LGBTQ2S+ Family Planning Services
Fertility Services to Grow Your Family
Family Building for Lesbian Women
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). It combines the retrieved eggs from a female with donor sperm to form embryos in a special laboratory. Those embryos are then placed into the uterus of one of the female partners to achieve a pregnancy.
Reciprocal (Shared) In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
For lesbian couples, reciprocal IVF (also known as shared IVF) is a popular choice since both partners can participate in the journey. One female partner provides the egg, while the other carries the baby through pregnancy.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Considered to be a less invasive process than IVF, IUI involves the artificial insemination of donor sperm (or a pre-arranged known donor) directly into the uterus of one of the female partners.
Family Building for Gay Men
Here at OFN, we help future fathers build families through egg donation, IUI, IVF and surrogacy.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We begin by addressing your needs. Through a detailed evaluation, we discuss your goals and desires, as well as create a customized fertility plan for you.
Step 2: Sperm Analysis
A sperm analysis is performed on one or both partners, depending on your family goals, situation, and treatment plan.
Step 3: Choosing an Egg Donor
Every egg donor is screened to ensure your fertility journey goes as smoothly as possible. We connect you with an egg bank where you and your partner can make a selection based on your personal set of criteria.
Step 4: Selecting a Gestational Surrogate
Surrogacy can help a future father or male couple become parents. This is made possible through the help of an egg donor, a gestational carrier who will carry the baby through the pregnancy, and Advanced Reproductive Technology (ART). The fathers-to-be then become the legal parents at the baby’s birth.
Our third-party reproductive coordinator will guide you through all the medical, logistical, and legal details so that you know what to expect throughout the journey.
Family Building for Transgender Men and Women
Partnered with Cisgender Woman
Partnered with Cisgender Man
An egg donor is necessary. From there, you or your partner’s sperm is used to fertilize the egg using IVF. A gestational surrogate is then required to carry out the pregnancy.
Understanding the Donor Sperm Process
In certain situations, donor sperm from a third party is necessary to help you expand your family. Most cases involve anonymous donor sperm, however in rare cases, and with appropriate legal counsel, known donors could be used.
You may consider using donor sperm if:
- You are a woman in a same-sex relationship.
- You are a single woman.
- You are a man who produces little or no sperm, has a history of genetic disease, or has other issues pertaining to sperm production.
Understanding the Egg Donation Process
Egg donation may be suitable for:
- Male couple parents-to-be
- Single male parent-to-be
- Female parent-to-be (who can not use her own eggs due to health reasons)
Understanding Your Surrogacy Options
A surrogate is a woman who agrees to carry a baby through pregnancy for someone else, whether that be an individual or a couple. With gestational surrogacy, the sperm of the future father (or sperm donor) is combined with the egg of the future mother (or egg donor) in an IVF laboratory. The embryo that results is then implanted into the surrogate’s uterus. The surrogate then carries the pregnancy to full term. Although she plays an invaluable role in creating this family, there is no biological link between the baby and the surrogate. As the soon-to-be parents of this baby, you provide essential support to the surrogate during the pregnancy. At birth, you then become the legal parents of your baby.
A less common option is traditional surrogacy. In this situation, the surrogate is also the egg donor, which biologically links her to the baby, but she relinquishes any parental rights at birth.
Through our third-party reproductive partners, we work with same-sex couples to find their ideal gestational surrogate.
A gestational surrogate may be suitable for:
- Single men who want a family
- Same-sex couples who want to grow their family
- Women with contraindications for pregnancy
- Women who have had a hysterectomy
- Women who have had radiation near the pelvis or uterus due to cancer
Family Planning with the Ontario Fertility Network
Testimonial
“When my wife and I decided that we wanted to expand our family, finding a fertility clinic was not something that we took lightly. It meant hours of research and phone calls. When we finally found Lakeridge Fertility we knew that this was the place we wanted to start our fertility journey. The referral process was quick, the environment was welcoming and their bedside manner is exceptional.
Being a same sex couple, we were looking for a clinic that would feel inclusive and Lakeridge Fertility not only did that, they made us feel like family. The relationships my wife and I have created since becoming patient’s there are some that we won’t soon forget. We are now 28 weeks pregnant and we can’t thank everyone enough. You have made our dreams come true.”
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