Same-Sex Family Building For Moms To Be

The decision to grow your family can be overwhelming - for anyone. For members of the LGBTQ community, biological family building has its own set of challenges and joys. Our own Dr. Mark Leondires learned about them firsthand when he built his own family through surrogacy, and now strives to educate patients, staff, and employers about LGBTQ families through our Gay Parents To Be program.

Learn more about Gay Parents To Be here.

Gay Parents To Be is made possible by the staff, resources, and laboratory at RMA of Connecticut, where we combine modern science and medicine with our dedicated team approach to help you build the family of your dreams. Here at RMA of Connecticut, we are proud to provide outstanding fertility care to all patients, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Family Building Starts Here

If you are ready to begin the process of family building, we encourage you to check with your insurance carrier to determine whether or not you need a referral from your primary care physician or OB/GYN. Once you are ready to schedule your first appointment, click here to contact us.

During your first visit, we will discuss your family building goals and health history. We will explain your treatment options and make arrangements for any medical testing your physician prescribes. Your patient care team will also describe the process of using a sperm donor to achieve pregnancy, your options for choosing a donor, and the different pathways to parenthood available for LGBTQ moms.

What are my treatment options for conceiving?

Most moms-to-be will need to choose a sperm donor in order to conceive. You have three main options: a known donor (family member or friend), an anonymous donor through a sperm bank, or an open or identity release donor, who gives your child the option to contact them after turning 18.

When it comes to treatments, there are several options for family building for single women or same-sex couples – your treatment plan will be personalized for you, based on your health history and fertility levels.

Insemination: This is the process by which sperm is placed into a woman’s reproductive tract to achieve pregnancy. The procedure involves concentrating semen into a small volume, and placing it into the uterus. This process is also referred to as intrauterine insemination, or IUI. Learn more about IUI here.
IVF with one partner’s eggs: IVF is one of the most successful fertility treatment options available. In this process, one partner would take injectable medication and undergo a procedure known as an egg retrieval. Their eggs would then be combined with donor sperm in the laboratory to grow embryos, which would then be placed into their uterus to achieve a pregnancy. Learn more about IVF for moms-to-be here.
Reciprocal IVF: With reciprocal in vitro fertilization, one partner’s eggs are combined with donor sperm to create embryos, and then the other partner carries and delivers the pregnancy. For female couples, this is a wonderful way that both partners can participate in the process of bringing a child into their home. Learn more about reciprocal IVF here.

You will also work with a reproductive attorney to ensure your family building experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible and that your family is legally protected against any unforeseen complications.unfores

Is there financial support for same-sex family building?

RMA of CT created Gay Parents To Be as a resource and a starting point, where you can find answers to any question about LGBTQ family building. Gay Parents To Be was specifically created for your family, by our family, and has articles, videos, guides, and events to help you learn more and feel empowered to start your own journey.

Visit our events page to learn more about our LGBTQ+ groups and programs. Our virtual LGBTQ support group is free of charge and welcomes patients in all stages of the process—from thinking about moving forward using an egg or sperm donor to beginning your cycle and, finally, parenting.

What type of support does RMACT offer same-sex familes?

RMACT created GayParentsToBe.com where you can find answers to your questions about building a family with your partner. GayParentsToBe has many resources specifically created for your growing family as well as regularly added education information.

You can also visit the Third Party Reproduction drop in support group. This group is free of charge and welcomes patients in all stages of the process—from thinking about moving forward using an egg and/or sperm donor to choosing a donor to beginning your cycle and finally, parenting.

Same-Sex Family Building For Moms To Be

Family Building Starts Here

Your patient care team will describe the process of using donor sperm to achieve pregnancy, your options for choosing a donor, and the different pathways to parenthood available for LGBTQ moms.

What are my treatment options for conceiving?

You will also work with a reproductive attorney to ensure your family building experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible and that your family is legally protected against any unforeseen complications.

Is there financial support for same-sex family building?

Want to learn more about the costs of fertility treatment?

What type of support does RMACT offer same-sex familes?

Our program is designed to include activities proven to help you improve you achieve an improved sense of wellbeing while family building. Your options include:

Acupuncture

Fertile Yoga

Nutrition

Patient Portal

Fertile Counseling

Support Groups

Ladies Night In

Gay Parenting Voices

We encourage you to try as many programs as you like to find what truly works for you.

Start your story with us today.