ROPA Method (Reciprocal IVF) in Colombia
The ROPA method (Reception of Oocytes from Partner) allows both women in a couple to participate biologically in bringing their child into the world: one partner provides the genetic eggs, while the other carries the pregnancy in her womb.
Medical Criteria & Advantages
Indications and unique benefits of reciprocal IVF
When is the ROPA Method Indicated?
- Married or committed female couples who wish to experience motherhood together.
- When one partner has low ovarian reserve or poor oocyte quality, but has an intact, receptive uterus for pregnancy.
- When one partner has severe uterine factors (fibroids, Asherman syndrome) but healthy, responsive ovaries.
- When medical conditions advise against gestation for one partner, while the other can safely carry the pregnancy.
- Cases where personal preference determines that one mother provides the genetics and the other carries the baby.
Key Advantages of ROPA
- Dual biological and gestational participation: both mothers share the creation and birth of their baby.
- Equal emotional and legal connection under progressive, supportive reproductive frameworks.
- Use of premium, certified donor sperm with comprehensive genetic and infectious disease screening.
- Opportunity to utilize surplus embryos for future reciprocal transfers if the other partner later wishes to carry.
Stages of the ROPA Treatment
The journey to shared motherhood guided by ReproFértil specialists
Consultation and Assessment of Both Partners
Comprehensive clinical, gynecological, and ultrasound evaluation of both partners to determine which partner will act as the genetic mother (providing eggs) and who will be the gestational mother (carrying pregnancy).
Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (Genetic Mother)
The genetic mother receives tailored hormonal stimulation for 10 to 12 days to promote the synchronous growth of multiple follicles, tracked with frequent ultrasound scans.
Egg Retrieval and Donor Sperm Preparation
A brief 20-minute ultrasound-guided procedure under mild sedation retrieves mature oocytes. Simultaneously, an anonymous screened donor sperm sample is prepared in our laboratory.
In Vitro Fertilization & Blastocyst Culture
Eggs are fertilized using ICSI in our embryology laboratory. Embryos are cultured in tri-gas benchtop incubators until reaching the Day 5/6 blastocyst stage.
Endometrial Preparation (Gestational Mother)
The gestational mother receives oral or transdermal estrogens and progesterone to prepare a receptive, trilaminar uterine lining for optimal embryo implantation.
Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy Test
The highest-graded embryo is transferred into the gestational mother’s uterus in a simple, painless 15-minute procedure. A quantitative Beta-hCG blood test is performed 11 days later.