LGBTQ+ Family Building FAQ

At Boston IVF, we understand that building a family as an LGBTQ+ individual or couple comes with unique challenges. That’s why we are dedicated to providing the highest level of care, resources, and support tailored to your journey. Our team specializes in LGBTQ+ family building and offers a range of treatment options to ensure your experience is rooted in respect, expertise, and compassion.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about LGBTQ+ family building. These FAQs address common concerns, available treatments, and the support you can expect throughout your journey with us.

Boston IVF is proud to stand beside you every step of the way as you work toward building the family you’ve always envisioned.

What LGBTQ+ family building options are available at Boston IVF?
Boston IVF offers a wide range of family-building options for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, including:

✓ Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A common starting point for those with donor sperm. It’s a relatively simple procedure in which sperm is introduced directly into the uterus.

✓ In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A more advanced treatment that involves fertilizing eggs outside the body and then transferring embryos into the uterus.

✓ Partner Assisted Reproduction (PAR): Often used by lesbian couples, this procedure allows one partner to provide the eggs while the other partner carries the pregnancy.

✓ Egg Donation and Sperm Donation: Suitable for single parents or same-sex couples who need donor eggs or sperm to create embryos.

✓ Gestational Surrogacy: For those who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves, this option involves a gestational carrier who carries the pregnancy.

Boston IVF also provides fertility preservation options, such as egg freezing and embryo freezing, particularly for transgender individuals or those planning for family building at a later time.

What is Partner Assisted Reproduction (PAR), and how does it work?
Partner Assisted Reproduction (PAR), sometimes called reciprocal IVF, is a family-building option often used by lesbian couples or other couples where both partners have ovaries. This process allows both partners to play an active role in the creation and carrying of the pregnancy. Here’s how it works:

✓ One partner undergoes ovarian stimulation to produce eggs.
✓ The eggs are retrieved and fertilized with donor sperm in the lab to create embryos.
✓ The embryos can then be transferred into the other partner’s uterus to carry the pregnancy.

PAR provides an intimate way for both partners to be involved, one as the genetic parent and the other as the gestational parent.

What should I consider when choosing between using a known donor and an unidentified sperm donor?
When choosing between a known donor (e.g., a friend or family member) and a unidentified donor from a sperm bank, consider the following:

✓ Legal Considerations: A known donor agreement should be established legally to clarify parental rights and responsibilities.

✓ Screening and Testing: Known donors must go through a similar screening process as unidentified donors to ensure sperm quality and safety.

✓ Emotional and Relationship Dynamics: Consider the potential impact on your relationship with the donor, especially if they are someone you know personally.

Boston IVF provides the option to quarantine and screen sperm from a known donor, and our team can help guide you through these considerations to find the best fit for your family-building goals.

What is the difference between IUI and home insemination?
✓ Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing washed sperm directly into the uterus, significantly increasing the chances of conception compared to intracervical insemination (ICI), which is often performed during home insemination and places sperm into the cervix.

✓ IUI has a success rate of approximately 15-20% per cycle for those under 35 using donor sperm, whereas home insemination is estimated to have about half the success rate of IUI. At Boston IVF, we recommend IUI as a first step for many LGBTQ+ families.

How many cycles of IUI should I try before considering IVF?
✓The number of IUI cycles you should attempt depends on various factors, including age, medical history, and overall fertility health.

✓Generally, individuals under 35 are advised to try up to six cycles of IUI before considering IVF.

✓ If you are over 35 or have known fertility challenges, fewer IUI cycles may be recommended before moving to IVF for a higher chance of success.

What is the process for transgender individuals who want to preserve fertility?
✓ Transgender individuals can consider options like egg freezing, embryo freezing, or sperm freezing, depending on their transition stage and reproductive goals.

✓ Fertility preservation via egg freezing can sometimes be done without discontinuing hormone therapy or inducing menstruation.

✓ At Boston IVF, we tailor fertility preservation approaches to be sensitive and accommodating to the needs and preferences of transgender patients.

Does Boston IVF offer support for navigating insurance coverage for LGBTQ+ family building?
✓ Yes, Boston IVF has financial coordinators who can help you understand your insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs for treatments such as IUI, IVF, and fertility preservation.

✓ Many employers are now offering comprehensive fertility benefits that include same-sex family building and fertility preservation for transgender individuals. It’s worth checking with your HR department to explore available options.

What is the success rate of IVF for LGBTQ+ couples?
✓ Success rates for IVF vary depending on age and other health factors, but typically the success rate is around 50-60% per cycle for those under 35.

✓ Success rates may be even higher for those without a history of infertility who are using donor sperm or donor eggs. IVF success rates for LGBTQ+ individuals are comparable to other populations, and Boston IVF strives to provide personalized and effective treatment plans to optimize outcomes.

Can my partner and I both be genetic parents to our child?
✓ While two same-sex partners cannot both contribute genetic material to the same child, both partners can still play a significant role in the family-building process.

✓ Options like partner assisted reproduction allow one partner to provide the eggs, while the other carries the pregnancy, creating a shared connection to the child.

What resources are available to support LGBTQ+ individuals and couples throughout the family-building process?
✓ Boston IVF provides access to counselors and support groups specialized in LGBTQ+ family building.

✓ Additionally, resources like Resolve.org and LGBTQ+ family building organizations can offer guidance, community support, and educational materials to help navigate this journey.