How much does it cost to put my egg in my girlfriend?
The cost of reciprocal in vitro fertilization (IVF), where one woman supplies her eggs to be fertilized and then implanted in her partner, can range from $15,000 to $30,000 per cycle, depending on the fertility clinic and the patient’s individual medication needs. This process, also known as partner IVF or co-IVF, allows both women to participate in the pregnancy, with one woman acting as the egg donor and the other as the gestational carrier.
Understanding the Cost of Reciprocal IVF
The cost of reciprocal IVF is significant, and it’s essential to understand the various factors that contribute to the overall expense. The cost of IVF medications can account for up to 35% of the total charges, and additional services like genetic testing and surgical procedures can increase the cost by thousands of dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I give my eggs to my girlfriend?
Yes, reciprocal IVF allows one woman to supply her eggs to be fertilized and then implanted in her partner, enabling both women to participate in the pregnancy.
2. How much does it cost to get an egg fertilized in a woman?
A single IVF cycle can range from $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the center and the patient’s individual medication needs.
3. Can you do IVF just for gender selection?
Yes, IVF can be used for gender selection, but it’s a matter of debate, and some insurance companies may not cover the costs.
4. How much does it cost to choose a gender?
The average cost of gender selection is around $4,500 on top of the cost of IVF, which can range from $15,000 to $30,000.
5. Does insurance cover gender selection?
Most insurance companies will not cover the sperm microsorting costs of gender selection.
6. How long does IVF take to get pregnant?
The IVF cycle itself takes around 4 weeks, but the full process can take up to 4 months from the initial consultation to the first beta hCG test.
7. Can you buy a fertile egg?
Yes, fertile eggs can be purchased for hatching or incubation, but the process of buying human eggs for IVF is more complex and regulated.
8. Why is IVF so expensive?
IVF is expensive due to the cost of medications, genetic testing, and surgical procedures, as well as the need for multiple cycles.
9. Will my donor egg baby love me?
Research shows that there’s essentially no difference in the bond between donor egg parents and biological parents and their newborn babies.
10. Do IVF babies look like their parents?
IVF babies can inherit physical features and personality traits from their genetic parents, even if they are born through donor eggs.
11. Is it painful to get an egg retrieval?
The egg retrieval procedure is typically painless due to anesthesia, but patients may experience abdominal cramping for a day or two after the procedure.
12. What is cheaper than IVF?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a less expensive and less invasive alternative to IVF, but it has lower success rates.
13. How does anyone afford IVF?
Many people afford IVF through insurance coverage, fertility grants, and financial packages offered by fertility clinics.
14. Is IVF going to be free?
IVF is only free or low-cost in some cases, such as when it’s covered by insurance or through fertility grants.
15. How many eggs do you need to be fertile?
A woman only needs one healthy egg to get pregnant, but the quality and quantity of eggs can affect fertility.