You bring the love, we’ll take care of the rest.
For people in the LGBTQIA+ community, the process of becoming a parent can be more complex and challenging than others. Luckily, there are several treatment options that can help make your family dreams come true.
No matter how you identify, SpringCreek Fertility’s doors are wide open for you if you want to start a family. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in the summer of 2022, about 7% of Americans identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual. In other words, at least 23 million Americans and counting.
Third Party Collaborative Reproduction for LGBTQIA+ Patients
SpringCreek Fertility offers a full array of options for same-sex couples. Third party collaborative reproduction can consist of:
Common Treatment Options for Female Patients and Couples
- Reciprocal In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- IVF with Donor Sperm
- Embryo Transfer with Donor Embryo
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Reciprocal IVF
With reciprocal in vitro fertilization (IVF), one intended parent’s eggs are firstly retrieved, fertilized and then transferred into the other IP’s uterus. Reciprocal IVF is a great option for same-sex female couples who want to physically involve both partners in conception.
In other words, reciprocal IVF involves one of the partner’s going through an egg retrieval. After fertilizing that egg with donor sperm, the other partner goes through the embryo transfer and carries the baby.
IVF with Donor Sperm
On the other hand, the IVF process does not have to be reciprocal. For example, the patient who provides the egg, or a gestational carrier, can go through the embryo transfer.
Embryo Transfer with Donor Embryo
As a result of IVF, some patients have remaining embryos after they have completed their own family goals. Some feel inspired to “pay it forward” and offer their embryos to others who are still struggling to conceive. As a result, using donor embryos provides a dramatic advancement in the timeline and process of traditional IVF.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) involves directly placing sperm inside a uterus that is clinically optimized for conception through careful tracking of a cycle and medication.
That is to say, IUI using donor sperm is a popular treatment for single and same-sex coupled women who can carry a healthy pregnancy.
Common Treatment Options for Male Patients and Couples
- Donor Egg
- Gestational Carrier
Donor Egg
Our embryology team fertilizes the donor egg, monitors for signs of fertilization, and transfers a resulting embryo through IVF to a gestational carrier (GC).
Gestational Carrier
A gestational carrier arrangement involves a qualified, thoroughly vetted and screened woman carrying the pregnancy and delivering the child for the intended parents. This is a working partnership that requires expert navigation to protect the parents, the gestational carrier, and the health and safety of all involved.
Transgender Individuals and Couples
Transgender individuals and couples may also want to consider IUI, IVF and/or the use of an egg or sperm donor or gestational carrier when trying to conceive. If you are considering hormone treatments or surgical removal of your ovaries or testes, consult with SpringCreek Fertility about fertility preservation prior to these treatments if you want to keep the option of having a biological child in the future.
Everyone deserves the family of their dreams.
Most importantly, with the right guidance and support, LGBTQIA+ patients can go on to fulfill their dream of expanding their families.
There are many paths to parenthood, and SpringCreek Fertility’s dedicated third-party reproductive team is here to help individuals and couples achieve their family-building goals. In addition to clinical care, you may need emotional and legal support, so we will connect you to our expansive network of professionals with experience in reproductive law, therapy and counseling, and donor sperm and egg agencies.
No matter where you are in your family-building journey, SpringCreek Fertility is ready to help you achieve the family of your dreams. Whether you’re navigating questions about treatment, or managing emotions, there’s a community waiting to help you find your path. Expanding your family is possible, and you deserve the support and care needed to make it a reality.
Learn about RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association LGBTQIA+ legislation initiatives here.
If you have questions about costs, please call our financial counselors at 937.458.5084 to discuss some of the fertility bundles designed specifically for collaborative reproduction and the LGBTQIA+ community.
For more information, contact us at 937-458-5084 or schedule an appointment here.
