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.
