LGBTQ Family Planning Services
When someone is ready to start a family, factors like gender and sexual orientation should not get in the way. That is why the fertility specialists at the Center for Fertility and Gynecology are so proud to offer LGBTQ family planning services to individuals in Los Angeles, CA, Tarzana, CA, Bakersfield, CA, and surrounding areas.
Our LGBTQ family planning services address each of our patient’s unique needs and preferences, and gives them a chance to have the child they desire. Here we provide a brief overview of the fertility services that can play an essential role in the parenthood journey for our LGBTQ patients.
Egg Donation
Egg donation allows gay males and women with certain fertility issues to undergo fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization, or IVF. The donor eggs are fertilized by a collected sperm sample (either from an intended father or a sperm donor) and resulting embryos are carried by either an intended mother or a gestational surrogate.
Patients who will be undergoing fertility treatment with donor eggs can choose to do so with a known egg donor, or with one that is selected from a donor bank. All egg donors must be carefully screened to ensure that they are physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared for the process.
Sperm Donation
A sperm donor will be required for male patients who have a low sperm count or poor sperm quality, or for lesbian couples undergoing fertility treatment. Donor sperm can be used for IVF treatment, or for IUI. During IVF donor sperm is used to fertilize eggs in a laboratory setting. Successful embryos are then transferred to the intended mother or a gestational surrogate. During IUI, donor sperm is injected directly into the intended mother’s uterus.
As with donor eggs, donor sperm can be obtained from a known donor or from a donor bank. Intended sperm donors must be carefully screened to ensure that they are ideal candidates.
Gestational Surrogate
If patients are unable to carry their own pregnancy, they will work with a gestational surrogate. A gestational surrogate carries a pregnancy, but has no biological connection to the child. The embryo they carry is fertilized using an egg from a donor or intended mother and sperm from a donor or intended father (gay male couples may choose to use a mixture of both of their sperm, so that each has the chance to be biologically connected to the child).
Gestational surrogates are similar to egg and sperm donors in that patients may know their surrogate, or they may select a surrogate from a surrogacy agency. Surrogates undergo a strict screening to ensure that they are physically and emotionally prepared for surrogacy.
Reciprocal IVF
One fertility option that is available to couples with two biological women is reciprocal IVF. During reciprocal IVF, one female partner donates her eggs for fertilization, and the other female partner carries the pregnancy. This allows both partners to feel connected to the child and to be closely involved in fertility treatment.
Contact the Center for Fertility and Gynecology
At the Center for Fertility and Gynecology, we offer a wide range of fertility services that tailor to the needs of the LGBTQ community. If you are interested in learning how these services may help you achieve your dream of becoming a parent, we invite you to contact our practice online, or call (818) 617-2148 to schedule an appointment.