If you are a LGBTQ couple and want to have a baby, there are different types of fertility treatments available for you. Below is information about two of these treatments so you can start the process of adding an extra family member to your home.
Intrauterine Insemination
One fertility treatment available for you is intrauterine insemination (IUI). With this you can go to a fertility clinic or your doctor to have the procedure done. The doctor places sperm directly into you or your partner's uterus with a small catheter. This helps increase the number of sperm that reaches your fallopian tubes which can improve the chances of you becoming pregnant. This procedure can be performed in a doctor's office, and you do not have to be sedated. This makes this an inexpensive option for you.
You will first see the doctor who will run a few tests on you to make sure this treatment will work well. One common test used is saline infusion sonogram. This is to ensure your fallopian tubes, or your uterus do not have any problems that will prevent IUI from working for you. It is important that the person receiving the treatment is ovulating at the time. The doctor will often prescribe fertility medication to stimulate ovulation. The doctor will also do bloodwork and give you ultrasounds to determine the best time to do the procedure.
A couple of weeks after the treatment, you will be asked to do a pregnancy test. If the test is positive the doctor will follow you throughout your pregnancy to ensure everything goes smoothly. You will also need to see your obstetrician during this time.
In Vitro Insemination
Another option you have is in vitro insemination (IVF). This treatment is much more complex when compared to IUI and is more expensive. During the IVF procedure, mature eggs are first retrieved from your or someone else's ovaries. The eggs are then sent to a lab to be fertilized. Once this happens, the egg is transferred to your uterus.
More than one egg is often used during the transfer, so you may have twins or even triplets with IVF, and this is something to think about. The eggs can come from you or your partner or from a donor, and the sperm is from a donor that you know or do not know.
The doctor will have you take fertility medications to boost the number of eggs your body produces. They will also run tests to ensure you are healthy, as well as that your uterus is healthy. The entire process takes a few weeks to complete.
The doctor can go into much more details about LGBTQ fertility options to help you understand what happens and what decision to make.
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