Assisted Reproduction Treatments
The ROPA method, also known as Shared Motherhood (“ROPA” stands for “Reception of Partner’s Oocytes”), has become an increasingly popular choice among lesbian couples.
It consists of an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment shared between both women: one undergoes ovarian stimulation to provide the oocytes, and her partner carries the pregnancy and gives birth.
The oocytes are retrieved through ovarian puncture and fertilized with donor sperm, just as in a standard IVF treatment.
In this way, both women actively participate in the pregnancy process, each being a biological mother: the first as the genetic mother and the second as the gestational mother.
The Assisted Reproduction Act 14/2006 had to be amended to specifically recognize that, in the case of the ROPA technique for lesbian couples, the woman can receive eggs from her partner and that both mothers are considered the parents of the baby, whether they underwent the treatment for medical reasons or by choice. In this way, it exceptionally becomes a non-anonymous egg donation. Unlike other assisted reproduction procedures, in the case of the ROPA method, the mothers must be married.
Ovarian stimulation
Oocyte retrieval (ovarian puncture)
When a partner's sperm presents a problem, in the case of single women or lesbian couples, it is necessary to use donor sperm.
At Institut Marquès, we have our own sperm bank with more than 2,000 premium donors. These are anonymous donors, as Spanish Law 14/2006 of May 14th on assisted human reproduction techniques establishes that donation must be anonymous, voluntary, informed, and unpaid.
Having our own sperm bank allows us to know the donors and select only the best. These are young men who decide to donate to help others start a family and who must pass rigorous medical and psychological tests. We also have access to all sperm phenotypes to find the most suitable match for each case. At Institut Marquès, the doctor personally selects the most suitable sperm donor for each patient, taking into account their physical characteristics and inherited personality traits. We strive for the perfect match.
We want to continue helping the LGBTIQ+ community—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people, as well as other sexual and gender diversities—to achieve their dream of starting a family.
See below for the base prices of our treatments. We offer interest-free financing for your treatments. Learn more about our financing options here.
Ovarian puncture is a minimally invasive procedure performed under sedation to retrieve eggs from ovarian follicles. Using a fine needle guided by ultrasound, the eggs are collected and prepared for fertilization in the laboratory.
Ovarian puncture may cause mild discomfort or abdominal cramping after the procedure, but it is performed under sedation to minimize pain during the intervention. Most women can resume their normal activities the following day.
The woman who will provide the eggs undergoes ovarian stimulation through hormonal injections. This process stimulates the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in a single cycle, increasing the chances of successful fertilization.
The recipient's uterus is prepared through hormonal treatment that simulates the natural menstrual cycle, preparing the endometrium for embryo implantation. This treatment may include the use of estrogen and progesterone.
The eggs collected from the donor woman are fertilized in the laboratory using donor sperm. The resulting embryos are cultured for a few days before being transferred to the other woman's uterus.
To maximize the chances of success, it is important to synchronize the menstrual cycles of the donor mother and the recipient or surrogate mother. This is achieved through the administration of hormonal medications, which prepare the recipient's uterus to receive the embryos at the appropriate time.
The number of embryos to transfer depends on several factors, including the woman's age and the quality of the embryos. At Institut Marquès, we transfer a single embryo in over 90% of cases. This demonstrates that the chances of success do not decrease, thus avoiding the risks associated with multiple pregnancies.
It is recommended to lead a quiet life, avoid intense physical activities, and follow medical instructions.
Unused embryos can be cryopreserved for future pregnancy attempts. They can also be donated to other couples or used for research, depending on the country's legislation and the recipient couple's preferences.
No, the ROPA method does not affect the mother-child relationship. Both women actively participate in the conception and gestation process, which can strengthen the family bond. The emotional and physical connection with the baby is similar to that of any pregnancy.
Embryo transfer is generally performed between 3 and 5 days after fertilization, when the embryos have reached the blastocyst stage. This allows for the selection of embryos with the highest implantation potential.
