The ROPA method remains an in vitro fertilization/ICSI in all its aspects, with the same results.

One of the questions we’re often asked is who the baby will look like, whether it’s both or just the one that donates egg. The truth is that 50% of the baby’s genes will come from the woman who donates her egg, but we must also remember the effect of epigenetics, that is, how the uterine environment of the pregnant mother influences when some genes or others are expressed in the embryo, so both women are going to have an influence on their baby’s resemblance.

In this respect, because the ROPA method does not appear explicitly in the Assisted Human Reproduction Techniques Act. Although as a precautionary measure the centres have been applying the marriage requirement to keep the donation of gametes that occurs in these cases within the legal framework.

However, the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) considers that access to ROPA should not be conditioned by the marital status of the couple of women, since the law itself is explicit in prohibiting discrimination based on this circumstance. In addition to recalling the rights proclaimed by the LGTBIQ laws that support the equal treatment of homosexual couples with respect to heterosexual ones in the field of sexuality and reproduction.

No, it is currently not possible to use the eggs of both mothers in the same uterus.

Although the decision must be made by the couple, doctors will make an assessment based on the history of each one. It is necessary to study the possible presence of problems such as low ovarian reserve, absence of ovaries or uterus or some type of malformation. It is also generally recommended that the mother providing the eggs be under 35 years of age and that the pregnant mother be in good health.

It is not possible to choose the donor or know his identity, since by law the donation of gametes is anonymous. You will be able to know some physical characteristics such as eye color, hair, age, height, etc. We will choose a donor as much as the recipient. In the case of the ROPA Method, it is also selected taking into account the phenotypic features of the pregnant mother, since the other mother already provides her genetic material.

In Spain, there is no explicit restriction on the use of assisted reproduction techniques in private healthcare. The law that regulates this activity does not contemplate it. However, medical professionals have placed this limit in a consensual way in the 50 years.

Because age is a fundamental factor in the reproductive process and can involve complications in both the pregnant mother and the future baby. On this point, the law is explicit in stating that “assisted reproduction techniques shall be carried out only when there is a reasonable chance of success and do not pose a serious risk to the physical or mental health of women”.

No, at Next Fertility IMER we do not have a waiting list to start any of the Treatments we perform in our center, and we commit to perform the treatment on the date chosen by the patients.

Both in the ROPA method and in the rest of assisted reproduction treatments, the transfer of a single embryo is usually recommended to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancy, since multiple pregnancies are risky pregnancies, but even if a single embryo is transferred to the uterus, a twin pregnancy may occur, just as it may occur in a spontaneous pregnancy.

No, in Spain, as in the rest of Europe, the free selection of sex is not allowed by law; although it is true that there are techniques such as PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Test) that allow to know if the embryos in culture are male or female. However, although the choice is not allowed, there are some exceptions, in cases whose purpose is only to prevent the transmission of genetic diseases associated with sexual chromosomes. These exceptions are regulated in the Human Assisted Reproduction Act 14/2006, which also states that sex selection or genetic manipulation for non-therapeutic or unauthorized purposes is a very serious offence.

No, children born by these techniques have the same risks as the rest of the population.