Partner-assisted reproduction, reception of oocytes from partner (ROPA), reciprocal IVF, shared motherhood, partner IVF or co-IVF is a method of family building that is used by couples who both possess female reproductive organs. The method uses in vitro fertilization (IVF), a method that means eggs are removed from the ovaries, fertilized in a laboratory, and then one or more of the resulting embryos are placed in the uterus to hopefully create a pregnancy. Reciprocal IVF differs from standard IVF in that two partners are involved: the eggs are taken from one partner, and the other partner carries the pregnancy.[1] In this way, the process is mechanically identical to IVF with egg donation.[2][3] Reciprocal IVF offers the highest chance for pregnancy and a lower chance of a multiple births.[citation needed]
This process was first introduced in Spain in 2007 at the CEFER institute.[3]