Resources For Lesbian Moms

Lesbian couples want to have children as much as heterosexual couples but they face many more obstacles. Lesbian couples interested in giving birth to children will often turn to a sperm bank to help them have a child. Sperm banks preserve and store sperm donated by male donors who may be anonymous. All donors are carefully screened for diseases and addictions before they are allowed to donate sperm.

Many women also struggle about whether or not to use anonymous donors or known donors. Known donors are usually someone the couple in question knows. He can be a friend or in some cases, a relative of one of the women. By using a known donor, the couple is probably aware of any serious illnesses or genetic defects he may have. The process goes faster because anonymous donor sperm has to be tested, frozen, and quarantined for six months before use. It’s also less expensive to use a known donor because they do not expect to be paid for their sperm. However, testing procedures for illnesses are less strict, meaning there is an increase in the chance of infection. Legal guidelines are also less strict as known donors can try to claim parental rights in some cases so using a known donor can complicate a relationship.

As with every medical procedure, you need to take precautions when choosing a sperm donor. Make sure that the bank tests for such diseases like herpes, sickle cell anemia, hepatitis, HIC, cystic fibrosis, and others. Look into the sperm bank’s background and make sure it has a long history of excellent results. Find out how the bank stores and ships its sperm. These are some basic precautions that need to be taken before you begin any work with a sperm bank.

Selecting a Sperm Bank and Donor

There are three main methods of artificial insemination. With homologous insemination, sperm is washed, separated to improve its mobility, and then placed in a cup right at the cervix during ovulation. With intracervical insemination, or ICI, the best sperm is collected, placed into a catheter and then passed directly into the cervical canal. Often, people use a combination of these two methods. Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, typically yields better results. Just before a woman ovulates, the sperm is washed and spun with a sample of the male donor’s blood which gets rid of the semen, leaving only the sperm. The best sperm are then placed into a catheter and placed directly into the uterus.

There are things women can do to help improve their chances of conceiving. Firstly, they have to watch their weight as women within a healthy weight range for their size have an easier time conceiving. Don’t crash diet as it will ruin an ovulation cycle, making it more difficult to conceive. Instead, try an organic diet which is free from chemicals that can make it more difficult to conceive. There are vitamin supplements like folic acid that are helpful. Exercise in moderation but avoid high-impact exercises like running or step aerobics that can disrupt the menstrual cycle.

Most artificial insemination attempts cost between $300 and $500, although IVF is much more expensive, at around $8,000 per attempt. The success rate is typically low, between 10 to 20 percent, so multiple attempts are usually needed. Other fees are also common such as sperm washing, which can be around $100 per run and even typical $30 fees for doctor visits. Insurance coverage varies by state and company. Some states require companies to fully cover it but others cover only parts or none of the procedure at all.

In the cases of anonymous donors, all parental rights are stripped from the donor. However, the law is still divided on whether or not to award parental rights to the partner of a lesbian who gives birth. In some cases, she is free to apply to adopt but in many cases, the partner has no legal rights to the child. When known donors are used, the situation can get even more complicated. Unless he gives up his parental rights, he can apply for visitation and custody of the child in question.

Adoption laws for lesbians vary from state to state. There are different types of adoption as well. Single-parent adoption is where an unmarried person applies to adopt. Joint adoption occurs when an unmarried couple petitions to adopt. Second-parent adoption occurs when one parent already has legal rights and a second person applies to receive parental rights. Second parent adoptions are often prohibited for lesbian couples.

Disclaimer: The information provided within this site is not meant to be a substitute for a medical doctor's opinion. This site is for informational purposes ONLY. Please check with your medical practitioner before any type of treatment or prevention method is started.

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