At CRGW we have been helping lesbian couples to create their families for years. We have a specialist team who are dedicated to helping you both on your journey into parenthood. The following information outlines the optional treatments and pathways for you as a couple. Lesbian couples will be seen at the clinic by a fertility specialist to discuss treatment options, their fertility (for both partners if they are wishing to both have treatment), the use of donor sperm and how to choose a donor (from the CRGW donors, from one of our external sperm bank partners or using your own donor). Information regarding legal parenthood and parental responsibility will also be provided.
There are 5 main treatment types for lesbian couples offered at CRGW which you can read about in detail here and are also listed below.
- Donor sperm IUI
- Donor sperm IVF
- Donor sperm IVF with egg sharing
- Donor sperm IVF with intra-partner donation
- Donor sperm IVF with intra-partner donation & egg sharing
Initial Consultation: An initial consultation will take place with one of our fertility specialist to discuss treatment options. Information will be provided to the couple by the fertility specialist outlining the treatment discussed, screening and investigation requirements, donor sperm information and information regarding implications counselling.
Nurse treatment planning appointment: a fertility nurse specialist will explain the treatment plan and regime, ensure that all screening and investigations are in place, that the arrangement for donor sperm is in place and that the couple have been contacted by the lab team to arrange the import of their donor sperm (if applicable) or if they are using donor sperm from the CRGW sperm bank. All required consent forms will be completed at this stage also including the HFEA (Human fertilisation and Embryology Authority) Legal parenthood consents, giving both women legal parenthood of any child born as a result of their treatment. At this appointment, the timeline for treatment will also be provided outlining the treatment stages and processes.
Known sperm donors: We also welcome couples for treatment if they wish to bring a known sperm donor or a co-parent as part of their journey into parenthood. For lesbian couples who wish to use a friend or family member as a known donor or co-parent then we would also see the donor/co-parent for initial consultation with a fertility specialist and he will then be seen by a fertility nurse specialist to outline the process for them and the regulations in terms of quarantine period for the sperm prior to treatment.
For more information about using a sperm donor in your treatment please visit the HFEA and Donor Conception Network websites.