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We help same sex couples with their goal of starting a family
If you are in the same-sex relationship and wish to start a family together, IVI offers a comprehensive range of fertility treatments to assist you.
IVI has over 25 years experience performing fertility treatments globally and helps same-sex couples in clinics across Europe and beyond. Our UK clinics benefit from all IVI international research and technique advancements, bringing you a high standard of care, using the best scientifically proven methods and equipment available.
The most common treatments chosen by female same-sex couples are intrauterine insemination using semen from a donor, in vitro fertilisation (IVF), egg and sperm donation or the transfer of pre-embryos.
Male same-sex couples can use a donated egg for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and then a surrogate to carry the baby until it’s born or use an egg from the surrogate. The IVI clinic team will guide you through the treatments available and the legal regulations surrounding this process.
Find out more about the legal side of fertility treatments for same-sex couples on the HFEA site https://www.hfea.gov.uk/i-am/same-sex-couples/
IVI UK clinics are all HFEA licensed, therefore all treatments are regulated by HFEA and the donor used will have no legal rights or responsibilities to any children born using their sperm, egg or embryo donation.
When the child reaches 18 they may contact the donor if they wish, but this doesn’t change the legal status of the donor. Before that, at 16 the child (or the parent on their behalf) can request the donor’s non-identifiable information. This information is registered with the HFEA and can be requested either from the HFEA or the IVI clinic that carried out the treatment.
Donations used in a HEFA regulated clinic are strictly regulated, screened and tested (both the donor and the sperm) to reduce the risks associated with transmitting diseases. HFEA regulations also provide legal a clear legal position for all parties.
Sperm, eggs and embryos are selected based on a range of factors, helping you to closely match the babies features to yours as a couple.
Alternatively, you can always use sperm or eggs from someone you know, the same HFEA regulations will apply as long as the treatment is performed in a HFEA registered clinic.
All of the sperm and eggs used at any licensed clinic in the UK come from screened donors and have been tested for defects or anomalies. All clinics are regulated by the HFEA. Even if you decide to use sperm from a known donor, it will have to go through the standard screening process. This helps reduce the risk of passing on diseases.
When choosing a donor, the sperm or egg bank can provide non-identifiable information about the potential donor such as: