Same-sex female couples usually tend to parent equally. Obtaining donor sperm from some countries could cause future problems both for you and the child, so it’s always better to think about local options if possible. If you are thinking about obtaining donor sperm from overseas, make sure you understand the laws and regulations of the country in question. Most assisted reproductive technology clinics can organise donated sperm for you.
The sperm will have been carefully medically screened and the donor will have been told about his legal rights. If you plan to use sperm from a sperm bank, the donor could be Australian or come from overseas. Make sure you involve your partner in the discussions and give the potential donor plenty of time to think about it. If it is someone you know, think carefully about what you are looking for in a donor, what level of involvement you want him to have with the child, and why he would consider donating to you. This could be someone you know, or an unknown donor who has donated their sperm to a sperm bank. IVF can be more expensive, and it also doesn’t always work.Įither way, you will need to find a sperm donor. The mother will need to take fertility drugs. This is when the sperm are introduced to the egg in the lab. If you have fertility problems, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is another option. You don’t always need to take fertility drugs, and the procedure is quite quick and inexpensive. Sperm from a donor are injected directly into the womb and, hopefully, the woman will become pregnant. Some women inseminate themselves at home, but many choose to be inseminated in a clinic using a process called intrauterine insemination (IUI). The most common way for a woman in a same-sex relationship to become pregnant is to use donated sperm. If you are thinking of conceiving a child, there are several fertility options available. Or you may have a co-parenting arrangement with a gay male couple. One or both of you may have children from a previous heterosexual relationship. One partner may have the baby, or you may choose to adopt. Same-sex families can be created in many different ways.