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Using a donor

Reciprocal IVF (shared motherhood)

Also called: Shared parenthood, partner-to-partner IVF

In a female same-sex or LGBTQIA+ couple, one partner's eggs are collected and fertilised with donor sperm, and the embryo is carried by the other partner. Both are part of the pregnancy – one genetically, one by carrying the baby.

How long

Like IVF

Typical private cost

From about £6,650 + sperm

NHS

Rarely funded

Where to get it97 UK clinicsFind

Who it's for

  • Female same-sex couples and LGBTQIA+ couples who both want a biological connection

Key facts

  • Female same-sex couples aged 18–37 had the highest IVF birth rate of any family type in 2022–24: 42% per embryo transferred.
  • The egg-providing partner is treated as a known donor, with screening and counselling.
  • Legal parenthood is automatic if you're married or in a civil partnership; otherwise you must sign HFEA parenthood forms before treatment.

What happens

  1. 1

    Tests for both partners

    The egg provider has ovarian reserve tests; the carrying partner has womb checks.

  2. 2

    Donor sperm and counselling

    Choose a sperm donor and have counselling as a couple.

  3. 3

    Stimulation and egg collection

    As in IVF, for the egg-providing partner.

  4. 4

    Transfer

    An embryo is placed in the carrying partner's womb, either fresh (cycles synced) or frozen later.

How long it takes: Similar to IVF; syncing two cycles may add a few weeks. Many clinics freeze embryos and transfer later.

Success rates

  • Driven by the egg provider's age. See IVF success rates and clinic statistics.

Each clinic's published rates – compared with the UK average – are on its profile in the clinic finder.

Costs

IVF cost plus donor sperm and known-donor screening. Some clinics price it as a package.

Examples from published UK price lists (November 2026)
WhatPriceClinic
IVF partner-to-partner donation cycle£6,650Concept Fertility
Two straws of donor sperm£3,990TFP Fertility
Full UK price guide

NHS funding

  • Rarely NHS-funded. Some areas will fund IVF for female couples after self-funded IUI, but may not fund the reciprocal element.
NHS funding by nation

Risks and side effects

  • Usual IVF risks for the egg-providing partner; pregnancy risks for the carrying partner.

Sources

Prices are examples from clinics' published price lists, checked November 2026. They change – always get a written quote.