title: Female Couples Undergoing IVF with Partner Eggs (Co-IVF): Pathways to Parenthood.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Egg sharing in female couples can be used to allow dual participation of female couples in the pregnancy process. The oocyte donor-partner provides the eggs and the recipient partner provides the uterine environment for gestation. We present descriptive data of our experience in female couples to establish a better understanding of utilization of co-in vitro fertilization (Co-IVF) for social and medical reasons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female couples enrolled in a third party reproduction program that engaged in at least one Co-IVF cycle were included. Previous assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle data, Co-IVF cycle information and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Female couples (n=21) who participated in Co-IVF cycles were analyzed. Over time, 16/21 (76%) of couples achieved at least one pregnancy, 9 (42%) couples delivered, and there are another 5 (23%) ongoing pregnancies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our analysis presents descriptive data and sheds realistic expectations for Co-IVF couples. Co-IVF cycles can result in a shared experience with regard to the process of creating a family, while preserving a female couple's desire for dual partner participation in the gestational process. We encourage centers treating female couples to consider departing from traditional nomenclature of "donors" and "recipients" and adopting the nomenclature "Co-IVF" to describe the modern understanding of the shared experience. Even if female couples have experienced prior unsuccessful cycles, couples ultimately retain an excellent prognosis for reproductive success using Co-IVF.
authors.affiliation: 1 Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Arielle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yeshua
authors.affiliation: 1 Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: 1 Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York , New York, New York.|2 Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Mount Sinai School of Medicine , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Witkin
authors.affiliation: 1 Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York , New York, New York.|2 Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Mount Sinai School of Medicine , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Copperman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: genetic and child and adolescent development; lesbian; mental health needs; public policy and advocacy; sexual orientation; sexual/gender minorities and parenting