Family — it’s a concept that has evolved into a rich tapestry reflecting diversity, love, and commitment in myriad forms. Gone are the days when a family was narrowly defined as a unit comprising solely a father, a mother, and their biological or adopted children. Today’s family portrait is beautifully varied, including two dads, two moms, nonbinary parents, and single individuals all sharing the common thread of love for their children.
At Joy of Life® Surrogacy, we proudly support and celebrate the diversity of families, especially when it comes to assisting LGBTQ+ couples and individuals on their path to parenthood. We understand the unique challenges and joys that accompany this journey and are dedicated to providing the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to navigate the intricacies of LGBTQ+ infertility and family building.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility is a condition defined as the inability to conceive after at least one year of trying.
For women, fertility declines with age. Thus, examination and treatment are recommended once they reach the age of 35. If they have been trying to get pregnant or conceive for at least six months to no avail, intervention may be suggested earlier.
In men, infertility may be caused by a variety of factors including low sperm count or poor sperm function. These issues can arise from genetic defects, illnesses, infections, injuries, or lifestyle choices. Diagnosis typically involves a general physical exam, semen analysis, hormone testing, among other tests.
LGBTQ+ Infertility: A Different Challenge
For many LGBTQ+ couples, the difficulty in building their own families does not stem from an infertility diagnosis by a doctor. Rather, it is because they require an egg or sperm donor to conceive.
Even with perfectly functioning reproductive systems, LGBTQ+ couples face extra steps in biological family building that heterosexual couples typically do not need to consider. This is often described with the term “social infertility.”
What Fertility Options Are There for LGBTQ+ Couples?
In our modern era, numerous avenues exist for LGBTQ+ couples to realize their parenting aspirations. Here’s a glance at the most common paths:
Sperm Donation
Sperm donation refers to the process of collecting sperm to be used in artificial insemination or some other fertility treatment.
Men who want to donate sperm must meet certain criteria. These include not having a history of certain diseases in their family and not being intravenous drug users.
A strict screening process is in place that involves questionnaires, interviews, and medical evaluations and tests.
If qualified, donors start the donation process by providing a semen sample. The sample is then stored in a sterile container and frozen until it is needed.
Egg Donation
Egg donation is the process by which eggs are collected for use by others in having a baby.
Women who wish to donate must meet certain criteria, generally including an age range of 21 to 35 years. They must be free of hepatitis C, HIV, and other infections. Additionally, they should not be at high risk of genetic diseases. A detailed family medical history is required, and the screening process, similar to that for sperm donors, includes interviews, physical exams, drug tests, blood tests, and other procedures.
After qualifying, women begin the donation process by taking fertility drugs to stimulate their ovaries to produce multiple eggs. When the eggs are ready for retrieval, a procedure known as transvaginal ovarian aspiration is conducted. The eggs are then removed, preserved by freezing, and stored.
In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is the process of fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body, in a laboratory dish. It is a well-known ART (assisted reproductive technology) method for those with fertility issues. The process may use the couple’s own sperm and egg or include a donor for either gamete.
Preparation for IVF includes a series of screenings and tests. These are ovarian reserve testing, semen analysis, uterine exam, infectious disease screening, and practice embryo transfer.
Following these preparations, the steps of egg retrieval, semen retrieval, and fertilization take place. Once the embryos are ready, they are placed into the uterus through a process involving a syringe and catheter.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy refers to the arrangement where a woman, who is called a surrogate, agrees to carry and give birth to a baby on behalf of other people, who are called intended parents. This arrangement can be legally, medically, financially, and emotionally complex and varies depending on the location of the intended parents and the surrogate.
There are two types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate is artificially inseminated with the intended father’s sperm, and gestational surrogacy, where an embryo created with an egg and sperm from donors or the intended parents is implanted in the surrogate. Traditional surrogacy results in a baby genetically related to the surrogate, while gestational surrogacy does not.
How Do You Choose the Best Fertility Option for You and Your Partner?
Choosing the right path to parenthood is deeply personal and can be complex. Joy of Life® Surrogacy is not just a resource but a partner in your family-building journey. We are here to provide nuanced answers to questions like, “How much does surrogacy cost?” or “Where can I find IVF services?”
You needn’t navigate this significant life chapter alone or be overwhelmed by the plethora of information online. Let us be your beacon, offering clarity, support, and understanding every step of the way. We invite you to take that first brave step toward building your family with us — because every question, every challenge, and every success is a part of the incredible story you are writing.
Interested in exploring the path to parenthood through surrogacy? Connect with us at Joy of Life® Surrogacy, where your family dreams are nurtured with care and expertise. Reach out today, and let’s embark on this remarkable journey together.
