LGBTQ+ Couples: Choices to Consider for Becoming a Family

The desire for a blood-related child and the chance to experience birth first or secondhand is often the reason that same sex couples opt for fertility treatment over adoption. Also, for some couples, the adoption process is fraught with obstacles beyond their control. 

The reproductive specialists at University Reproductive Associates have helped hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples throughout New Jersey and the greater New York City metropolitan area achieve their dream of parenthood. 

Options for same sex couples

Fertility treatment for male same sex couples usually involves donor eggs and a surrogate as a gestational carrier. One or both partners can donate sperm. A donor agency can be used to find a “fresh egg,” or a donor bank can be used to find a “frozen egg.” Then, another agency can put you in contact with a gestational carrier. 

Once these arrangements have been made, our team can perform in vitro fertilization (IVF). Fresh eggs are gathered using surgical egg retrieval from a donor. Alternatively, frozen eggs can be purchased from a donor bank. Afterwards, the eggs are fertilized using sperm from one or both partners to create embryos. Our team at URA will then place the resulting embryo into the uterus of the gestational carrier. Other options include using a gestational carrier with a partner’s sperm and performing an intrauterine insemination (IUI). 

Female same sex couples also have options when it comes to fertility treatment. After the couple decides which party will be carrying the baby and whose eggs will be used, the patient will undergo the necessary tests to make sure the couple is ready to become pregnant. These tests include: 

• Blood work 
• Ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve 
• Dye test (hysterosalpingogram) to test the fallopian tubes 

If the test results show no abnormalities, a sperm donor can be chosen and our team can complete intrauterine insemination (IUI). This procedure involves the placement of a small catheter during ovulation. The donor sperm is placed directly into the uterus, in hopes that the egg will meet the sperm and fertilization occurs. 

In some circumstances, one woman might contribute the eggs while the other carries the child. This is often done in cases where both parties desire a biological tie to the pregnancy, or if one partner is experiencing issues that prevent them from providing the eggs or carrying the pregnancy. 

During this process, the partner providing the egg undergoes ovarian stimulation, followed by a procedure to remove the eggs and subsequent fertilization with donor sperm. While the embryos (the beginning of the pregnancy) are being created in the lab, the receiving party takes medication to prepare them to receive the embryo. 

How we can help 

A fertility specialist or team of specialists is necessary to successfully achieve pregnancy with IVF or IUI. Our caring, discreet team at University Reproductive Associates can help walk you through every step of the process and put you in contact with FDA-certified sperm banks, donor agencies, and gestational carriers. 

Are you looking to start a family with your partner? You can find acceptance, support, and assistance at University Reproductive Associates. To get in touch with our team, just call 201-288-6330, or use our telemedicine consultation service to learn more.