Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

LGBTQ+ Family Building

Since the founding of our practice, we have held a strong ethical belief that all patients deserve our thoughtful, cost-effective, and honest medical care, no matter their marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Deciding to take the first steps on the path to parenthood is an exciting time for partners and individuals! At Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine (ACRM), we are sensitive to the unique needs of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming patients and to the special needs they may have in family building.

Various options for building a family exist and range from the use of donor sperm to donor eggs to a gestational carrier. All are available at ACRM.

Family Building Options for Female Partners

Cisgender female partners seeking medical assistance to become pregnant should first complete a fertility work-up to help establish the most appropriate treatment plan. With lesbian partners, testing depends on who will donate egg(s) and who will carry the pregnancy (frequently, but not always, the same person).

The next step towards treatment is the selection of a sperm donor. Sperm donors may be anonymous and chosen from an accredited sperm bank, or the donor may be known to the couple.

Treatment will then either involve intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF):

  • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), is a treatment where sperm from the selected donor is placed directly into a woman's uterus around the time of ovulation. This may be done in a natural (non-medicated) cycle or performed in a cycle using oral fertility medications.
  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the fertilization of an egg by sperm outside of the body and in an IVF lab. Once fertilization has occurred, and normal embryo development is confirmed, an embryo is transferred into the uterus. A female couple may choose to have one partner provide the egg, and the other partner carry the pregnancy. This is referred to as "reciprocal IVF” and provides a way for both partners to feel actively involved in the treatment process.

In some cases, female partners may need donor eggs to conceive. Donors may be anonymous or be friends or family members.

Family Building Options for Male Partners

Male partners seeking medical assistance to become parents should first complete a semen analysis to assess the sperm. The sperm from one or both partners can be used for treatments. The next step is the selection of an egg donor and gestational surrogacy (gestational carrier or GC):

  • Donor Egg Program: At ACRM, the Donor Egg Program staff is dedicated to working with patients whose family building requires the use of an egg donor. This includes same-sex couples or single males. Our dedicated team can assist you in finding an egg donor match through ACRM's rigorously screened donor pool or via a national donor egg agency. You may also opt to pick a donor that you know and is willing to go through the egg retrieval process.
  • Gestational Carrier (GC): A gestational carrier is a woman that will carry and deliver a child for another couple or person. When a gestational carrier is used, eggs and sperm are combined via IVF to make embryos. Those embryos are then transferred into the gestational carrier’s uterus. The carrier has no genetic or legal tie to the resulting offspring. ACRM is partnered with several nationally recognized agencies and can be a prime resource in helping you find your gestational carrier. We also provide any medical procedures associated with gestational carrier usage.

Family Building Options for Transgender Partners

Transgender and gender nonconforming members of the LGBTQ+ community have many options when it comes to family planning.

Due to hormone therapy's impact on gonadal (eggs and sperm) function and gonadotropin (hormone) levels, transgender individuals must discontinue hormone therapy before embarking on their reproductive journey. An ACRM physician will be able to evaluate your unique circumstances and guide you through your treatment options.

Should you decide to begin your reproductive journey later in life, fertility preservation is a great option.

    Adoption

    At any point along your journey to parenthood, you may decide that adoption is the best choice for you or for you and your partner. ACRM works closely with many adoption agencies and can be a resource in guiding you to the right resources to help you build your family.

    Legal

    When third-party reproduction (donor sperm, donor egg, or gestational surrogacy/gestational carrier) is used, there are important legal issues that should be considered and addressed, including establishing legal parentage. ACRM can refer you to several law firms that specialize in third-party reproductive law and that have attorneys who have years of experience in this very special area of legal practice.

    For more information about LGBTQ+ family building options, contact Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine today, 678.841.1089.

    Proud to partner with Future Family and Connecting Rainbows.

    Related Blogs