Most Common Fertility Treatment Options for Same-Sex Couples
If getting pregnant by sexual intercourse is not an option, you may be happy to learn about LGBTQ Fertility Mountain View treatments. Below are the two main ways to become a parent if you are transgender or in a same-sex relationship.
Intrauterine insemination
Intrauterine insemination is whereby washed and concentrated sperm are placed directly into your uterus around the time your ovary releases an egg to be fertilized. The hoped-for outcome of this procedure is for the sperm to swim into the fallopian tube and fertilize the waiting egg, resulting in pregnancy. Intrauterine insemination can be coordinated with your normal cycle or fertility medications, depending on the reason for infertility.
Before intrauterine insemination, your partner or donor provides a semen sample at the doctor’s office. Non-sperm elements in semen can cause reactions in a woman’s body, so the samples will be washed to separate highly active, normal sperm from lower-quality sperm and other elements.
Timing is everything when it comes to intrauterine insemination. Therefore, it is vital to monitor for signs of impending ovulation. Using an at-home urine ovulation predictor kit can help detect when your body is producing a luteinizing hormone. Your doctor can also use an imaging method, such as transvaginal ultrasound, to visualize your ovaries and egg growth. Human chorionic gonadotropin injection can help your ovaries produce one or more eggs at the right time.
In vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization is a form of assisted reproductive technology whereby sperm and egg and fertilized in a lab and then transferred to a uterus. The process involves various procedures such as screenings, ovulation induction, egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. IVF offers the highest likelihood of a successful pregnancy using a couple’s eggs and sperm or that of a donor.
Before the start of an IVF cycle, you and your partner or donor will need various screenings, including semen analysis, ovarian reserve testing, infectious disease screening, uterine exam, and mock embryo transfer. Below are some of the things you may discuss with your specialist before starting the IVF cycle.
- The number of embryos transferred to your uterus. This is typically based on age and the number of eggs retrieved
- Whether you need extra embryos. You can have extra embryos frozen and stored for future use. Not all embryos survive the freezing and thawing process. However, most will.
- Potential complications of using donor eggs, sperms, embryos, or gestational carriers. You may need the help of a trained counselor with expertise in donor issues to understand concerns such as the legal rights of the donor. An attorney will help you file court papers to help you gain legal rights or become the parents of the implanted embryo.
- How you will handle multiple pregnancies. IVF can result in multiple pregnancies, which pose health risks for you and your babies. A fetal reduction can help you deliver fewer babies, but it is usually a major decision with ethical, emotional, and psychological consequences.
If you need help getting pregnant, book an appointment with your specialist at Nova Vita Wellness Centers.
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