Reciprocal IVF (ROPA) in Portugal: Both Partners in Your Pregnancy

One of the most beautiful aspects of modern fertility medicine is that it allows two women to share the biological journey of creating their child. Reciprocal IVF—known as ROPA (Reception of Oocytes from Partner) in medical terminology—means one partner provides the eggs while the other carries the pregnancy. It's not just about having a baby together; it's about both of you being physically part of bringing that child into the world.

Portugal is one of the few European countries where ROPA is explicitly legal, regulated, and routinely performed. If you and your partner dream of this shared experience, here's everything you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• Shared biological connection: One partner provides eggs while the other carries the pregnancy, creating a biological bond for both mothers
• Legal in Portugal: ROPA has been explicitly legal and regulated since 2016
• Cost-effective: ROPA costs EUR 6,000-8,000 in Portugal compared to EUR 10,000-14,000 in Spain
• Success rates: Based on the egg provider's age, ranging from 50-55% (under 35) to 12-20% (over 43)
• Timeline: 6-8 weeks total, with 2-3 weeks in Porto during active treatment

What is Reciprocal IVF (ROPA)?

Key fact: ROPA allows one partner to contribute genetically (eggs) while the other contributes gestationally (pregnancy), creating a biological connection for both mothers.

In a standard IVF cycle, one woman provides eggs and carries the pregnancy. In reciprocal IVF:

• Partner A undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval
• Partner B receives the embryo and carries the pregnancy
• Donor sperm fertilizes the eggs
• Both partners have a biological role in creating your family

The result? One of you is the genetic mother; the other is the birth mother. Together, you've both contributed to your child's existence in profound, tangible ways.

Why Couples Choose ROPA

Equal Biological Participation

For many lesbian couples, ROPA represents true partnership in parenthood. Rather than one partner being "more" the biological mother, both of you have physical, biological roles.

Fertility Optimization

ROPA allows you to choose the best biological arrangement based on your individual fertility:

• If Partner A has excellent egg quality but uterine issues, she provides eggs while Partner B carries
• If Partner B is older and concerned about egg quality, younger Partner A provides eggs while Partner B carries
• If one partner has a strong desire to experience pregnancy, she can carry regardless of who provides eggs

Emotional Significance

Many couples describe ROPA as deeply meaningful:

"We both made this baby. She carries my genetic material; I carry our child. We're truly doing this together."

When One Partner Can't Do Both

Sometimes one partner has good eggs but can't carry, or can carry but doesn't have viable eggs. ROPA makes parenthood possible by combining each partner's strengths.

Is ROPA Legal in Portugal?

Key fact: Yes. Portuguese Law 32/2006 explicitly permits ROPA for same-sex female couples, making Portugal one of Europe's most progressive countries for LGBTQ+ family building.

Countries Where ROPA is Legal

Country	ROPA Legal	Notes
Portugal	✅ Yes	Fully regulated since 2016
Spain	✅ Yes	Also widely available
Belgium	✅ Yes	Permitted
UK	❌ No	Not available—egg sharing between partners not permitted
France	❌ No	Not currently legal
Germany	❌ No	Legal restrictions

If you're a UK couple wanting ROPA, Portugal and Spain are your closest options. Portugal offers lower costs and no waiting lists.

How ROPA Works: Step by Step

Phase 1: Initial Assessment (Week 1-2)

Both partners undergo fertility evaluation:

Partner A (Egg Provider):

• AMH blood test (ovarian reserve)
• Antral follicle count ultrasound
• Hormone panel (FSH, LH, estradiol)
• General health screening

Partner B (Gestational Carrier):

• Uterine assessment (ultrasound, possibly HSG)
• Hormone levels
• General health screening
• BMI and lifestyle factors

The clinic reviews results and confirms both partners are suitable for their respective roles. If issues arise, they'll discuss alternatives.

Phase 2: Synchronization (Week 3-4)

The magic of ROPA requires syncing two bodies:

• Partner A begins ovarian stimulation medications to produce multiple eggs
• Partner B takes medications to prepare her uterine lining for embryo reception
• Both partners have monitoring appointments (can sometimes be staggered)

Phase 3: Egg Retrieval (Week 4-5)

Partner A's procedure:

• Final "trigger" shot 36 hours before retrieval
• Egg retrieval under light sedation (20-30 minutes)
• Typically 8-15 eggs retrieved
• Recovery for a few hours, mild cramping normal

Partner B during this time:

• Continues uterine preparation
• Monitoring confirms lining is optimal (8mm+ triple-line pattern)

Phase 4: Fertilization & Embryo Development (Week 5)

• Partner A's eggs are fertilized with donor sperm (ICSI technique)
• Embryos develop in the lab for 5-6 days (blastocyst stage)
• Embryologist selects the highest quality embryo for transfer
• Remaining good-quality embryos can be frozen for future siblings

Phase 5: Embryo Transfer to Partner B (Week 5-6)

• Simple procedure, no anesthesia needed (like a Pap smear)
• Takes about 10 minutes
• Partner A can be present for this meaningful moment
• Rest for 30 minutes, then normal activities

Phase 6: Two-Week Wait & Result (Week 6-8)

• Continue progesterone support
• Pregnancy blood test 10-14 days after transfer
• If positive: early pregnancy scans and transition to OB care
• If negative: follow-up consultation to discuss next steps

Timeline Summary

Phase	Duration	What Happens
Assessment	1-2 weeks	Testing for both partners
Synchronization	2-3 weeks	Medications begin, monitoring
Stimulation & Retrieval	10-14 days	Partner A's egg retrieval
Embryo Development	5-6 days	Lab culture to blastocyst
Transfer & TWW	2 weeks	Transfer to Partner B, wait
Total	6-8 weeks

Time in Porto: Both partners should plan for 2-3 weeks during the active treatment phase.

ROPA Costs in Portugal

Key fact: ROPA in Portugal costs €6,000-8,000, compared to €10,000-14,000 in Spain—the only nearby alternative for UK couples.

Cost Breakdown

Component	Cost
Partner A: Stimulation, retrieval, anesthesia	€2,500-3,500
Partner B: Preparation, transfer	€1,500-2,000
Lab work (ICSI, embryo culture)	€1,500-2,000
Donor sperm	€400-600
Medications (both partners)	€1,000-1,500
Embryo freezing (if applicable)	€300-500
Total clinic costs	€6,500-9,500

Additional Costs

Item	Cost
Flights (UK to Porto, 2 people)	€200-500
Accommodation (2-3 weeks)	€800-1,500
Nestiva concierge service	€625-1,000
Total all-inclusive	€8,000-12,500

This compares very favorably to €12,000-18,000+ for ROPA in Spain.

Success Rates for ROPA

ROPA success rates are similar to standard IVF and depend primarily on the egg provider's age:

Success by Egg Provider Age

Egg Provider (Partner A) Age	Success Rate per Transfer
Under 35	50-55%
35-37	40-48%
38-40	32-40%
41-42	22-30%
Over 43	12-20%

Key insight: The gestational carrier's age matters less than the egg provider's age. If Partner A (eggs) is 32 and Partner B (carrier) is 42, your success rate is based on the 32-year-old's eggs—around 50%.

This is why some couples choose to have the younger partner provide eggs even if the older partner could also do so.

Deciding Who Does What

One of the first conversations you'll have is: who provides eggs, and who carries?

Factors to Consider

Fertility factors:

• Who has better ovarian reserve (AMH levels)?
• Who has a healthier uterus?
• Any known fertility issues for either partner?

Age considerations:

• Egg quality declines faster than uterine function
• If there's a significant age gap, consider having the younger partner provide eggs
• Carrying capacity remains good into the 40s for most women

Personal desires:

• Does one partner strongly want to experience pregnancy?
• Does one partner have anxiety about pregnancy or medical procedures?
• How do each of you feel about the genetic vs. gestational contribution?

Future planning:

• Planning multiple children? You could switch roles for subsequent pregnancies
• Freeze extra embryos with Partner A's eggs for a future pregnancy where Partner B provides eggs?

There's No Wrong Answer

Some couples know immediately; others need time to discuss. There's no "right" choice—only what works for your relationship. Fertility counseling can help if you're finding the decision difficult.

Legal Parentage After ROPA

In Portugal

Portuguese law recognizes both partners as legal parents when a child is born to a same-sex couple following registered fertility treatment. Both mothers will be listed on the birth certificate.

Process:

1. Register your relationship and treatment with the clinic
2. Both partners present at birth registration
3. Both names appear on Portuguese birth certificate

In Your Home Country

Recognition varies:

UK:

• Both partners can be legal parents if you follow UK parenthood rules
• The birth mother is automatically a legal parent
• The non-birth partner can be a legal parent if you were married/civil partners at time of treatment or if she consents to treatment
• Consult a family lawyer for your specific situation

Other EU countries:

• Generally recognize Portuguese birth certificates under EU regulations
• Some countries may require additional steps
• Check with your local authorities

What the Experience is Like

Partner A's Experience (Egg Provider)

"The stimulation phase meant daily injections—not painful, just part of the routine. Monitoring appointments every few days. By the end I felt bloated and emotional from the hormones. Egg retrieval day I was nervous, but the sedation meant I barely remember it. Some cramping after, but nothing severe. Emotionally, it was powerful knowing my eggs would become our baby."

Partner B's Experience (Gestational Carrier)

"My part was easier physically—pills and vaginal suppositories to prepare my uterus, monitoring to check my lining. The transfer itself was anticlimactic—quick and painless. Then the two-week wait, which was emotionally the hardest part. When the test came back positive and we saw the heartbeat, I was carrying a piece of her, and that felt like magic."

Together

"We went through the hard parts together. She held my hand after retrieval; I held hers during the pregnancy anxieties. Neither of us felt like a bystander—we were both all in."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use a known sperm donor?

No. Portuguese law requires anonymous sperm donation through licensed banks. If using a known donor is important to you, you would need to pursue treatment in a different country.

What if we want to switch roles for a second child?

Absolutely possible. Many couples plan this—Partner A provides eggs for the first child (Partner B carries), then Partner B provides eggs for the second (Partner A carries). You can even freeze embryos from both partners' eggs in advance.

What if one of us has fertility issues?

ROPA can accommodate various scenarios. If Partner A has good eggs but uterine issues, she provides eggs. If Partner B has uterine issues, consider Partner A for both roles or explore other options. Your clinic will help design the best approach for your specific situation.

Do both partners need to be in Porto for the entire treatment?

Ideally yes, but flexibility exists. Both partners should be present for the synchronization phase and key moments (retrieval, transfer). Some monitoring might be done remotely or in your home country.

Is ROPA more expensive than standard IVF?

Somewhat. It involves medical procedures for two people rather than one. However, the difference is typically €1,500-2,500 more than standard IVF—a modest premium for the shared experience.

Will my child know about their conception?

That's entirely your choice. Many same-sex families are open about donor conception and the ROPA process in age-appropriate ways. There are excellent resources for discussing conception with donor-conceived children.

Your ROPA Journey Starts Here

Reciprocal IVF offers something unique: a way for both of you to participate biologically in creating your family. Portugal makes this possible with clear laws, experienced clinics, and accessible costs.

Book a free consultation to discuss whether ROPA is right for you. We'll explain the process, answer your questions about logistics, and help you understand what your shared journey to parenthood could look like.

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Nestiva specializes in supporting LGBTQ+ families pursuing fertility treatment in Porto. We coordinate your clinic care, accommodation, and logistics so you can focus on each other and your growing family.