Family Building for LGBTQ+ Dads-to-Be

#1 Choose Fertility Clinic

Your clinic is where three key elements of this process will come together to grow your family: you, your egg donor, and your surrogate. Trusting your providers and feeling connected with their medical expertise, philosophy, and communication is important to the long-term success of your fertility journey. 

#2 Consultation & Testing

The initial consultation is where you get to ask all your questions and get a first impression of how the practice responds to your concerns and demonstrates their competency. Your doctor will then recommend specific fertility testing for you and your partner (if applicable) to get started.

#3 Select Egg Donor

Choosing an egg donor is a little bit like online dating. You will sift through profiles, baby pictures, and even videos made by the donors to pick out the traits you most value and hope will be passed onto your baby. After all, your egg donor is contributing 50% of your future child’s genetic makeup!

#4 Match with Surrogate

You have a few options when it comes to choosing a gestational carrier (also referred to as a surrogate). In some cases, you may choose a friend or relative as your gestational carrier. Surrogacy agencies are a great option for dads-to-be seeking expert help navigating this complex relationship. Illume Fertility works with trusted agencies throughout the country and can help you find the right one for you.

#5 IVF Cycle

Your sperm is healthy and you’ve picked your egg donor—now it’s time to create embryos! The IVF process will combine your sperm with your donor’s egg and then transfer the resulting embryo into your surrogate’s healthy uterus. It sounds simple when reduced to a single sentence, but there’s a complex process involved that may require patience from dads-to-be.

#6 Pregnancy & Birth

The most exciting part! You're finally expecting a baby. Following your successful embryo transfer, your doctor will oversee her monitoring through her local clinic until 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. After that time, your gestational carrier will be discharged to her OB-GYN’s care, and after 9 months or so, you will welcome your long-awaited baby!

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