LGBT Family Building Options
The Houston Fertility Center in Houston, TX, is proud to have been at the forefront of providing LGBT family building services since we opened our doors in 1996. Dr. Sonja Kristiansen and her staff create treatment plans based on the health and family building goals of the patient. For our LGBT patients, we offer standard fertility treatments, as well as those that specifically address the needs of same-sex couples. As our patient, you can expect compassionate and attentive care focused on helping you realize your dream of growing your family.
Family Building for Gay and Lesbian Couples
Same-sex couples hoping to expand their families can choose from several services, depending on their health and preferences:
IVF - In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves retrieving an egg, combining it with sperm, and placing healthy embryos into the uterus. Gay couples can choose a surrogate to carry the embryo.
Surrogacy - We work with Prime Genetics and other third-party agencies that conduct stringent screening to help hopeful parents find the right surrogates.
Reciprocal IVF - Lesbian couples can both contribute to the pregnancy through reciprocal IVF, with one partner donating the egg and the other carrying the baby.
INVOcell™ - This fertilization method involves incubating embryos within a special device that is inserted into the vagina. Compared to IVF, which requires incubation in a laboratory, this method offers significantly lower costs. We are now proud to offer reciprocal INVOcell.
Sperm donors - Lesbian couples or gay couples struggling with sperm issues may use a sperm specimen from someone they know, or choose an unknown donor through an agency. We work with Fairfax Cryobank, California Cryobank, and other leading sperm banks that follow strict Food and Drug Administration regulations in order to protect the safety of recipients.
Artificial insemination - Also known as IUI, this fertilization method involves placing sperm inside the woman's uterus to encourage egg fertilization.
Egg donors - To ensure patient safety, we only work with agencies that follow FDA guidelines when assisting our practice in matching hopeful parents with the right egg donor.
The Houston Fertility Center in is proud to have been at the forefront of providing LGBT family building services since we opened our doors in 1996.
The Cost of Fertility Treatment
We take ample time to explain to each of our patients what insurance will cover for each step in their treatment process. For those who have limited or no insurance, we offer discounted fee-for-service prices. Meanwhile, our IVF and INVOcell costs are among the most competitive in the country.
Support
We want each patient to have the best possible experience both before and during parenthood. Support groups attended by other gay and lesbian parents can be incredibly helpful. We often recommend that patients explore the Houston Gay and Lesbian Parents (HGLP) group as they begin the journey toward parenthood.
Schedule a Consultation
The team at the Houston Fertility Center look forward to meeting you and using their talents to help you realize your dreams of becoming a parent. Contact us online today to learn more about how we can help you.
