LGBT Family Building
IVF & Other Fertility Services for LGBT Couples in Atlanta
Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine is proud to assist members of
the LGBT community in building their families with our friendly, high
quality fertility services. We are sensitive to the unique needs of our
LGBT patients and develop treatment strategies that are specific to each
person or couple. We work closely with sperm banks, gestational carrier
agencies, and reproductive attorneys both locally and nationally so that
our patients have access to all the resources they need to start building
their family.
Family Building Options for Lesbian Couples
Lesbians seeking medical assistance to become pregnant should first complete
a fertility work-up to help establish the most appropriate treatment plan.
With a lesbian couple, the testing done depends upon who will be carrying
the pregnancy. The person who plans to become pregnant will typically
have bloodwork done to assess ovarian reserve and a hysterosalpingogram
to assess the health of the uterus and the fallopian tubes. The next step
towards treatment is 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):
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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 (nonmedicated) cycle or may be performed in a cycle using
oral fertility medications.
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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 in to the uterus. A lesbian 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.
Family Building Options for Gay Male Couples
Gay male couples 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 selection of an
egg donor. You can choose an anonymous donor from an egg bank or pick a donor that
you know and is willing to go through the egg retrieval process.
Couples will also have to identify a
gestational carrier (GC). ACRM will assist you with locating reputable gestational carrier
agencies and will complete a full clinical evaluation of any potential
carrier on your behalf. Treatment will always involve in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Adoption
At any point along your journey to parenthood, you may decide that adoption
is the best choice for you and your partner. ACRM works closely with many
adoption consultants, agencies, and attorneys, and can be a resource in
guiding you to the right people to help you build your family.
Legal
When a gestational carrier or a sperm or egg donor that is known to the
couple is used, there are important legal issues that should be considered
and addressed, including establishing legal parentage. ACRM can refer
to you several law firms that specialize in Third Party Reproductive Law
and that have attorneys with years of experience in this very special
area of legal practice.
Contact Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine
today to start building your family, 678-841-1089.