Surrogacy Guide

How Does IVF Work for Lesbians?

Share this on

After you have decided to use reciprocal IVF, they process almost identical to standard IVF begins.

With any method of reproductive support for lesbian couples, the first thing to decide upon is sperm donation. Will we use a sperm donor bank or someone we know? Once this has been decided the process of synchronizing menstrual cycles occurs by inducing oral contraceptive pills.

The partner donating eggs will start medications to stimulate the progress of multiple eggs. The partner who will carry out the pregnancy is induced with medications to help prepare the uterus for transfer.

Once the cycles are coordinated, the eggs will be retrieved using ultrasound guidance and mixed with the donor sperm in a lab. The resultant embryo is transferred to the uterus of carrier using a small catheter. If pregnancy is succeeded, prenatal care begins.

What should I Consider with Reciprocal IVF?

The same considerations that apply to any typical IVF process apply to reciprocal IVF. A couple should be well educated and understand the processes and success rates. A couple should carefully weigh out each role that will accompany the expectations of the pregnancy.

It is common for a lesbian couple to use reciprocal IVF for an addition to the family with their original donor only reverse roles so that each woman will experience carrying the child and having a biological connection to the child.
