San Francisco Reciprocal IVF

The San Francisco Bay Area boasts several renowned clinics known for their expertise in Reciprocal IVF and LGBTQ+ family building, including the Bay IVF Fertility Clinic.

Reciprocal IVF in the San Francisco Bay Area

We take pride in being one of the pioneering fertility clinics in Northern California to offer Reciprocal IVF to lesbian partners.

In Reciprocal IVF, one partner provides the eggs, which are fertilized with donor sperm, and the resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus of the other partner who carries the pregnancy. This shared reproductive experience fosters a deep emotional connection between both partners throughout the entire journey to parenthood.

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Services Covered in the San Francisco Bay Area Reciprocal IVF Fee

Included

All in-cycle Clinic visits, physician ultrasound examinations, hormonal assays, and physician clinical monitoring necessary for IVF ovarian stimulation
Preparation of semen sample(s)
Egg retrieval procedure, including analgesia and use of the procedure room
Oocyte identification from follicular fluid
Fertilization of eggs
Embryo coculture with granulosa cells, including an extended culture of embryos.
Cryopreservation of all normally developing embryos

Please note that the Reciprocal IVF fee does not cover treatment medications (charged by a pharmacy), pre-treatment screening evaluation, laboratory testing required by the State of California and FDA, and subsequent Frozen Embryo Transfer procedure(s).

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Multiple Reciprocal IVF Cycles

More than one cycle of Reciprocal IVF can maximize the number of frozen embryos.

At Bay IVF, we understand that fertility treatments represent a significant investment toward your family’s future.

As part of our commitment to you, we are dedicated to providing pricing transparency.

San Francisco Bay Area: Reciprocal IVF Treatment Process

1 — Ovarian stimulation (Genetic Mother)

Your treatment is always individualized to maximize the probability of a successful outcome. You will receive your personalized ovarian stimulation calendar

2 — Egg retrieval procedure

The egg retrieval procedure is performed at our Clinic. The procedure only takes a few minutes, and we use very comfortable conscious sedation for analgesia

4 — Culture of embryos

Evidence of fertilization can be seen the next day, approximately 16 hours after insemination. The fertilized eggs are then transferred into a growth medium and continue to be cultured in our laboratory

3 — Fertilization of eggs

On average, eight to fourteen eggs are retrieved during the egg retrieval procedure. Once identified, the eggs are combined with sperm and placed in petri dishes filled with culture medium

5 — Embryo cryopreservation

All normally developing embryos are cryopreserved (vitrified)

6 —Embryo storage in liquid nitrogen

Following the cryopreservation process, the embryos are transferred to a liquid nitrogen storage chamber in our Clinic. Theoretically, there is no limit on the length of storage

7 — Subsequent Frozen Embryo Transfer (Birth Mother)

When you decide to conceive using your cryopreserved embryos, one or two embryos will be thawed and transferred into your uterus

San Francisco Bay Area: Prerequisites for Reciprocal IVF

Only a few treatment prerequisites are needed before the start of your treatment. They assess the egg and sperm quality and ensure that embryos can be accurately placed in a healthy uterus.

The probability of a successful IVF treatment becomes exceedingly low by age 44. You must be 43 and 11 months or younger at the time your IVF treatment begins. Patients who are 44 and older should strongly consider Donor Egg IVF as the most effective treatment option to achieve a successful pregnancy.

Your BMI must be no greater than 31 for an adequate ovarian response and safety during the egg retrieval procedure. If your BMI is higher, please follow the IVF Diet and Lifestyle (PDF) recommendations as closely as possible. By doing so, you can achieve weight loss at an optimal rate, which could significantly improve your chances of a successful pregnancy.

This testing is required by the State of California. You and your partner must be tested for Hepatitis B-Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C-Antibody, HIV I&II, and RPR.

ORA assesses the likelihood of producing normal-quality eggs. It involves measuring Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), estradiol (estrogen, E2), and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) blood levels.

These test results are used to optimize ovarian stimulation.

The number of antral follicles (small fluid-filled sacs within the ovaries seen on ultrasound) in unstimulated ovaries is related to the quality of the eggs. Ideally, there should be approximately 20 antral follicles in both ovaries combined.

It is important to determine the length of the uterus in order to ensure the correct placement of embryos.

A saline ultrasound is utilized to rule out the presence of intrauterine polyps or fibroids.

All prospective parents should consider genetic screening for hundreds of the most common genetic diseases. Please inform us during your initial appointment at Bay IVF if you would like to have your blood sample sent for genetic screening.

Environmental factors have a significant impact on reproductive health. Please review the IVF Diet and Lifestyle document (PDF) for a comprehensive list of environmental reproductive health recommendations and a source for dietary supplements.

Reciprocal IVF for LGBTQ+ Families in the San Francisco Bay Area

In the San Francisco Bay Area, known for its progressive attitudes and LGBTQ+ inclusivity, several fertility clinics offer reciprocal IVF services tailored to the unique needs of LGBT individuals.

The benefits of reciprocal IVF in the San Francisco Bay Area are similar to other geographical areas:

Shared parental experience: Both partners can be biologically connected to the child.

Emotional connection: The process fosters a deep emotional bond between partners.

Planning for future pregnancies: Partners can switch roles for future children.

Cost: Reciprocal IVF in the San Francisco Bay Area can be expensive. Fertility clinics typically offer consultations to discuss fees and financing options.

Legal considerations: Consulting with an attorney specializing in LGBTQ+ family law is recommended to establish reciprocal IVF offspring parental rights.

Support network: Building a support network of friends, family, or LGBTQ+ fertility communities can be invaluable in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Consultation: Schedule consultations with different San Francisco Bay Area LGBT+ fertility clinics to find one that aligns with your needs and preferences.

Experience: Inquire about the clinic’s experience with LGBTQ+ patients and reciprocal IVF.

Inclusivity: Choose a San Francisco Bay Area fertility clinic that fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment.

If you’re considering reciprocal IVF in the San Francisco Bay Area, here are some recommended steps:

Schedule consultations: Meet with fertility specialists at different reciprocal IVF fertility clinics to discuss your goals and get a feel for their approach.

Research costs: Reciprocal IVF in the San Francisco Bay Area can be expensive. Understand the cost breakdown and explore financing options of different fertility clinics.

Legal considerations: Consult an attorney specializing in LGBTQ+ family law to discuss legal parenthood agreements. It is important for couples considering reciprocal IVF to consult with a legal professional who specializes in LGBT family law to ensure that their parental rights are protected.

Single Parent Families and LGBTQ+

We are proud to be the fertility clinic providing IVF for single parents and LGBTQ+

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FAQ — Find Answers to Your Queries

Here are some of the most commonly asked fertility-related questions. A more comprehensive FAQ selection is available on the FAQ page.

Most patients should expect minimal, if any, side effects from the medications used in In Vitro Fertilization. You should be able to continue with your everyday activities during the treatment.

It typically takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the start of your treatment to the egg retrieval and embryo transfer.

Your egg retrieval should be a very comfortable experience as we use effective pain and relaxation medications. Most patients will sleep through the 5-10 minute egg retrieval procedure. Some may experience mild menstrual-like cramping.

n the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) procedure, a single sperm is directly inserted into the center of an egg. ICSI has been widely used since 1993, and approximately 2 million babies have been born worldwide without significant side effects through the use of ICSI.

You may consider adding Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to your In Vitro Fertilization or Donor Egg IVF treatment. If you choose to do so, it eliminates the need for amniocentesis. While adding PGT to these treatments has not been proven to improve the chances of a successful outcome consistently, it can help reduce the risk of miscarriage.

We adhere to the recommendation of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine that most patients should consider transferring only one or two embryos. While we will always provide guidance, the ultimate decision of whether to transfer one or two embryos will be up to you.

From a conception standpoint, it is not recommended to rest immediately after embryo transfer. Recent studies have shown that remaining active and moving around after the transfer can increase the probability of implantation. Therefore, it is advised to start moving around immediately after your transfer.

Yes! We take pride in being one of the first fertility clinics in Northern California to offer In Vitro Fertilization services for lesbian partners. Our clinic is LGBTQ+ friendly and experienced in both lesbian IVF and Reciprocal IVF.

Meet Your Doctor

Dr. Polansky received his medical diploma from Charles University in Prague, the Czech Republic, in 1978.
After completing his OB/GYN residency at Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, MO, he graduated from the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) fellowship at Stanford University in 1985.
In the same year, he co-founded the Stanford IVF Clinic.
Dr. Polansky obtained board certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1986 and became REI subspecialty board certified in 1988.
In 1987, he left Stanford University and established Nova IVF.
In 2011, he founded Bay IVF, where he provides advanced fertility treatments with a holistic approach, utilizing state-of-the-art techniques.
Dr. Polansky personally performs ultrasound examinations, egg retrievals, embryo transfers, and ovarian and endometrial stimulations for his patients.
He is deeply committed to his patients and is always ready to lend a helping hand.

Frank Polansky, M.D.

Initial Appointment Questions

When you call to schedule your consultation, one of our Front Office Coordinators will ask you a short series of questions regarding your reproductive history.

Your name
Your date of birth
Your height
Your weight
Do you know which treatment you plan to have?
How many times have you been pregnant?
For each of your pregnancies, what was the conception date? (month and year)
What was the outcome?
Were the pregnancies with your current partner?
If known, what is the cause of your infertility?
What is your average cycle length? (number of days between onsets of your periods)
Are you currently taking any medications? If yes, which ones?
Are you allergic to any medications? If yes, which ones?
Your partner’s name (if applicable)
Your partner’s date of birth (if applicable)
What is the length of your relationship with your current partner? (years and months)
When was the last time either of you used any contraception?
Is the male partner currently taking any medications? If yes, which ones?
Is the male partner allergic to any medications? If yes, which ones?
What is the total number of pregnancies the male partner has ever caused?
Has the male partner ever caused a pregnancy without the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) procedure?
Has the male partner had a vasectomy or vasectomy reversal?
If available, for each Semen Analysis, please give the date (day, month, and year), volume, concentration (sperm count), percentage of motile sperm, and percentage of morphologically normal sperm.
Have you ever had any treatment for, or problems with, your lungs, heart, blood and blood vessels, breasts, digestive system, genito-urinary system, thyroid disease, diabetes, or neurological disorder? (female partner only)
For each X-ray of your uterus and Fallopian tubes (hysterosalpingogram), laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, or laparotomy, please give the procedure date (day, month, and year) and the findings.
If available, for each FSH, LH, estradiol (estrogen, E2), and AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) test you have had, please give the date of the test (day, month, and year) and the result.
Have you done any intrauterine inseminations (IUI)? If yes, how many?
Have you had ovarian stimulation with injectable medications?
For each IVF treatment you have had, please provide the following information if available: Date (month and year), the dose of medications to stimulate your ovaries, your highest estrogen level, number of ovarian follicles that developed, number of eggs retrieved, whether ICSI was done, number of embryos available, number of embryos transferred, number of embryos frozen, and the treatment outcome.
Have you ever smoked cigarettes? If yes, how many cigarettes a day during the last three months? (Please remember that you must not smoke during your treatment.)

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This is Erica

She will be providing you with exceptional support throughout your treatment journey at Bay IVF.

Listen to a typical conversation between Erica and a new patient.

Your name
Your date of birth
Your height
Your weight
Do you know which treatment you plan to have?
How many times have you been pregnant?
For each of your pregnancies, what was the conception date? (month and year)
What was the outcome?
Were the pregnancies with your current partner?
If known, what is the cause of your infertility?
What is your average cycle length? (number of days between onsets of your periods)
Are you currently taking any medications? If yes, which ones?
Are you allergic to any medications? If yes, which ones?
Your partner’s name (if applicable)
Your partner’s date of birth (if applicable)
What is the length of your relationship with your current partner? (years and months)
When was the last time either of you used any contraception?
Is the male partner currently taking any medications? If yes, which ones?
Is the male partner allergic to any medications? If yes, which ones?
What is the total number of pregnancies the male partner has ever caused?
Has the male partner ever caused a pregnancy without the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) procedure?
Has the male partner had a vasectomy or vasectomy reversal?
If available, for each Semen Analysis, please give the date (day, month, and year), volume, concentration (sperm count), percentage of motile sperm, and percentage of morphologically normal sperm.
Have you ever had any treatment for, or problems with, your lungs, heart, blood and blood vessels, breasts, digestive system, genito-urinary system, thyroid disease, diabetes, or neurological disorder? (female partner only)
For each X-ray of your uterus and Fallopian tubes (hysterosalpingogram), laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, or laparotomy, please give the procedure date (day, month, and year) and the findings.
If available, for each FSH, LH, estradiol (estrogen, E2), and AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) test you have had, please give the date of the test (day, month, and year) and the result.
Have you done any intrauterine inseminations (IUI)? If yes, how many?
Have you had ovarian stimulation with injectable medications?
For each IVF treatment you have had, please provide the following information if available: Date (month and year), the dose of medications to stimulate your ovaries, your highest estrogen level, number of ovarian follicles that developed, number of eggs retrieved, whether ICSI was done, number of embryos available, number of embryos transferred, number of embryos frozen, and the treatment outcome.
Have you ever smoked cigarettes? If yes, how many cigarettes a day during the last three months? (Please remember that you must not smoke during your treatment.)

See All

Or Download a PDF

This is Nisha

Your invaluable resource for effortlessly managing your appointments at Bay IVF.

Listen to a typical conversation between Nisha and a new patient.

Your Initial Visit at Bay IVF

Attending a new patient appointment at a fertility clinic can be stressful. Our primary objective is to ensure that your initial visit is friendly and relaxing. We encourage you to ask questions at every step of the process.

1 — When You Arrive

You will be welcomed by one of the clinic receptionists. One of our nurses will measure your height and weight and take your blood pressure

2 — Meet Your Doctor

Dr. Polansky will ask you a series of clarifying questions and then provide you with a summary of the factors contributing to your infertility

4 — Exam Room

One of the nurses will escort you to an examination room. Your examination will begin with listening to your lungs and heart

3 — Ask Your Questions

You will then have a discussion with him about the most suitable reproductive treatment(s) for you. During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have

5 — Ultrasound of the Ovaries

The next step is a pelvic ultrasound to examine the uterus and ovaries. This ultrasound will help determine the number of antral follicles present within the ovaries

6 — Financial Part

Following that, you will have a discussion with one of the financial advisors regarding the financial aspects of your treatment, including potential treatment financing options

8 — Support 24/7

If you have any questions after leaving the clinic, please feel free to reach out to us via phone call, text, or email. Open and discreet communication is an integral part of the care we provide at Bay IVF