4 Lesbian Pregnancy Options to Consider (TTC Guide)

With more pathways to parenthood than ever before, a growing number of LGBTQ+ people are starting families or want to have children.  In fact, research has found that over half of LGBTQ+ adults either have children or would like to have them.  

It’s no surprise that more and more people are exploring how lesbian couples can have a baby and what their options are.  In this post, we’ll look at 4 different lesbian pregnancy options to consider including how they work, costs involved, and most importantly, success rates.  

If you’re looking to compare lesbian pregnancy options or options for lesbians who want to get pregnant, we’ve done the legwork for you.  Read on for our guide on how lesbian couples can have a baby!

How can lesbian couples have a baby?

There are a number of options available for lesbian couples who want to have a baby and lesbians who want to get pregnant. Options to explore include artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), sperm donation, or even egg and embryo freezing (for fertility options down the line).  

For same-sex couples that don’t want to be physically pregnant that don’t there are other options including surrogacy, adoption, or fostering.  There is no right or wrong way to have a baby and in the end the path you choose to build your family will be unique to you and your situation.  There are a lot of things to consider when having a baby and factors like personal preference and cost may also play a big role. 

Lesbian pregnancy options

The main biological pregnancy options for lesbians are intruterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization. Which option you choose will depend on your age, fertility health, and of course what works best for you and your life.  

IIntrauterine insemination (IUI) 

How it works 

In this fertility procedure, concentrated motile sperm are inserted directly into a woman’s uterus in the hopes of successful fertilization.  While it’s not appropriate for all women, it is less expensive and invasive than IVF making it a popular choice.  The procedure is usually done with a fertility provider but at-home insemination is on the rise.  Home insemination works best with fertility tracking to confirm timing.   

Success rate 

Overall success rates for IUI depend on many personal factors like your age, overall fertility health, and the type of sperm used.  For women under 38 years old, the chances of conceiving through IUI with no drugs are 1 to 5 percent.  Success rates among lesbians are comparable to those of heterosexual couples.  When drugs are used to stimulate ovarian reserves, the chances of conceiving rise slightly to anywhere between 4 and 10 percent.    

How much it costs 

Costs for IUI can vary dramatically depending on what is needed in your situation.  Donor sperm, fertility medications, and even treatment procedures or monitoring will contribute to the overall cost of this procedure.  A typical cycle can range from $500 to $4000 and will depend on multiple factors including insurance coverage.

Other things to consider 

IUI may be a great route for lesbians who want to get pregnant but there may be other factors for you to consider before making your decision.  IUI usually take more time, has a higher chance of multiples per pregnancy, and ends in more miscarriages than IVF.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) 

How it works

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility procedure that involves a lab setting to fertilize an egg (or eggs) with sperm.  An IVF cycle consists of diagnostic testing, stimulating the ovaries to produce mature eggs, retrieving those eggs and fertilizing them in a laboratory before then transferring the resulting embryo(s) into the uterus.      

Success rate 

Success with IVF can depend on many factors including the causes of infertility as well as the woman’s age.  Generally the younger the woman, the higher her odds of conceiving through IVF but success rates vary depending on your age and overall health.  

How much it costs 

Due to the nature of this procedure and the medical interventions involved (like surgical egg removal) the costs for IVF can be big and for some this may be prohibitive.  According to online fertility calculators, costs can range from $4,700 to $30,000 per cycle.   

Other things to consider 

IVF is an involved procedure and the entire process can be time consuming and expensive.  Success rates vary widely and it may or may not be covered by your insurance.  Multiples are also a possibility with this procedure as it’s common that more than one embryo is transferred.  

IVF offers the unique possibility for both women to be involved with something called reciprocal IVF which means that both partners participate in the procedure by either donating eggs or carrying the pregnancy.  

Non-biological options for lesbian pregnancy

Surrogacy 

How it works 

Surrogacy is an arrangement where another woman carries the baby for the duration of the pregnancy until birth.  A traditional surrogate donates her own eggs and carries the pregnancy for someone else while a gestational carrier simply carries the pregnancy and delivers the child.    

Success rate 

Surrogacy success rates vary greatly depending on your personal situation and the health of the carrier.  Fertility centers in the US have a success rate of about 75% but that number will vary greatly depending on your own personal situation.  The health of the surrogate, eggs used, as well as other factors will all play a role.  The odds are favorable once the surrogate is actually pregnant though, with an approximately 95% chance a healthy baby will be born.    

How much it costs 

Costs for surrogacy can range greatly depending on where you live and the type of surrogacy you choose.  In some places, payment to the surrogate is illegal, but you must also take into account health care costs, legal fees, and other costs such as transportation.  One clinic even breaks down what the cost of surrogacy could look like in the US but it’s important to note these are only a guideline and your own situation will be different.   

Other things to consider 

Surrogacy isn’t a guarantee of pregnancy and the usual issues can arise like complications or even miscarriage.  The pregnancy may also result in multiples and there are legal issues to consider as well as medical and psychological screenings for the surrogate.  Pursuing surrogacy can be a complicated decision with many factors at play.       

Adoption/Fostering

How it works 

There are several types of adoption available ranging from public to private to international.  A public adoption is done through your local child welfare system whereas a private adoption is usually done through an agency.  An international adoption is where you adopt a child from another country.  

In the case of fostering, you take in a child from the foster care system on a temporary basis.  The goal in fostering is for the child to eventually be reunited with their family, but will vary on a case-by-case basis.

Success rate 

It’s hard to compare the success rates of other procedures to adoption or fostering.  Unfortunately not all jurisdictions have laws protecting discrimination based on sexual orientation and this can be a prohibitve factor.  We do know that same-sex adoption is on the rise and that same-sex couples are more likely to adopt or foster.    

How much it costs 

The costs involved in adoption or fostering will depend on the type of situation you choose.  Public adoptions usually involve little expense whereas private and international adoptions can average between $20,000 and $50,000.  Your costs will depend on the fees and travel of your specific situation.   

Other things to consider 

Not all countries allow adoptions by same-sex couples so international adoption may not be an option if you choose to reveal your sexual orientation.  The steps for becoming an adoptive parent or a foster parent can take additional time, even years, before finding a match, not to mention the emotional toll the process can take.  Every process is unique and will depend on the resources available to you.   

Things to consider with lesbian pregnancy options:

Cost

The costs for lesbian pregnancy options are quite variable depending on which route you choose.  Fees range greatly and can add up quickly with multiple procedures or appointments.  Even without assisted reproductive technology like IVF, lesbians may still need to work with lawyers or other agencies to ensure their legal rights adding additional fees to any approach.  There are grants and charities designed for LGBTQ+ family building as well as many guides to funding your lesbian pregnancy options or path to parenthood.       

Legal

Unfortunately, same-sex couples can still face legal issues when it comes to pregnancy options.  In some areas of the world same-sex parents will have the same entitelements as everyone else, whereas in other areas they are still fighting for equal rights.  You’ll want to be aware of the local laws as they apply to your situation and secure any legal ties necessary for your family.  

Medical

On paper it may seem as simple as introducing an egg to sperm, but there’s more to having a baby than that.  Medical issues with the woman or the fetus could arise, not to mention any other fertility factors at play before you are successful.    

Emotional

Regardless of how you conceive, planning for a baby can be an emotional rollercoaster.  Complicated factors can all come together to make the process emotionally taxing and it can be especially frustrating if you hit any roadblocks along the way.  Finding support for both you and your partner that you can rely on is key.          

Lesbian pregnancy FAQs