Fertility treatments for same sex male couples offer a direct path to fatherhood for many gay couples

Our Chicago fertility doctor offers fertility treatments for same sex male couples hoping to build a family. Because family building for gay couples through fertility treatment always involves an egg donor and gestational surrogate, our clinic guides each couple through the process of finding the altruistic women who will be an important part of their journey to fatherhood.

Fertility treatments for same sex male couples hoping to have a baby

IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is an essential aspect of family building for gay couples. This process involves fertilizing donor eggs with sperm from one of the male partners. To achieve pregnancy, our Chicago fertility doctor transfers one of the resulting embryos into the uterus of the gestational surrogate.

Our clinic walks couples through each step of this process.

Fertility testing. The first step toward starting IVF is a semen analysis for the partner who will provide the sperm. The results of this test provide valuable information for our fertility specialists when planning the IVF cycle. If both partners wish to provide sperm, both partners will be tested.

Egg donor. When two men decide to grow their family through fertility treatments for same sex male couples, finding an egg donor is key. Some men prefer to ask a friend or family member to act as their donor, while others choose to use an anonymous donor.

Our clinic connects couples wanting to use anonymous donors with reputable donor agencies. Patients can then peruse the profiles of various donors, viewing photos and information about their personal and family health histories, ethnicity, education, interests and more.

To ensure they have a high chance of providing quality eggs, all donors undergo comprehensive screening for physical, genetic and psychological health.

Gestational surrogate. Gay couples must also select a gestational surrogate who will carry the pregnancy. Patients can ask friends or family members to act as surrogate, or they can find a surrogate through a surrogacy agency. Either way, our fertility center will work with your surrogate to ensure she is medically ready to proceed with an embryo transfer, pregnancy and birth.

Legal support. Family building for gay couples also includes retaining an attorney specializing in family law, who can draft a contract between the couple and egg donor and the couple and surrogate. This contract clarifies the responsibilities and rights of each party. While Dr. Deutch doesn’t provide direct support for this step of the process, we may be able to provide a list of legal counselors in your area that we have worked with in the past.

Family building for gay couples sometimes includes PGT, or preimplantation genetic testing

Some gay couples choose to have an embryologist perform PGT on their embryos, as this testing helps ensure the doctor transfers a chromosomally or genetically normal embryo into the surrogate’s uterus. For this evaluation, the embryologist removes cells from the portion of the embryo that develops into the placenta, leaving the inner cell mass that turns into the fetus untouched.

After the embryo biopsy, the embryologist can perform PGT-A, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, or PGT-M, preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene defects. Other types of advanced genetic tests are also available, if needed. Before beginning IVF, the doctor helps the patients decide which test might be best for their unique circumstances.

The Chicago fertility doctor at our clinic is well-versed in family building for gay couples. With his support, gay couples can navigate this multi-step process with ease and reach the day where they look into the eyes of their new baby.