IVF For Same Sex Couples

IVF for same-sex couples means that you can achieve pregnancy and have the family you have been dreaming of.

As a male couple, you will likely need the help of a surrogate. Some female couples may also need assistance from a surrogate due to infertility, but many lesbian couples may be able to achieve pregnancy through standard IVF or reciprocal IVF (this treatment may also be possible for transgender men who still have their ovaries and uterus).

Below we will share the basics of IVF for gay couples and how IVF works in surrogacy. You can get matched with an available surrogate in an average of 1-6 months if you have embryos ready, or read more about reciprocal IVF here.

How Does IVF Work for Gay Couples?

 You will use your or your partner’s sperm  and eggs or donor sperm or eggs to  create embryos that will be transferred to a surrogate’s uterus unless you or your partner are able to carry a pregnancy.

See one couple’s story here.

The process can be broken down into the following steps:

Step 1: Planning for IVF for Gay Couples

Deciding who will provide sperm and egg and who will carry the pregnancy is the first step for most couples, and depending on your situation, you may need sperm, eggs, or a surrogate.

Step 2: Choose a Sperm or Egg Donor

Once you know what services you need, the first step is often to find an egg donor (for gay men) and/or a sperm donor. Egg banks, sperm banks, and fertility clinics can help you begin this process. You can also get resources here or contact a surrogacy professional to get information.

Step 3: Create Embryos

Once you have found a source for the sperm and eggs, your fertility clinic can help you create embryos in a lab environment. 

Step 4: Find a Surrogate

As soon as you have embryos made, you can get matched with a surrogate in an average of 1-6 months if you need one, or you can do reciprocal IVF if one of you is able to carry a child.

Finding a surrogate who is likely to have a successful pregnancy plays a big role in whether or not you will be able to achieve pregnancy.

Contact a surrogacy professional  to get matched with available surrogates who have been pre-screened.

Step 5: Embryo Transfer

Once you have found a great surrogate and your paperwork is completed, the embryo transfer can take place. Your fertility clinic will transfer the embryos to the surrogate’s womb or to yours if you are carrying the pregnancy.

Step 6: Pregnancy Testing

Two weeks after the transfer, you can find out if you achieved pregnancy, and if you did, you have another 8 months or so to wait.

If you didn’t achieve pregnancy, you will need to go back to step 4-5 and complete another transfer with another surrogate. If you don’t have remaining embryos, you may need to repeat step 3 and create more embryos.

Step 7: Parenthood

At the end of the pregnancy, you can be the parents you have dreamed of becoming.

Costs of Surrogacy and IVF for Gay Couples

The cost of surrogacy and IVF for LGBT couples includes things like:

IVF Expenses

• Consultation Fees: Initial fertility assessments and consultations with specialists.
• Medications: Hormonal treatments and medications for stimulation and egg retrieval.
• Monitoring: Ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor hormone levels and follicle development.
• Egg Retrieval: Surgical procedure to collect eggs, including anesthesia costs.
• Sperm Retrieval: Procedures like ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) if needed.
• Embryo Culture: Costs associated with fertilization and embryo development.
• Freezing Eggs/Embryos: Costs for cryopreservation and storage.
• Transfer Procedure: Costs for transferring embryos back into the uterus.
• Additional Procedures: Possible costs for genetic testing (PGT) or assisted hatching.

Surrogacy Expenses

• Agency Fees: If using a surrogacy agency, there are fees for their services.
• Surrogate Compensation: Payment to the surrogate, which varies based on location and experience.
• Legal Fees: Contracts and legal representation for both the intended parents and the surrogate.
• Medical Expenses: Surrogate’s prenatal care, labor, delivery, and postpartum care.
• Insurance Costs: Medical insurance for the surrogate, if needed.
• Psychological Screening: Mental health evaluations for the surrogate and sometimes the intended parents.
• Travel Expenses: Costs for traveling to appointments or the birth location.
• Miscellaneous Expenses: Any additional costs related to the surrogate’s needs or lifestyle during the pregnancy.

These costs can vary significantly based on location, specific circumstances, and additional services required. The best thing you can do is get help from professionals, who can walk you through what you can expect.

We can help you get clarity on surrogacy fees and how you can protect your finances as you create the life you dream of.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is IVF done for gay couples?

IVF for gay couples usually involves finding an egg donor and achieving pregnancy through surrogacy if you are a male couple, or reciprocal IVF if you are a lesbian couple.

How much does IVF cost for gay couples?

IVF costs depend on the services needed, including things like surrogate fees, egg donation fees, and sperm donation fees.

How to get pregnant while gay?

If you are gay, pregnancy is commonly achieved through IVF, either through surrogacy or with reciprocal IVF, depending on the biological sex of each partner.