Assisted Reproductive Technology for Gay Couples

The wikipedia definition of Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is: the technology used to achieve pregnancy in procedures such as fertility medication, in vitro fertilization and surrogacy. With the availability and advancements of assisted reproductive technology more gay couples are able to have biological children using ART.

Lesbian couples tend to utilize ART through artificial insemination with donated sperm to have their children. They can get this sperm through a sperm bank or a friend or family member might be the donor. Some lesbian couples do choose to do reciprocal IVF. This is where eggs are retrieved from one partner, inseminated with donated sperm and then transferred into the uterus of the other partner. Another option is embryo donation. Although it is very rare, some lesbian couples do use a surrogate to grow their family. The chances of a lesbian couple needing a surrogate are much lower since there are two people who might be able to carry a child but it does happen where neither can carry or they choose not to carry their child. Traditional surrogacy is also an option.

Gay male couples can utilize ART by using donated eggs and inseminating them with one or both partners sperm and transferring them into the uterus of a surrogate. Some gay couples choose to transfer two embryos, one embryo biologically related to one father and the other biologically related to the other father. Other options include using donated embryos and transferring them into a surrogate or using a traditional surrogate either inseminated with one of the father’s sperm or donated sperm.

I love seeing couples of all kinds growing their families in whatever way they choose is right for them. Assisted reproductive technology has come a long way in recent years. I look forward to seeing what options everyone will have in the next decade.

~ The Honest Surrogate