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The IVF for female couples or ROPA method
The ROPA method is a great way to form a family with two mothers. Here we explain what it is and what the steps are.
- 1. What are the ways to have a child for female couples?
- 2. What is the ROPA method or IVF for female couples?
- 3. What is the ROPA process?
- 4. Who is the ROPA method for?
- 5. Frequently asked questions about the ROPA method for same-sex couples
- 5.1. How long does the entire ROPA method process take?
- 5.2. What is the success rate of the ROPA Method?
- 5.3. What are the requirements for the ROPA Method?
- 5.4. Is there any difference between ROPA and IVF?
- 5.5. How much does the ROPA method cost in Spain?
- 5.6. Is the ROPA Method legal in Spain?
- 5.7. Can embryos that are not transferred be preserved?
- 5.8. Predicting egg quality
- 5.9. Ask for a consultation
- 5.10. Testimonials
- 6. Our fertility treatments
- 7. Where can I find Vida Fertility centres in Spain?
What are the ways to have a child for female couples?
Many people and women’s couples wonder how they can have a baby. Thanks to progress and advances in technology, women’s couples now have the freedom and choice to have a child in the same way as heterosexual couples.
The possible ways to become a parent are as follows:
What is the ROPA method or IVF for female couples?
One of the most common techniques offered by our clinic is the ROPA method (Receipt of Oocytes from the Partner). The ROPA method is one of the assisted reproduction techniques for female couples who wish to have a child.
It is based on an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment which aims to take the oocytes of one of the two women and then fertilise them with the sperm of a donor. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus of the other partner. This technique allows both partners to participate equally in childbearing.
What is the ROPA process?
The ROPA treatment consists of several steps:
- Ovarian stimulation: with the daily injection of hormones that help the growth of several follicles, thus obtaining a good number of mature oocytes.
- In vitro fertilisation between oocytes and donor sperm.
- Transfer of the embryos obtained into the previously prepared uterus of the woman.
Approximately ten days later, an analysis is carried out to check whether the embryo has implanted and confirm a potential pregnancy. If more than one embryo is obtained, these can be cryopreserved for future pregnancies.
This technique differs from artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation with donor sperm where only one woman is involved.
Who is the ROPA method for?
More and more women in lesbian couples are now turning to the ROPA method and it is open to all women in couples who wish to participate in the assisted reproduction process together.
However, before doing a treatment, our medical team will have to check if this treatment is suitable for you, and if it is the protocol that will give you the best chance of success.
Before a ROPA treatment, we will need to check:
- The ovarian reserve of the woman wishing to donate her eggs.
- The endometrial response of the woman wishing to carry the child
Finally, for both of them, we will have to carry out general health examinations to check that there are no contraindications for a treatment and a pregnancy.
Me sentí desde el primer momento escuchada, comprendida y, sobre todo, sentí que mi tratamiento iba por fin en la dirección adecuada.
Tenía que poner una solución a mi maternidad si quería seguir con mi carrera y no conformarme con cualquier pareja. Elegí bien.
Es increíble como desde la más absoluta resignación, estos médicos me levantaron el ánimo. Consiguieron mi embarazo y me devolvieron mi Vida. Hacen honor a su nombre
Hola querida señora Ortega,
Usted y todo el equipo de Vida Fertility nos hacen muy felices. Por fin un alivio que nos puedan ayudar. Muchas gracias a usted y a todos los demás por la gran atención y el trabajo de calidad excepcional. La alta calidad significa mucho para nosotros. Esperamos que en 2024 podamos tener un bebé sano y lleno de amor en nuestros brazos.❤️
Gracias a la Dra. Spies, y gracias a seguir todos sus consejos, el mejor momento del tratamiento llegó: estaba embarazada.
No sabía si sería capaz de quedarme embarazada algún día y ahora, embarazada de 5 meses gracias a Vida Fertility.
Recomiendo Vida Fertility. Realmente están ahí para ti, para ayudarte, son muy humanos y, el mejor regalo que tuve: mi bebé.
Mi camino no fue fácil. Después del segundo intento, estoy feliz de decir que en dos meses conoceré a mi pequeñita.
Tanta dulzura, benevolencia y profesionalismo que me permitieron vivir el sueño de ser mamá.
Recomendamos encarecidamente Vida Fertility a todos aquellos que ya han perdido la esperanza y quieran volver a intentarlo por última vez.
Un inmenso agradecimiento a todo el equipo de Vida Fertility, y en especial a Sophie y a la Doctora Spies. Nos encontramos con un equipo muy competente, que supo guiarnos y aconsejarnos perfectamente sobre las decisiones médicas a tomar en cada etapa de nuestro recorrido.
El equipo de Vida estuvo siempre disponible, muy atento. Destacamos su presencia real a lo largo de nuestro viaje. Nos sentimos escuchados, comprendidos y apoyados durante todo el proceso. El embarazo va maravillosamente bien y estamos impacientes por abrazar a nuestro pequeño bebé. Queremos darles las gracias sinceramente por todo 🫶
Recomiendo «Vida Fertility» por su profesionalidad, equipo humano y disponibilidad.
¡El resultado fue un parto magnífico!
Gracias a todos
Gracias a Vida Fertility, hoy somos dos mamás.
Es el mejor regalo de todos, ¡somos tan felices!
Elegí Vida Fertility porque es una clínica que ofrece acompañamiento humano desde el principio. Estoy convencida de que mi estado de ánimo, tan influenciado por el apoyo incondicional que me dieron, fue clave para el éxito de mi tratamiento.
En la primera consulta me sentí comprendida y volví a sentir la esperanza que había perdido. La última transferencia, nuestra última oportunidad, tuvo lugar en febrero de 2024… y funcionó. Nuestra pequeña ha traído una inmensa alegría a toda nuestra familia.
Frequently asked questions about the ROPA method for same-sex couples
How long does the entire ROPA method process take?
Dr. Spies responds:
The duration can be adjusted according to how each patient reacts to the treatment and the clinic’s specific protocols.
The ROPA Method treatment at Vida Fertility usually lasts four to six weeks, beginning with the synchronisation of the two mothers and culminating in the embryo transfer.
What is the success rate of the ROPA Method?
Dr. Spies responds:
The rates are similar to conventional IVF, with variations depending on age and egg quality. At Vida Fertility, we have one of the best success rates in Europe.
- Under 35 years old: 62%
- 36 to 39 years old: 51%
- 40 to 43 years old: 43%
What are the requirements for the ROPA Method?
Dr. Spies responds:
To begin the ROPA method, the couple must meet certain basic requirements:
- Be of legal age
- Have full capacity to act voluntarily
- Give informed consent
- Not suffer from serious illnesses that could compromise the health of the mother or future baby.
In addition, it is essential that the woman who will provide the eggs has an adequate ovarian reserve, as this will determine the possibility of obtaining a sufficient number of good quality oocytes. If the ovarian reserve is low, the medical team may recommend alternatives or adjust the treatment to optimise results.
Another key aspect is the use of anonymous donor semen, as established by Spanish law. The selection of the donor is always carried out by the medical team, based on criteria of genetic, phenotypic and immunological compatibility, with the aim of guaranteeing the safety of the treatment and the health of the future baby.
As for the legal framework, Spanish legislation recognises the right to motherhood for all women, regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation. Since 2007, dual motherhood can be registered in the Civil Registry when the couple is married, and Law 4/2023 extends this recognition to unmarried couples as well, placing them on an equal footing with heterosexual couples.
Embryos generated in ROPA treatment legally belong to both women, so they can be transferred to either of them in subsequent cycles, unless there is a specific medical indication that limits this.
Is there any difference between ROPA and IVF?
Dr. Spies responds:
The main difference is that In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a commonly used assisted reproduction technique, while the ROPA method (Reception of Oocytes from Partner) is a variant designed specifically for female couples who wish to share motherhood.
In this treatment, one of the women provides the eggs, which are fertilised in the laboratory with donor sperm, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus of the other woman, who will carry the pregnancy. In this way, both women actively participate in the reproductive process.
How much does the ROPA method cost in Spain?
Dr. Spies responds:
The price of the ROPA method, also known as shared motherhood, can vary depending on the medical and personal characteristics of each couple. At Vida Fertility, we know that every story is different, which is why we tailor each treatment to the specific needs of our patients.
If you are considering undergoing the ROPA method at our fertility clinics in Madrid or Alicante, we invite you to arrange a free initial consultation with our medical team. At this appointment, we will carry out a full assessment and provide you with a personalised quote, with complete transparency and no surprises.
Is the ROPA Method legal in Spain?
Dr. Spies responds:
Yes, the ROPA Method is completely legal in Spain. The legislation on assisted reproduction allows this technique for women who are in a same-sex relationship and are legally married. Thanks to this regulation, both mothers can have legal recognition as mothers of the baby from the moment of pregnancy, which is not the case in all European countries.
Can embryos that are not transferred be preserved?
Dr. Spies responds:
Yes, of course. All viable embryos not transferred during treatment can be vitrified and preserved for future attempts or to expand the family later on. At Vida Fertility, we use advanced cryopreservation techniques that allow us to maintain the quality of the embryos intact.
Related articles about IVF for female couples in Spain:
Predicting egg quality
Vida Fertility implements VIOLET™, an artificial intelligence system trained on a large dataset of oocyte images, to predict oocyte quality and reproductive potential in an individualized, non-invasive manner before vitrification.
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Where can I find Vida Fertility centres in Spain?
📍 C/ Palermo 15, Hortaleza, 28043 Madrid
📞 Phone number: +34 919 29 83 23
🕒 Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm
📍 Av. Óscar Esplá 1, Bajo, 03008 Alicante
📞 Phone number: +34 919 29 83 23
🕒 Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm
ℹ️ The information published on Vida Fertility is reviewed by our fertility specialists and medical team, following up-to-date scientific criteria and evidence-based medicine. Our team is a member at scientific societies such as SEF, ESHRE and SEGO.