Exploring Surrogacy- Options for LGBT+ Couples

Many couples dream of starting a family and building a home where their children can play. It doesn't matter what your gender is; you deserve to build your life and expand your family. For LGBTs,surrogacy is one of the reproductive choices. No one has to hesitate in discussing being a parent.

Tammuz Family believes in this and is happy to help you to fulfill your dreams. If you are reading this, then it is when you should think about having a family and start your journey to become a parent and enjoy your altruistic nature towards your upcoming child. The most common option that one can have is gestational surrogacy, egg donor, and in vitro fertilization. Let's brief you about the opportunity you have.

Options that LGBTs have

As we all know, surrogacy is. Nowadays, this is becoming common in heterosexual or same-sex couples. Biologically connecting with the child and raising them alone is another satisfaction. LGBT offers the opportunity to use the options where the process can be done using an egg donor. This gestational carrier and in vitro fertilization are essentially helpful for intended parents. Moreover, there is one option that is also there where the anonymous donor can be chosen. It's up to you to select the type of surrogacy process which suits you and your requirements.

Fertility in LGBT Families

In the United States separately, there are 3 million LGBTQ+ couples who have adopted the surrogacy process, and now they are enjoying their parenthood. So, if you have become anxious, don’t worry. Trust the process, and you will get there.

The genetic connection is the most important thing you and your partner must consider. You want to go where one of you will be the sperm donor, or you want a genetic connection with your child. In this, both partners can connect genetically with the child. For instance, some intended fathers use the sperm of both partners to make a genetic connection with the child.

Third-party reproduction

As the name suggests, a third person is involved in this. They provide eggs, embryos, or sperm to become gestational carriers. This person can be your friend, family, or acquaintance, but this can’t be someone you met randomly. In this case, you might face issues like parental rights because the donor has a chance to claim parental rights. So, consulting with legal authorities and approaching surrogacy agencies are recommendable steps.

Anonymous donor

Surrogacy agencies help you to provide the option for this as well. You can choose someone else to process the path of surrogacy. Moreover, they can select donors from their known as well.

You will get two options under this process: Semi-open and open donor. In a semi-open donor, you and the donor will be in a contract requiring minimal communication. Details like address, place, occupation, etc., are not shared under this. While an open donor, you will get every access to be in contact with the donor. Even if you want to, the intended parents and donor can visit each other once a year.

Sperm donor insemination

This option is adopted by transgender, lesbian couples, and some assigned females by birth. The washes semen is transferred to the person, and this person can be from your known or the agency-authorized surrogate. See, there are ways of doing this, and it's up to you which process would you choose. It mostly happens at the clinic, but sometimes people choose the in-home method. In-home process of semen insemination is surrounded by medical risks, which might be shocking for you. Sometimes, the court assigns the father as the legal guardian even after undergoing the legal procedure. So, it is always advisable to go with surrogacy agencies.

In Vitro Fertilization

Based on your preferences, your eggs will be harvested under IVF, and once you get a few embryos, then two or three embryos will be transferred to the surrogate mother. And the remaining extra embryos can be cryopreserved for future preferences. Just think how easy the process is. This is for gay couples. Now let’s talk about the options that lesbian couples have.

Once women create the eggs and undergo the process of retrieval. At the same time, the other women can carry the embryos placed inside the uterus to have the pregnancy after commingling with the sperm. But before the procedure, some factors are considered by the agencies. Pregnancy-associated risk factors help to analyze the body mass index, the tendency to become pregnant, and the ability to carry it without risk.

Embryo/ Egg donor with Gestational carriers

It's heart-wrenching for you not to carry your child because of biological, medical, hormonal, or personal reasons. But that doesn't stop you from being a parent. Tammuz Family has a solution for you.

You can find a donor if you want to avoid the agency using your eggs. The agency will propose to you some of the profiles, and as per your preferences, you can go for it. Whereas in the case of a sperm donor. If one of the partners is older, it is always advisable to go with the older one because the genetic risk is lesser than the older one.

Transgender parenting options

We all know some hormonal and surgical interventions might affect the surrogacy process. If you are looking to change your gender, it's better to go for egg or sperm freezing. This option may help you in the future. But, if you haven't considered these steps, don't assume you can't be a parent genetically. Why are the surrogacy agencies here? After conducting several fertility tests and reviewing your medical record, they will help you with the options.

Pros and cons of surrogacy for LGBTQ+ couples

If you are going for surrogacy, you must consider the positive and negative sides. And this includes-

Pros

·         The surrogacy options help to fulfill your dream of becoming a parent.

·         This allows you to have a biological connection with children.

·         You can connect with surrogates effectively.

Cons

·         The surrogacy law for LGBT depends on the state, which might be complicated and can impact your mental health.

·         You might go through some of the financial ups and downs.

·         Discrimination is one of the concerns which might face by LGBTQ+ couples. But it is always better to contact with agency properly.

 It might be complex, but worth it….

You might be thinking about how complex this process is. You have many options, but choosing from them needs to be clarified. Don’t worry; Tammuz Family has all the solutions to your question. The expert and professional will help you in your journey to becoming a parent. Think of the moment when you will hold a life in your hand, that utter emotional chaos, happiness, pride, and whatnot. Don’t you think that moment is worth all your pain and time? It does, right?

So, what are you waiting for? Contact Tammuz Family, and start the journey to complete your family.

Frequently asked questions….

1. What is the significant difference between a surrogate and a gestational carrier?

Don’t get confused. The gestational carrier is the one who carries the baby on your behalf and has no biological connection with the child. In contrast, a surrogate has a biological relationship.

2. Is surrogacy safe for LGBT couples?

Indeed, you don’t have to worry about anything. Contact Tammuz Family and go through the process without hesitation.

3. What is the typical timeline of the surrogacy process?

It typically takes 5 to 6 months to find a perfect match and a donor for you. And the overall process takes 15 to 24 months to fulfill your dream of becoming a parent.

4. Which step should I take first, be an egg donor or finding a surrogate?

Although, it doesn’t matter, as the egg-freezing process is there. If the intended parent finds their surrogate first, they can hold her. But this can cost you a lot.

5. Is it legally safe to choose the surrogacy process for LGBT couples?

Yes, obviously. The process is entirely safe. However, in some places, the legal flag is not proposed. So, it is better to contact the legal expert and surrogacy agency.