LGBTQ2S FAMILY BUILDING
LGBTQ2S Family Building Options
At Blossom we are committed to helping all patients, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, with their desired fertility path. We partner with Olive Fertility Centre in Vancouver for patients (or their surrogates) that will be using IVF.
Every family building journey is unique, and we will discuss all your options with you.
There are various approaches to treatment, depending on your circumstances. These include using:
- An egg donor (someone you know or an anonymous donor)
- A sperm donor (someone you know or an anonymous donor)
- A gestational carrier (someone to carry the pregnancy)
You will need a counselling session if you are considering donor sperm, donor eggs, or gestational carriers.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) with Donor Sperm
Currently, we can offer our patients intrauterine insemination (IUI) with fresh or frozen banked sperm. We have started working with some sperm banks that provide frozen sperm and have catalogues that are accessible online.
Choosing parenthood often involves many complex decisions, but the process of donor sperm insemination itself is quite straightforward. For couples and individuals using donor sperm, the process involves:
- Initial consultation
- Fertility evaluation
- DI orientation and counseling session
- Donor selection
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Your consultation
At your consultation you will meet with Dr. Johnson and have a physical exam. If you have a partner, they are also encouraged to come to the appointment.
Our medical team includes a full-time physician and registered nurse, and we have a teaching relationship with UNBC and UBC to teach junior doctors and medical students who sometimes shadow us in the office. You will absolutely be given a chance to decide if learners are able to play a role in your care, and we will accommodate your preference. Please just let us know!
Your Orientation
At the DI orientation, you will learn about the donor screening process, how to predict ovulation, optimal timing of insemination, and how to select donor sperm. After you have selected your donor (DI), you will move on to IUI.
Gestational Carrier
Couples pursuing fertility with gestational carriers can also take advantage of our ultrasound services to aid in preparation for IVF and embryo transfer. The handling of eggs and frozen embryos requires lab and medical support from Olive Fertility Centre in Vancouver (olivefertility.com), so, for the latter part of treatment, clients will need to travel to Vancouver.
Every path to parenthood is different but here are some common scenarios.
Lesbian Women – Find out more
Gay Men – Find out more
Gender Diversity – Find out more