What are the Fertility Options for Same-Sex Couples?
Sims IVF assists same-sex and LGBTQAI+ couples or individuals, needing a sperm donor, to help them have a baby. Every story is unique and we have a number of options to help same-sex couples on their journey to parenthood.
Sims IVF is proud to help same-sex couples realise their dream of completing their family. We have a comprehensive donor sperm programme and an experienced team to help guide you through the process. Donor sperm is available when using the patient's own eggs. Egg Donation is only available when using partner sperm.
Donor Sperm
Our sperm donors come from Denmark and are ordinary, physically healthy men from a broad cross-section of society whose ages range from 18-50. You will receive information like eye colour, hair colour, height, weight, type of build, race, peculiarities of appearance (eg. complexion), age, education/occupation, blood type, karyotyping, psychological profile, and infectious screening results.
Due to new legislation, donors must be identifiable. Using an identifiable donor does not mean that you as a parent will receive the donor's identifying information. However, any child born using an identifiable donor will, at the age of consent, be entitled to the donor's identifying information. However, the donor is not allowed to receive information about the identity of the recipient couple or the child. The donor has no paternal rights to a child born because of treatment to an anonymous couple using his sperm.
What treatment options are available to us?
IUI- Intrauterine Insemination or artificial insemination is a common fertility treatment option for lesbian couples. It involves the placement of processed sperm from a donor directly into the uterus during the ovulation period. This procedure maximises the chances of sperm reaching the fallopian tubes, increasing the possibility of fertilisation. IUI offers a less invasive and more affordable option compared to IVF. This is good for those with no history of fertility issues.
IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation) is a treatment where fertility medications are used to prompt a larger number of eggs to grow. These eggs are collected from the ovaries and combined with the donated sperm in the laboratory via IVF. The embryo develops in the laboratory for 5 days before being transferred back to the woman.
Shared Motherhood
Shared Motherhood or Reciprocal Donation is an innovative and empowering fertility option available to same-sex lesbian couples. It allows both partners to actively participate in the conception and pregnancy process. This approach involves one partner undergoing ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilisation with donor sperm. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus of the other partner, who carries the pregnancy to term.
For many couples, this is a beautiful process that allows both parents to have a unique linkage to the child. Shared Motherhood provides a unique bonding experience for both partners and offers a unique connection to each partner in the creation of their family.
Surrogacy Supports
Sims IVF is partnered with My Surrogacy Journey.
My Surrogacy Journey® is one of the UK’s leading surrogacy organisations created in Feb 2021, designed to support people in a way that hadn’t been created previously. With a number one podcast and tailored membership packages offering unrivalled levels of professional, legal, clinical, emotional, educational, and practical support, MSJ are positively changing the global surrogacy landscape. My Surrogacy Journey offer the balance and experience needed for a successful surrogacy journey.
Offering UK surrogacy with surrogate matching and support as well as surrogacy in the USA, Canada and Mexico City via our trusted partners, all fully managed, professionally, legally and emotionally.
Sims IVF provides only fertility testing for Irish Intended Parents.
Emotional Support and Counselling
Embarking on a fertility journey can be emotionally challenging. We recognise the importance of emotional support and offer counseling services to couples, ensuring they have a supportive network throughout their fertility treatment. We are with you every step of the way on your journey.
Talk to us today
If you'd like to learn more about any of the above options, please get in touch with our team and speak to one of our fertility experts.
To support you, we offer payment plans via our finance partner, humm, and refund packages with our partner Access Fertility. Please also check with your private healthcare provider to avail of benefits. Sims IVF is now approved Vhi fertility centre.
