much better. Also the nurses on the ward were absolutely amazing but I can’t remember their names. I’m now discharged as I’m pregnant from my first try! However I will look forward to returning in the future for my second embryo which is currently frozen 😊’

Kathryn Jessica

27 October 2026, LWC Bromley