Families come in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and with advanced medical practices, those who once could only dream of being parents are often able to experience the deep joy of parenthood. Today we are going to take a look at family building for gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals and couples.
This is not a topic that is as readily discussed, so I’m excited to be able to share this conversation with Dr. Jani Jensen of RMIA.com with you!
For Gay Couples
Gay couples who want to have children will need an egg donor, who provides the eggs, as well as a surrogate, who will carry the pregnancy. The partner wishing to use his sperm will undergo a semen analysis to test motility, volume, concentration and morphology of the sperm. One or both partners can submit sperm for fertilization. Egg Donation and Gestational Surrogate is typically utilized.
For Lesbian Couples
For lesbian couples, one partner may choose to donate the egg and the other partner will carry the pregnancy. They may use Artificial insemination (IUI) with donor sperm (Intrauterine), Partner IVF (in vitro fertilization), or Sperm donor insemination into one or both partners.
Trans Family Building
Before undergoing any treatment that may affect one’s fertility such as gender-affirming hormone and/or surgical treatments, patients should speak with their physician about freezing sperm or eggs.
For trans women, options include sperm cryopreservation (freezing) or usage via intrauterine insemination (IUI) of a cisgender female partner. In vitro fertilization (IVF) may also be recommended using partner or donor eggs or sperm and/or the partner’s uterus or gestational carrier.
For trans men, fertility options include egg and/or embryo freezing (cryopreservation), using his partner’s sperm or donor sperm. Trans men may undergo IUI using partner or donor sperm or may require IVF using his own, a partner’s, or donor eggs. Embryos may be transferred into his own uterus, his partner’s uterus or into a gestational surrogate.
To learn more about Dr. Jani Jensen visit, RMIA.com with you! If you have a friend or loved one who might benefit from this information, please forward them this email and let them know they can sign up for regular email updates at BabiesAfter35.com!