Reciprocal IVF Surgery in Thailand (Partner-Assisted Reproduction / Co-IVF)

Reciprocal IVF allows both partners in a same-sex female couple to play a direct biological role in building their family — one provides the eggs, the other carries the pregnancy. It is a deeply meaningful way to share the experience of conception and pregnancy, and Thailand's fertility clinics offer the procedure with world-class laboratory standards, experienced specialists, and compassionate care for LGBTQ+ families at a fraction of the cost charged in Western countries.

Procedure 3–4 weeks (full cycle)

Hospital Stay Day procedure (egg retrieval)

Recovery 1–2 days after retrieval (egg provider)

Minimum Stay 18–25 days

What Is Reciprocal IVF?

Reciprocal IVF allows both partners in a same-sex female couple to share a biological role — one provides the eggs, the other carries the pregnancy. Donor sperm is used for fertilisation, and the process follows the same clinical steps as standard IVF.

The egg provider undergoes ovarian stimulation and retrieval while the gestational carrier's uterine lining is prepared for embryo transfer. Cycles can be synchronised for a fresh transfer or managed as a freeze-all with a subsequent FET, allowing flexibility and optional genetic testing of embryos.

Common Concerns Reciprocal IVF Can Address

Same-sex female couple wanting both partners to have a biological connection to their child
One partner has better ovarian reserve but the other prefers to carry the pregnancy
Previously considered standard IVF with donor sperm but want a shared experience
One partner has a medical reason not to use her own eggs or not to carry a pregnancy

Are You a Good Candidate?

Both partners in good general health and within treatable age range
The egg provider has adequate ovarian reserve (confirmed by AMH and antral follicle count)
The gestational carrier has a healthy uterus (confirmed by ultrasound or hysteroscopy)
Both partners able to commit to a 3–4 week stay in Thailand

Techniques & Options

Reciprocal IVF involves two parallel treatment tracks — one for the egg provider and one for the gestational carrier — that must be carefully synchronised. Your fertility specialist will design a protocol that coordinates both partners' cycles so that the embryo transfer happens at the optimal time for implantation.

The two main approaches to cycle synchronisation are:

Synchronised Fresh Transfer

Both partners' cycles are coordinated so that the egg provider's ovarian stimulation and the gestational carrier's endometrial preparation happen simultaneously. After egg retrieval and fertilisation, a fresh embryo is transferred to the carrier's prepared uterus within 3–5 days. This approach requires both partners to be in Thailand for the full cycle and involves precise hormonal coordination.

Both partners actively involved at the same time
Single trip to Thailand covers the entire cycle
Requires careful synchronisation of both cycles

Freeze-All with Subsequent FET

The egg provider undergoes stimulation and egg retrieval first. All resulting embryos are frozen (vitrified). The gestational carrier then undergoes endometrial preparation and a frozen embryo transfer in a separate cycle — either during the same trip or on a return visit. This approach simplifies scheduling and allows time for PGT-A genetic testing if desired.

More flexible scheduling for both partners
Allows PGT-A genetic testing before transfer
The gestational carrier can prepare without time pressure

Recovery Timeline

Days 1–10 (Egg Provider)

Ovarian stimulation begins with daily injections. Monitoring appointments every 2–3 days track follicle development with ultrasound and blood tests. Simultaneously, the gestational carrier begins endometrial preparation with oestrogen medication (if doing a synchronised fresh transfer).

Day 10–14 (Egg Retrieval)

Once follicles are mature, the egg provider receives a trigger injection and egg retrieval is performed 34–36 hours later under light sedation. The procedure takes 15–20 minutes. Donor sperm is used to fertilise the eggs via conventional IVF or ICSI. The egg provider rests for the remainder of the day.

Days 14–19 (Embryo Culture)

Embryos are cultured in the laboratory for 3–5 days. The embryology team provides updates on fertilisation rates and embryo development. If a freeze-all approach is used, embryos are vitrified at the blastocyst stage. If a fresh transfer is planned, the gestational carrier's endometrial lining is confirmed to be at target thickness.

Day 17–21 (Embryo Transfer)

The best embryo is transferred to the gestational carrier's uterus — a painless procedure taking about 10 minutes with no sedation. A thin catheter is guided through the cervix under ultrasound. The carrier rests briefly and returns to the hotel. A pregnancy blood test is taken 10–12 days later.

What to Expect

Shared Journey Both partners biologically connected to your child

40–55% Pregnancy rate per transfer (under 35)

Experienced Teams Clinics skilled in LGBTQ+ family building

Safety & Risks

Reciprocal IVF carries the same risks as standard IVF, with considerations for both the egg provider (relating to ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval) and the gestational carrier (relating to embryo transfer and pregnancy).

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in the egg provider
Mild bloating or discomfort during stimulation (egg provider)
Multiple pregnancy (if more than one embryo is transferred)

No guarantee of pregnancy per cycle
Emotional and psychological stress for both partners
Cycle synchronisation challenges may require schedule adjustments

Your specialist will assess both partners individually and tailor treatment to minimise risks. Thai clinics follow international guidelines on single embryo transfer to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy. Open communication between both partners and the clinical team is encouraged throughout the process.

How Much Does Reciprocal IVF Cost in Thailand?

Our pricing is transparent and all-inclusive — your quote covers treatment for both partners from consultations to embryo transfer.

Reciprocal IVF

All-inclusive Reciprocal IVF cycle

From $6,000

Fertility specialist consultations
Ovarian stimulation & monitoring
Egg retrieval under sedation

Embryo culture & laboratory fees
Embryo transfer to carrying partner
Dedicated care coordinator

Add Accommodation Package

Hotel, breakfast, airport transfers & 24/7 support

From $89 / night

Affordable suites on Sukhumvit Soi 23, a short ride from leading fertility clinics. Rooms include a kitchenette, daily breakfast, and access to the pool and fitness centre — a comfortable, budget-friendly base during your treatment.

A well-appointed serviced residence in the heart of Sukhumvit with full kitchen, washer-dryer, pool and gym. Ideal for patients on longer treatment cycles who want a home-away-from-home feel with hotel-level service.

A luxury hotel close to the clinic district, known for impeccable Japanese-standard service. Spacious rooms, an acclaimed spa, and 24-hour room service — the premium choice for a stress-free stay during treatment.

Common Questions About Reciprocal IVF

Everything you need to know before your procedure

A full reciprocal IVF cycle typically requires 3–4 weeks if both partners' cycles are synchronised for a fresh transfer. If using a freeze-all approach, the egg provider needs approximately 2 weeks for stimulation and retrieval, and the gestational carrier returns separately for a 7–10 day frozen embryo transfer cycle.

One partner provides the eggs (the egg provider) and the other carries the pregnancy (the gestational carrier). The egg provider undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, the eggs are fertilised with donor sperm, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the gestational carrier's uterus. Both partners have a direct biological role in the creation of your child.

For a synchronised fresh transfer, both partners should plan to be in Thailand for the full 3–4 weeks. For a freeze-all approach, the egg provider needs to be present for approximately 2 weeks for stimulation and retrieval. The gestational carrier can return separately for the frozen embryo transfer (7–10 days), or both can stay for the full cycle if embryos are transferred fresh.

This is a personal decision for you and your partner, often guided by medical factors. Your specialist will assess both partners' ovarian reserve (AMH, antral follicle count) and uterine health to advise on the optimal arrangement. Typically, the partner with better ovarian reserve provides the eggs, and the partner with a healthy uterus carries the pregnancy — but preferences and personal wishes are equally important.

Donor sperm is required for reciprocal IVF. Thai fertility clinics have access to reputable international sperm banks with thoroughly screened donors. You can choose a donor based on physical characteristics, ethnicity, education, and other criteria. Your coordinator will guide you through donor selection and all legal requirements.

Success rates are equivalent to standard IVF — typically 40–55% clinical pregnancy rate per transfer for patients under 35, depending on egg quality and embryo development. The fact that different partners provide the egg and carry the pregnancy does not affect the success rate.

Yes. PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy) can be performed to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. This is often combined with a freeze-all approach, where embryos are biopsied, frozen, and then a genetically normal embryo is transferred in a subsequent FET cycle.

Thailand's fertility regulations are evolving. Your coordinator will provide up-to-date guidance on the legal framework and ensure that your treatment complies with current Thai regulations. We recommend discussing legal considerations during your initial consultation so that you can make fully informed decisions.

Our reciprocal IVF pricing includes consultations for both partners, ovarian stimulation and monitoring for the egg provider, egg retrieval under sedation, embryo culture and laboratory fees, endometrial preparation for the gestational carrier, and embryo transfer. Donor sperm, medication, genetic testing, and embryo freezing are quoted separately. Your coordinator will provide a complete breakdown.

In reciprocal IVF, one partner donates her eggs to the other — making it a shared biological experience within the couple. In traditional egg donation, eggs come from an anonymous or known third-party donor. The clinical process is similar, but the emotional and relational significance of reciprocal IVF is unique: one partner is the genetic mother and the other is the birth mother.

In theory, yes — if enough embryos are produced, it is possible for each partner to carry an embryo simultaneously or sequentially. However, this is a complex arrangement with additional medical, emotional, and logistical considerations. Your specialist will discuss whether this is feasible and advisable in your specific situation.

Dr. Natthida Chaisiri

MEDICALLY REVIEWED

Dr. Natthida Chaisiri

MEDICALLY REVIEWED

Fertility Specialist · Bangkok

Last reviewed: February 18, 2026

Medical References

What's Included

Fertility specialist consultations
Ovarian stimulation & monitoring
Egg retrieval under sedation
Embryo culture & laboratory fees
Embryo transfer to carrying partner
Dedicated care coordinator

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Reciprocal IVF in Thailand

What Is Reciprocal IVF?