LGBT Family Building Helps Couples Create Families
LGBT family building begins with a consultation with our partner physicians or the couple’s own fertility specialist.
The highly trained fertility team of scientists and embryologists at Ovation, along with our associated partner physicians, has the expertise to help members of the LGBT community create their families and plan their futures, using a variety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) options.
From our partner physicians and staff to embryologists and scientists in the lab, every one of us at Ovation is committed to providing compassionate care and counseling during the couple’s journey to parenthood. We will be there every step of the way, from the evaluation phase, during which we help identify the best options for you, to the treatment and conception phase.
Fertility Options for Lesbians
As part of the LGBT community, lesbian women, whether single or part of a couple, have several fertility options. Some women may want to receive IUI (intrauterine insemination) to fertilize their eggs more naturally. Other women may find IVF (in vitro fertilization) is their best option, if certain specific infertility issues are discovered during their evaluation.
Some lesbian couples who come to Ovation Fertility for LGBT family-building consultation choose reciprocal IVF. This option means one partner donates her eggs, those eggs are fertilized with sperm from a known or anonymous donor, and then the embryo is inserted into the second partner’s uterus, enabling her to carry the pregnancy. This process allows both women to play an integral role in the establishment of pregnancy.
Choices for Gay Men
Single gay men and gay couples typically need to use donor eggs obtained from IVF, and a gestational carrier to build their families. First, sperm from one or both of the men is combined with donor eggs, which can come from a friend, family member or a known or anonymous egg donor. An embryo is then transferred into the uterus of a gestational carrier, or surrogate mother, who will then carry the pregnancy to delivery.
In some states, gay men may also choose one of the less-complicated LGBT family-building methods – IUI, or artificial insemination. This is an option if the woman who will carry their baby is also going to be their egg donor. When she is ready to ovulate, sperm obtained from the intended parents is placed into her uterus. Unlike in vitro fertilization, the egg is fertilized in the woman’s body, eliminating the need for a more costly IVF procedure.
Knowledgeable, Professional Ovation Team Dedicated to Process
Our staff understands that couples may have many questions regarding the process of LBGT family building. They can count on us to provide empathetic assistance every step of the way. Contact us to start your journey.