If you and your same-sex partner are thinking of starting a family of your own — particularly if you’re a lesbian couple looking to conceive a child — this article is for you. LGBTQ couples and singles have more options than ever to start a family. Along with adoption and foster parenting, LGBTQ family planning options include:
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), where a woman can become pregnant using her own or donor eggs and donor sperm
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), where a woman undergoes artificial insemination using donor sperm
- Fertility preservation options for transgender individuals, including sperm banking and egg freezing
- Gestational Surrogacy – using donor eggs and sperm from one of the partners
In addition to these options, many female same-sex couples have an interest in exploring a type of IVF known as reciprocal IVF. If you and your partner are considering reciprocal IVF, this article offers an overview of the process and the IVF costs for gay couples.
What is Reciprocal IVF and What Does It Cost?
Reciprocal IVF is a lesbian pregnancy option that offers a way for same-sex female couples to share an intimate experience in bringing their child into the world. With reciprocal IVF — also referred to as same-sex IVF —one partner provides the eggs, which are extracted, then fertilized with donor sperm to create an embryo, and then inserted into the other partner’s uterus, which then carries the baby to term. In this way, both women share the beautiful bond of creating a child of their own.
What Are the Steps to Conceiving a Child Via Reciprocal IVF?
Once both partners undergo evaluations to make sure they are good candidates for the procedure, they will follow the following steps.
- The partner providing the eggs will undergo a transvaginal ultrasound to check her ovaries and follicles count and will receive a blood test to, among other things, gauge her hormone levels. Based on the results of these tests, her IVF physician will prescribe a protocol of fertility medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
- Once her follicles containing the eggs reach maturity, the egg-donating partner will undergo an egg retrieval process. The retrieved eggs are then fertilized with donor sperm, and the resulting embryos are frozen until they’re retrieved and transferred to her partner’s uterus.
- The child-bearing partner will also undergo a thorough examination, and if all is well, she will start hormone treatments to prepare her uterus to carry the pregnancy to term.
- When the embryos are ready, an agreed-upon number will be transferred to the child-bearing partner’s uterus.
How Much Does It Cost For Two Females to Have a Baby With Reciprocal IVF?
Reciprocal IVF is expensive, with costs ranging in the tens of thousands for most couples undergoing the procedure. Fortunately, you can look for a clinic that offers several options to make the process more affordable.
For example, you can look for a clinic that offers affordable payment plans or outcome-based pricing. Under the outcomes model, the clinic provides a money-back guarantee — usually 80% of a fixed-fee predetermined fee — in the event that a viable pregnancy is not achieved after a set number of attempts.
Some states, like New York, offer grants for women seeking IVF who meet specific criteria. Typically, under New York’s program, the woman seeking to become pregnant via IVF must:
- Be a resident of New York state
- Be between the ages of 21 and 44
- Can’t have a household income exceeding $200,000
- Have commercial medical insurance that doesn’t cover the procedure
- Meet the grant’s medical history requirements, including no history of three or more failed IVF attempts
Why New Hope?
New Hope Fertility Center is home to world-renowned fertility specialists. We custom-design fertility treatments for the individual to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Our specialists believe in putting the patient first and being with them through every step of the fertility journey. Our team is well-versed in helping women of all ages reach their fertility goals and we are passionate about educating and supporting our patients throughout their journey. If you want compassionate fertility care, New Hope is the right place for you. Call us at (347) 970-8479 or schedule your initial consultation today!
Whether you are a lesbian couple seeking to conceive through reciprocal IVF or a male same-sex couple looking for options to start a family, New Hope Fertility Center has a custom-designed fertility solution to increase your chances of success.
Fierce supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, our mission is to see that everyone has an equal opportunity to realize their dream of becoming a parent.