Assisted reproductive technology is an incredible science, that is changing lives for men and women across the globe
Since the pioneering birth of Louise Brown in 1978, ART has brought the gift of life to those who in previous years would never have been able to achieve their dreams of parenthood – not only the men and women struggling with infertility, but for the LQBTQ community too.
One of the reproductive methods that is revolutionising the lives of female couples, is the ROPA method. This reciprocal IVF, otherwise referred to as Shared Motherhood is a treatment in which a female couple can share motherhood not only in terms of love and responsibilities, but also from the way the baby is conceived and grown. The ROPA method means that one woman contributes the egg, and the other will carry the pregnancy and give birth.
How does it work?
To begin this incredible process, the doctor will run key tests to ensure that both women (the woman donating the egg and the woman carrying the pregnancy) are healthy and fertility fit to proceed.
This involves and a vaginal ultrasound scan for the recipient to ensure that the ovaries and the uterine cavity look good, as well as a hormonal and general blood test.
The woman donating the egg will have hormonal blood tests and the all important antral follicle count test. This test is used to predict the number of eggs that may be produced during each cycle, and can be of use to determine medication dosages.
There is also the option of having a genetic compatibility test to ensure that the “donor” female partner and the sperm donor are genetically compatible.
Once the tests are completed, assessed and confirmed, the treatments can start
The woman donating her egg will begin the process as she would if she were having a full cycle of IVF – with ovarian stimulation, however her actual treatment ends with the egg retrieval.
The process involves injecting medication that stimulates the ovaries to create as many follicles as possible.
The doctor continues to monitor the ovaries throughout the treatment, doing scans and bloodwork every few days. They’ll assess the number and size of the follicles growing in the ovaries. Depending on the progress, the doctor may increase or decrease dosages. Once there is at least one follicle between 16 to 18 mm in size, they may want to start seeing the patient every day. Finally, they will schedule your egg retrieval.
Whilst the woman undergoes ovarian stimulation, her partner will take medication (estrogen pills and progesterone pessaries)to prepare her endometrium for the transfer. Transfer happens 5 days after egg retrieval.
At the end of the stimulation, the eggs will be retrieved (the patient will be under sedation, taking around 20 minutes).The doctor uses a transvaginal ultrasound to see the inside of the ovaries and then guide a needle to the correct place to gently ‘aspirate’ (suck gently) the follicle fluid up into the syringe.
Once the eggs are retrieved, they will be fertilised using a donor’s sperm and the embryo is transferred to the recipient woman.
To have a baby born from the genetics of one of the mothers but grown and birthed by the other mother It is a beautiful way for two loving women to have a family.
Managing the cost of ROPA treatment
As we all know so well by now, IVF is expensive, and there is no guarantee that it will work the first time around. This is why it might be of interest to you to explore a “live birth ROPA refund programme”.
We turned to the team at Redia IVF to explain in more detail:
“A live birth refund programme, means that it doesn’t end until you have your baby at home (not just a positive pregnancy result).
“We work only with the world’s best IVF clinics in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. ROPA is available in most countries and clinics that we work with. You can choose the one that you prefer, and if for some reason you are not happy with your choice, you can change clinics at the right time. All financial risk is on us; we carefully select our partner fertility clinics based on the best success rates, highest quality standards and exceptional patient experience. We are pretty positive that you’ll have your baby; otherwise, your money is back.
“After deciding on your clinic, you will receive a contract from us in which we specify everything, from the administrative to the financial point of view. Then, we will discuss it, and we will solve all your doubts.
Once the contract is signed and the payment policy is clear, you’ll start your treatment in your clinic of choice.
What does the ROPA Refund Programme include?
“There are up to 3 stimulation cycles of the “donor” partner in the refund scheme, including embryo freezing and storage costs and unlimited frozen embryo transfers. Sperm donation is included in some fertility clinics.
“Prescribed fertility medication is included in most cases, both for the “recipient” and the “donor” partners. Did you know that the medication cost is almost 30-35% of the total price? That means that you often end up paying much more than what you had planned. With Redia IVF, that is covered.
“The price is fixed; no more financial darkness. The amounts you see in the contract are the amounts you need to take care of. We are transparent and clear and always at your disposal to clarify all doubts.
“We offer a 100% Refund Guarantee if there is no baby birth once the complete programme is finalised. It means that we will reimburse your money if you don’t have your baby at home after all trials and carefully studied medical protocols. Life circumstances can be challenging; there is no need to add financial burdens”.
If you would like more information about the ROPA method and the ROPA Refund Programme, click here
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