Trying to Conceive – Same-Sex Male Couples

Support and Options for Same-Sex Male Couples to Start a Family

Northeastern Reproductive Medicine is proud to support family building for same-sex male couples in an inclusive environment. Our caring Vermont fertility specialists proudly stand by members of the LGBTQIA+ community in helping start and grow families.

With ongoing advancements in fertility options, same-sex male couples can achieve biological fatherhood and share in the amazing journey of starting or growing a family.

The process of family building for gay couples is multifaceted. You can trust we will support you and answer your questions every step of the way. We are excited to see what results we can deliver on your path to parenthood.

Getting started with semen analysis

While there are many steps involved for same-sex male couples to start a family, the first step is an initial consultation and evaluation. Information from your health history and screening can sometimes help determine which male partner’s sperm will be used, based on viability.

It is important that at least one partner, or both men, undergo a semen analysis. This analysis is a simple lab test in which a sample of ejaculate is evaluated for sperm count, activity (motility) and shape (morphology). Another important factor that is considered in the evaluation process is testing for infectious disease.

Using our state-of-the-art lab to pave a path to fatherhood

For gay couples who want to be connected biologically with their children, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with donor eggs and surrogacy is a proven option. IVF requires several steps, and we stand ready to navigate you through this entire process.

The IVF process begins by using the sperm of one or both partners to fertilize eggs from a female egg donor. The genetic blueprint of your child will come from the sperm provider and the egg donor.

NRM offers an amazing fresh egg donor program, working with local, healthy donors. We also work with egg banks, if that’s the right decision for you.

The donor will take medication to stimulate egg production, and her eggs will be retrieved by an embryologist. The eggs are then fertilized with sperm from one or both partners. A resulting embryo will then be transferred to a woman who will carry the pregnancy, known as a gestational carrier.

This obviously is a multistep process, and we stand equipped to provide you with the necessary support and resources through it all. Our Vermont fertility clinic is ready to welcome you and help make your family building goals a reality.

We offer extensive laboratory resources as part of the Ovation® Fertility network, and our staff can assist you in securing an egg donor and a surrogate. In addition, we have a team of attorneys and counselors experienced with family building to help you through the legal aspects of IVF with surrogacy. Contact us to learn more about this highly effective option for gay couples who wish to become parents.

Sources:

Background: https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2022/08/12/for-gay-men-having-a-biological-child-can-be-complicated/