Pregnancy options for lesbian couples: Everything you should know
Roughly 30 % of Cryos’s private clients are lesbian couples conceiving with donor sperm via three main routes: IUI, IVF, or reciprocal IVF (one partner’s egg, the other’s womb). Each path differs in cost, success odds, and medical demands, which we cover below.
Your pregnancy options as a same-sex couple
The primary options for lesbian couples wanting to have a baby involve the use of donor sperm. Here is an overview of the differences between each treatment method. If you are looking for a clinic to help you on your journey, follow the link to read about Cryos Clinic.
| Intrauterine insemination (IUI) | In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) | Reciprocal IVF | |
| Procedure | Sperm is placed in the uterus using a small plastic syringe. | Eggs are retrieved and fertilised before being transferred back to the woman. | Eggs from one are fertilized with donor sperm and transferred to the other partner. |
| Complexity | Simple and non-invasive. | More complex than IUI, but less complex than reciprocal IVF. | More complex than IVF. |
| Cost | More affordable than IVF and reciprocal IVF. | More expensive than IUI, but less expensive than reciprocal IVF. | More expensive than IVF. |
| When to use | If you have no known fertility issues, IUI is recommended as the first step. | Ideal after multiple failed IUI attempts or if there are any known fertility issues. | Ideal for lesbian couples, where both want to be physically involved in the process. Check legal regulations in your area before deciding. |
23.000+ lesbian couples went through fertility treatment
Did you know that according to data from the NHS, more than 23.000 lesbian couples have begun treatment with donor sperm in the last 10 years?
Which pregnancy option is the cheapest?
IUI is the most affordable and least invasive fertility treatment, making it a great starting option for lesbian couples. Costs can vary based on factors like sperm, medication, and monitoring. Consult a healthcare professional to explore the best option for your situation.
Relevant links about fertility treatment
Other articles you might find relevant on your journey
While these three pregnancy options are the most common for lesbian couples planning to start a family, they are very different. You should always consult a healthcare professional before deciding on your fertility treatment.
Your choice of fertility treatment should depend on personal preferences, reproductive health, budget, and your country’s legislation. There are other alternatives, which we cover further below, but in terms of treatment with donor sperm at a clinic, the most common fertility treatment options for lesbian couples are IUI, IVF and reciprocal IVF.
If you are considering using donor sperm to become pregnant without a man and fulfil your dream of a family, we recommend this video below where Lisa from Teddy Has Two Moms answers the most frequently asked questions about lesbian family planning.
3 things to consider when starting fertility treatment
Before starting the journey towards becoming same-sex parents, there are some things you and your partner need to decide and do. In the following, we list three things you and your partner need to discuss before starting fertility treatment.
- Who will carry the child?
An important decision for lesbian couples to make before starting fertility treatment, is who is going to carry the child? There are a lot of things to take into consideration, and factors such as age, health and personal preferences might influence the decision. - Choice of donor
Choosing a sperm donor that you are both happy about might take time. It might help if you and your partner start by deciding the level of information you want regarding the donor and whether you want your child to be able to contact the sperm donor in the future. - Where to have your treatment?
Unfortunately, not all countries and clinics allow fertility treatment for lesbian couples, so an important first step is finding out where to go. Find a fertility clinic that wants to help you become same-sex parents, and preferably one close by. You should also take into consideration what your legal options are as a lesbian couple, as this varies a lot from country to country. If you want our assistance, Cryos can tell you more about your options and help to find the right fertility clinic.
Create a free account to find your ideal donor
One of the most important things in the process of using donor sperm to fulfil your dream of a child is choosing the right donor. If you are ready to begin that process, we want to help you start off right to ensure you begin your journey in the right place. Use the buttons below to stay on our European site or navigate to our American site.
The treatment process for lesbian couples
What to expect when starting fertility treatment as a lesbian couple? Well, first of all, it is important to say that the treatment process is individual, as it is adapted to your body and more specifically your menstrual cycle. That is why it is a good idea to track your menstrual cycle in advance, as this information will help you and the clinic plan the treatment process. Second of all, the treatment process for lesbian couples is almost identical to that of other couples and singles going through fertility treatment.
Once you have decided who will carry the baby, the first step will usually be to do a blood test on the third day of your period to check the hormone levels. After your treatment is planned, you must order donor sperm and have it delivered to your clinic before the treatment.
IUI treatment process
In IUI donor insemination occurs around the time of ovulation. To increase the chances of success, the clinic might prescribe small doses of hormone and/or an injection to trigger the ovulation.
Hormone injections might seem a bit scary at first - but remember that this is only to give you the best conditions for a successful treatment. To relieve some anxiety and make it into a team effort, many lesbian couples do the injections together, so that the one going through treatment will have the hormones injected by her partner.
After a two-week wait, you can do a pregnancy test. It might be tempting to do it before but be aware that the ovulation trigger injection includes hormones that might give a false positive pregnancy test within the first weeks.
Ready to take the next step?
Now you know a lot more about the pregnancy options for lesbian couples, and maybe you are ready to take the next step and begin your journey toward parenthood. Click on the button below to create a free account and start your search for a donor today.
The treatment process of IVF and reciprocal IVF
During IVF, both reciprocal and normal, the treatment always begins with hormone injections for one or two weeks before the egg retrieval. These hormones will help increase egg production. The type and dosage of hormones will be tailored to you, and depending on how your body responds, it may cause some discomfort. Your fertility doctor will do ultrasounds regularly to monitor how the eggs develop.
When the time is right, you will do an injection to trigger the ovulation, which will then be planned exactly 36 hours later. During egg retrieval, a fertility doctor will gently retrieve the eggs from each follicle and place them in a dish. You and your partner will usually be able to follow the process on a screen. Once you are done, you will need rest and must expect to take the rest of the day off.
Once the eggs are retrieved, donor sperm will be added and each egg is monitored for five or six days to see if they fertilize and develop into embryos. A successful embryo will then be transferred to the uterus of the person who intends to carry the pregnancy. The embryo transfer is a simple procedure that takes about 10 minutes and usually does not require anaesthesia.
After about two weeks, a blood test will determine if the treatment was successful and whether you are going to be a family of two mums in the near future.
Some lesbian couples might need to use donor eggs
Some lesbian couples may need to use IVF with donor eggs if one or both partners have infertility issues or genetic disorders that a child could inherit. In these situations, the couple may choose to use an egg from a screened and healthy egg donor to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy and a healthy child.
It is important to note that the decision to use donor eggs is a personal one, and each couple's reasons and circumstances may differ.
Lesbian couple pregnancy options without donor sperm
Sperm is required to create a pregnancy. However, there are alternatives to donor sperm for lesbian couples. Instead of using donor sperm from a sperm bank like Cryos, lesbian couples can use one of the following methods:
- Adoption: Lesbian couples can choose to adopt a child from another country or a foster home.
- Co-parenting: A known donor could be a male friend who has decided to help and can either act as a regular donor or become a part of the family. This type of family is called co-parenting or rainbow family.
Deciding to not use donor sperm can be based on different factors such as the economic situation, legislation, or personal wishes and beliefs.
Same-sex couples' success stories
If you want to read stories from women who became same-sex parents with the help of a sperm donor, you can follow the links below to some of the many personal stories we have received from happy customers:
- Having a baby: Julie and Camilla's fertility journey
- The story of Phoebe and her wife travelling to Denmark to fulfil their dream
- Being the non-biological mother to a donor child – Lisa's story
We are here to help you
At Cryos, we want to help you achieve your dream of a child. Our Customer Care Team is always ready to answer any questions you have in relation to the process of buying donor sperm, the fertility treatment, or the laws in your country and how they might affect your choice of donor and treatment.
If you are interested in exploring the possibilities of having children with help from a donor, then follow the button below to see the different donors available. You can also read more about donor sperm for lesbian couples or see price examples of sperm donors by following the links.
Frequently Asked Questions on lesbian pregnancy
Can two females have a baby with the same genes?
No, two women cannot have a baby that shares both of their genes. When you conceive a baby with the help of a sperm donor, only the mother providing the egg will share genes with the child.
Can a woman carry a baby for another woman?
Yes, a woman carrying a child for another woman is called a surrogate. Surrogacy is often used by women who suffer from genetic inherited diseases or are incapable of carrying a child themselves.
How much does it cost for two females to have a baby?
The price of fertility treatment with donor sperm for lesbian couples varies depending on a lot of factors like treatment country, type of treatment, and your choice of a sperm donor.
Can two women have a biological child?
No, two women cannot have a child genetically related to both. A child needs DNA from one egg and one sperm. However, through Reciprocal IVF using donor sperm, one woman can provide the egg and the other carry the pregnancy, allowing both a share in the process.