Fertility Treatments
For many same-sex couples, the dream is to both play a biological role in parenthood. Reciprocal IVF - or Shared Motherhood - makes this possible, allowing both partners to share in the biological journey and celebrate their shared connection from the very start.
Reciprocal IVF – sometimes called Shared Motherhood or Shared Parenthood IVF – is a fertility treatment designed for same-sex and lesbian couples. One partner provides the eggs, while the other receives the embryo and carries the pregnancy.
This approach can also be an option for couples where one partner is a trans man or non-binary person with a womb and ovaries, allowing both partners to share in the biological journey of parenthood.
For many couples, reciprocal IVF is about more than treatment. It’s about shared involvement, equality and connection. Patients often describe it as a powerful way to both feel fully involved and recognised as parents. Some couples choose it to strengthen feelings of legitimacy and security, while others value the opportunity to promote a strong biological and emotional bond with their child.
Researchers found that both the egg provider and the birthing partner develop equally strong bonds with their child.
Importantly, families reported no rivalry or jealousy between partners about who is the “real” mother. Both mothers felt secure in their roles and children were equally bonded to each parent, demonstrating that shared parenthood fosters a balanced, nurturing environment for the whole family.1
Many couples described shared motherhood IVF as a profoundly meaningful experience, reflecting the unique biological and emotional bond it creates, with one patient saying:
“It was my partner’s egg, but my blood flowed through her.”
These experiences show that children in families formed this way grow up with strong, loving relationships with both parents, thriving in a supportive and nurturing environment.2
Our reciprocal IVF process involves five clear steps, with support from our doctors at every stage:
One partner takes medication to stimulate the ovaries. Deciding who carries the pregnancy can reflect personal or medical preferences.
Mature eggs are collected through a simple, minimally invasive procedure.
Eggs are fertilised in our lab using carefully screened donor sperm.
Embryos are carefully monitored in our laboratories by our experienced embryology team, using advanced technology including time-lapse imaging to support the best possible outcomes.
One embryo is transferred into the other partner’s womb, completing the shared biological journey.
Tash and Jo came to our Bristol clinic as patients and left as part of the family. As two nursery workers who understood care and nurturing deeply, they began their reciprocal IVF journey with our Bristol team - one partner providing the eggs, the other carrying their baby - and in 2025, welcomed their little boy into the world.
Their connection with the Bristol clinic ran so deep that when the Familymakers Show came calling, Tash and Jo were the first to say yes, sharing their story on the panel with other same-sex couples just starting out. If you're a lesbian couple exploring reciprocal IVF, theirs is a story worth watching.
Reciprocal IVF Success in Numbers
In 2018, we conducted the world’s largest study on Reciprocal IVF, confirming the effectiveness and safety of this approach.
A well-established and trusted treatment, our Reciprocal IVF offers pregnancy and live birth rates that match standard IVF*, giving you the freedom to grow your family without compromise. *Bodri et al,. 2018
Want to learn more? Explore our success rates page to see the latest outcomes.
Children thrive in loving, supportive families - no matter the family structure. Some same-sex couples worry that a non-traditional setup might affect their child’s wellbeing.
Research from London Women’s Clinic on families created through shared biological motherhood shows that children enjoy healthy, positive relationships with both parents, providing reassurance about long-term family wellbeing.*
Many couples choose donor sperm for a range of reasons, including medical considerations, practical constraints and personal preferences.
When both partners are women or include a transgender male or non-binary individual, donor sperm is needed to complete the process. At London Women’s Clinic, we have built a close, fully integrated partnership with London Sperm Bank - the UK’s leading provider - giving patients access to a wide choice of fully screened, HFEA-compliant donors.
Reciprocal IVF is one of several fertility options for same-sex couples. Each pathway has its own benefits:
We’ll help you explore which approach best fits your priorities, whether that’s simplicity, cost or shared involvement.
The cost of Reciprocal IVF can vary depending on your treatment plan and whether you choose fresh or frozen embryo transfers. Understanding what’s included can help you plan your fertility journey with confidence.
Additional services such as extended embryo culture, sedation, HFEA licence fees and embryo storage are available at an extra cost and can be discussed with our team when planning your treatment.
For a full breakdown of costs and packages, please contact our team.
Costs start from
Included in the fee:
In addition to your main procedure fee, there are some additional costs you will need to be aware of when planning your treatment. Additonal costs may include:
Exact costs will be discussed after your consultation and once a treatment plan has been confirmed for you. For Reciprocal IVF Package the average total treatment cost is £10,695 - £12,095
‘We have two beautiful children - our family wouldn't exist without LWC Brentwood.<br><br>Can't recommend them highly enough; IVF is an emotional rollercoaster regardless of your journey and we were supported at every step.<br><br>Pricing is transparent and easy to understand, with payment plans available that made accessing any treatment and medication very flexible and affordable.<br><br>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.<br><br>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!<br><br>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.<br><br>A special thank you to Dr Timea Kovats, a highly experienced, knowledgeable and to the wonderful staff Jackie, Annette, Tracey.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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. ❤️<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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. ❤️<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>The clinic has a calm, relaxing vibe and is very clean.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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
This is a deeply personal decision. Considerations include medical history, age, fertility potential and personal preference. Our specialists provide guidance on both biological and emotional factors to help you make the choice that’s right for your family.
Pregnancies via reciprocal IVF are generally safe, but research shows there may be a slightly higher risk of conditions such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or other pregnancy-related complications, particularly in first-time pregnancies or with certain health profiles. Your care team will monitor these risks closely and provide tailored support throughout the pregnancy.
Reciprocal IVF success rates are generally similar to those of traditional IVF - and in some cases, may be slightly higher* - when using a healthy egg and uterus. Factors such as the age of the egg provider and the partner carrying the pregnancy can influence outcomes. For perspective, in 2024, the live birth rate per embryo transferred for same-sex female couples using their own eggs was 39%. Reciprocal IVF, which combines one partner’s eggs with the other partner’s uterus, tends to do even better. *Based on London Women's Clinic 2024 outcomes.
London Women’s Clinic has been a leader in making this treatment an established and trusted option for LGBT+ families.
The best way to get started is with a fertility health assessment for both partners, which includes ultrasound scans, AMH testing and a consultation with one of our fertility specialists.
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Explore expert insights, personal stories and the latest research to guide you through every step of your fertility journey.
When a couple with embryos in storage separate, both people need to agree on what happens next. Our new study, published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online, found that two-thirds of separated couples chose to discard their stored embryos, around one in five kept them for possible future use, and very few donated them to others for treatment.
PGT-A is an optional test that may help some people having IVF understand more about the chromosomal status of their embryos before deciding which to transfer. It can be useful in certain circumstances, and has been shown to reduce the risk of miscarriage, but it isn’t suitable or necessary for everyone.
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