Building a family is a beautiful journey for any loving couple. For men navigating fertility without a female partner, fatherhood is absolutely attainable through assisted reproduction. Our LGBTQ-friendly fertility clinic provides a range of options to help male partners successfully conceive and welcome a baby.
Gestational Surrogacy Overview
The most common approach used by gay male couples is gestational surrogacy. This involves having both fathers’ sperm used to create embryos through IVF, which are then transferred and carried by a gestational surrogate or carrier.
The process begins with choosing an egg donor and testing both intended fathers’ sperm for optimal fertility. Next, the eggs are fertilized via IVF using sperm from one or both partners to create viable embryos.
A trusted gestational carrier undergoes embryo transfer, taking care to prepare the uterine lining for implantation. A pregnancy test will determine if transfer was successful. Any unused quality embryos can be cryopreserved for future cycles or siblings. After delivery, the surrogate legally relinquishes rights, allowing the male couple to take custody.
Benefits of Gestational Surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy offers many rewards for prospective gay fathers:
- Ability to use both fathers’ genetic material if desired
- Experience of pregnancy and birth of your biological child
-Control over embryo creation compared to adoption - High success rates with IVF using an egg donor
- Surrogacy completion rates near 95%
- Legally less complex vs traditional surrogacy
- Create embryos when men are healthiest and freeze for later
Our team guides intended parents through every decision like whose sperm will be used, selecting an egg donor and surrogate, syncing cycles, etc. We develop a customized plan to help you achieve your dream of fathering a child.
Reciprocal IVF for Male Couples
In some cases, male partners may opt to have one man provide sperm while the other carries the pregnancy through IVF. This is known as reciprocal or partner IVF. It allows both fathers to take active roles in the conception journey.
The biological father and gestational father both undergo initial consultations and testing. Next, the egg donor undergoes IVF retrieval and fertilization using the sperm provider’s sample. Viable embryos result after incubation.
The embryos are then transferred to the gestational father’s uterus at the optimal stage in his cycle to facilitate implantation. Any remaining quality embryos can be banked for the future. In two weeks, a pregnancy test will determine outcome. If successful, the child will be genetically related to the sperm provider and gestationally related to his husband.
At our fertility center, only the healthiest singleton embryo is transferred in male pregnancies due to increased risks. We provide careful monitoring and support throughout the process including IVF, preparation for pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care.
Options for Alternative Insemination
Options are also available for male couples who wish to conceive at home without IVF. This can be done by purchasing pre-washed, medically-screened donor sperm that is used for artificial insemination. Samples from sperm banks will have complete medical histories and testing.
Prior to insemination, the recipient father should have a fertility assessment to evaluate for any structural or health issues. Ovulation prediction kits can help determine the optimal fertile window for trying to conceive when used in combination with donor sperm. The at-home insemination process itself is non-invasive.
If needed for increased chances, medicines like clomid or letrozole can promote ovulation and IUI can assist as well. Working with reproductive urologists who have expertise in transgender fertility can provide specialized support. At home insemination may take several cycles to be successful. Our doctors help track fertility during this process.
Building Your Family Through Surrogacy or Adoption
Along with medical intervention, adoption and foster care provide additional ways for gay men to expand their families. Adoption options include domestic infant adoption, international adoption, and adopting from the foster care system. Surrogacy and adoption both have complex legal procedures two-dad families must navigate.
Our clinic provides resources and referrals to reputable adoption agencies and surrogacy organizations to help couples consider which path best aligns with their goals and needs. We offer guidance every step of the way, whether your journey leads to IVF, surrogacy, adoption or another means of parenting.
Supporting Male Couples on Their Path to Fatherhood
Bringing a child into your family is a major undertaking on many levels. Our clinic offers comprehensive support services to fully assist gay fathers-to-be:
- Legal education on contracts, parentage, birth certificates
- Referrals to surrogacy agencies and egg donors
- Mental health services and counseling
- Transgender fertility advice and care
- Wellness coaching – nutrition, exercise, lifestyle
- Support groups connect with others experiencing the same journey
- Financial guidance – insurance, grants, discounts, financing
We celebrate and welcome the opportunity to help LGBTQ couples realize their dreams of parenthood. Each fertility treatment plan is tailored to your unique needs and goals as we work together to grow your family.
Begin Your Path to Parenthood
If you’re ready to get started on the path to fatherhood, we are honored to support your family building journey. Please contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our fertility specialists. We look forward to helping turn your dream of having baby into reality.