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lgbtqa+ family building

a pathway for everyone

At Marin Fertility Center, we celebrate diversity and offer a comprehensive range of fertility services tailored to meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. Whether your journey involves donor sperm, donor eggs, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo freezing, or working with a gestational carrier, our team provides inclusive, affirming, medically advanced care.

From assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), and preimplantation genetic testing, to emotional support and guidance, we are committed to helping you realize your dream of parenthood in a safe, welcoming, and empowering environment.

family building for lesbian women

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Decisions to be made

  • Sperm source
  • Egg source(s) (who will undergo ovarian stimulation))
  • Whether to pursue Reciprocal IVF (one partner as gestational mother and one as genetic mother), or one person fulfilling both roles
  • Who is carrying the pregnancy and in what order (ex: first pregnancy, second pregnancy, always)
  • Size of family desired 

The steps

  • Identification of sperm source: Anonymous donor sperm through a commercial cryobank (pre-screened) or a known donor (requires additional screening steps).
  • Genetic mother(s): Baseline fertility evaluation including an office appointment and ultrasound of the ovaries. This helps assess ovarian reserve and the expected response to ovarian stimulation.
  • Gestational mother(s): Baseline reproductive evaluation including an ultrasound of the uterus to assess endometrial receptivity prior to embryo transfer.
  • Genetic mother(s): Pre-treatment expanded carrier screening (ECS).
  • Both partners: Pre-treatment expanded carrier screening (ECS).

If IVF is chosen, eggs are retrieved, fertilized using standard IVF or ICSI, and then progressed through blastocyst culture in the embryology lab before transfer or cryopreservation of embryos.

FAQ

Do I need fertility testing if I am not considered “infertile”?

Yes, fertility testing can still be beneficial for lesbians who want to conceive even if they aren’t considered “infertile.” This testing can help assess factors like ovarian function, egg quality, and overall reproductive health, providing valuable information to optimize the chances of successful conception. It’s a proactive step that can help identify any potential challenges early on and guide decisions about the most effective fertility treatments or strategies.

Can we proceed with a cycle where we utilize one partner’s eggs and the other partner’s uterus?

Absolutely, that’s a common approach for lesbian couples looking to have children. It’s called reciprocal IVF, and it allows both partners to actively participate in the conception and pregnancy process. One partner provides the eggs through ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval, while the other partner carries the pregnancy by having the embryo(s) transferred into her uterus. It’s a wonderful option that reflects the shared journey of parenthood for both partners. For couples seeking even further connection with their offspring consider MFC’s DuoIVF (more below).

If using a known donor, how much sperm should be collected?

How many treatment cycles it takes to become pregnant can vary depending upon treatment (IUI vs IVF) and age of the egg source. A typical ejaculate can yield multiple vials of sperm each that can be used for one treatment attempt. We suggest discussing your specific goals and prognosis for treatment success to guide this decision.  

How many IUI attempts should be done before going to IVF?

Peak pregnancy rates from IUI occur when the female recipient is < 35 years old and  are estimated to be ~ 15% each month. The decision of when to move on to IVF is a tailored discussion that weighs how many past IUI attempts, how many children desired but is most but strongly rooted around the age of the female recipient as monthly pregnancy rates can start to decline dramatically after the age of 37.   

How can we confirm our status as the legal guardians of our child if we are using a known donor?

When utilizing a known donor, legal agreements are established prior to treatment to ensure that intended parents are recognized as owner’s of the sperm prior to treatment and ensuring that the known sperm donors are not legally or financially responsible for the child. When utilizing a known donor, it is required for both the donor and the couple to seek independent legal advice and sign a legal agreement outlining the financial responsibilities and rights of the donor regarding the donated genetic material.

How can I ensure the safety of the donor I select for my baby?

All potential sperm donors undergo a thorough screening process. This includes an assessment of their family medical history, medical examinations, and psychological evaluations. Additionally, genetic testing is conducted for donors. Important compatibility issues include 1) Rh status 2) carrier gene status and 3) CMV (past exposure) status.

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Donor Sperm

who it may be for? Single women, Women with female partners, Women with a male partner who has no sperm or an unpredictable amount of sperm.

ivf

The idea behind IVF is that, by removing several of the variables encountered during the initial steps of reproduction, the overall chance of pregnancy is increased. IVF has become so...

duo ivf

DuoIVF™ leverages INVOcell, where two women can concomitantly participate in the earliest stages of gestation.

family building for gay men

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Decisions to be made

  • Sperm source (both partners or one individual)
  • Egg source(s): shared or individual donor, known or anonymous donor, fresh or frozen donor eggs
  • Gestational carrier(s)
  • Order of pregnancies
  • Size of family desired

The steps

Baseline reproductive evaluation:
Consultation and semen analysis to assess sperm quality and identify whether advanced techniques like ICSI may be recommended.

Identification of egg source:
Options include

  • Anonymous frozen donor eggs from a commercial bank (pre-screened)
  • Fresh eggs from an agency donor (partially screened)
  • A known donor (requires additional genetic, medical, and psychological screening)

After retrieval, eggs undergo fertilization and blastocyst culture, and embryos may undergo preimplantation genetic testing before transfer or embryo freezing for future use.

Matching/contracting with a gestational carrier:
This can be done before or after embryo creation (embryos can be frozen indefinitely through advanced cryopreservation of embryos).

Legal representation:
All parties require independent legal counsel due to the use of donor gametes and a gestational carrier.

Psychological and genetic counseling:
Recommended to support emotional readiness and ensure safe, informed decision-making throughout the surrogacy process.

FAQ

Should I begin by searching for an egg donor or a gestational carrier first?

 You can simultaneously look for both an egg donor and a gestational carrier. Typically, it’s quicker to find an egg donor and undergo the embryo creation process. If you opt to find the surrogate first, you might need to cover costs to keep her on standby while you finalize the selection of a donor and proceed with creating embryos.

Can sperm from both partners be used to fertilize a single cohort of eggs?

Yes, but there are some details to consider. For example, when using frozen donor eggs, cohorts are generally smaller and it may make more sense for a single sperm source to be used on that small number of eggs. If using a fresh donor, and a reasonable amount of eggs are retrieved, then both partner’s sperm could be used to fertilize a portion of the eggs. 

If only using one partner’s sperm at a time, how is it decided who is used first?

The first step to figure this out is to complete the screening process (Semen analysis and bloodwork). An abnormal semen analysis or abnormal screening blood work can dictate which direction to go. Age of the partners can also be important.

Can two different gestational carriers be used?

Yes, you can use 2 different carriers at the same time. Also, if you use a gestational carrier for one cycle, but then decide that for the second child you would like to use a different carrier, that is possible.  

Are there other options besides IVF?

If you are a cisgender gay couple, IVF is the only option that allows you to be a genetic parent. Traditional surrogacy (having the same individual  serve as the egg source and as the carrier) can be difficult to navigate from a legal perspective. Marin Fertility Center does not offer traditional surrogacy services.

Should I use an agency rather than search for a gestational carrier myself? Can we choose a carrier we know personally?

To cut costs, many patients think about looking for a surrogate/gestational carrier on their own. Using an agency is recommended because they specialize in finding suitable gestational carriers and help to streamline the rigorous screening process. You can choose to use a friend or relative as a surrogate/gestational carrier. Women who qualify are those who have had a previous uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. They must also be medically and emotionally healthy and pass the screening process.

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donor eggs

During this process, a woman known as the egg donor (who is typically between the ages of 21 and 30), voluntarily gives a small amount of her eggs (typically 5-20,...

surrogacy

A gestational carrier, often referred to as simply “a surrogate”, is a woman who carries and gives birth to a baby for another individual or couple. Unlike “traditional surrogacy”, where...

learning hub

Your comprehensive resource guide for all things related to fertility and reproductive health. Dive into a wealth of carefully curated media including educational videos, blogs, articles and informative guides designed...

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