Becoming Two Dads: Understanding Your Fertility Treatment Options

Fertility research has come a long way in recent years, and same-sex couples are finally able to enjoy the benefits of having and raising a child of their own rather than adopting from another family. While egg donors and surrogacy present unique challenges, our team can help you understand your options and navigate every step of the process. 

At University Reproductive Associates, with offices in Hasbrouck Heights, Wayne, and Hoboken, New Jersey, our fertility experts offer help to gay men and other LGBT families seeking to have children. 

Finding a provider 

Current events have made it a bit uncomfortable for same-sex couples to discuss family planning, and some fertility clinics aren’t always welcoming toward LGBT parents. That is why it’s essential to find a provider that respects you and your partner as people, not just as customers. 

At University Reproductive Associates, we’ve helped many gay and lesbian couples achieve their dreams. Our center is in contact with a network of other fertility clinics that share our passion for building families of all shapes, sizes, and orientations. 

From finding donor eggs to gestational carriers, we’re dedicated to giving every couple a chance at a child of their own. 

Assessing your options 

Family planning for gay men usually involves the use of donor eggs and a surrogate, assuming both men are assigned male at birth. 

First, a consultation is done to discuss which party will donate the sperm. One or both men can undergo semen analysis to determine who is the most suitable donor. From there, you will be put in touch with someone to help you find an egg donor. 

That is done either through a donor agency (for “fresh eggs”) or through an egg bank (for “frozen eggs”). Frozen eggs are shipped to the URA, while fresh eggs require a donor to undergo ovarian stimulation, followed by surgical retrieval of the eggs. 

From there, the eggs are fertilized with one or both parties’ sperm, and the embryo(s) are implanted into the uterus of a surrogate. 

The final decision is who will be your gestational carrier. URA can put you in contact with agencies that will help with this process as well. 

Starting your family 

Family planning is a process that takes time, especially when it involves fertility treatments. If you or your partner are using your own sperm, it must be quarantined for six months before it can be released for use. 

That is to protect your surrogate, so if time is of the essence, plan by having the sperm analyzed and frozen ahead of time. Depending on the agency, there might be additional paperwork and protocols before you can move forward with the surrogacy process, so be prepared for some legal discussion. 

However, once these matters have been settled and your baby is brought into the world, you can begin planning the rest of your life like any other family. 

Ready to get started? Schedule a consultation with the team at URA by calling 201-288-6330 for an appointment at the location closest to you or requesting an appointment online.