Use of assisted reproductive technology by LGBT people: Difference between revisions

Standard IVF is the process by which the egg is removed from the ovaries and fertilized outside of the body, and then the pre-embryo is implanted into a uterus.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=MarketingInsights |title=Standard IVF |url=https://theivfcenter.com/standard-ivf/ |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=The IVF Center {{!}} Assisted Reproduction and Endocrinology |language=en-US}}</ref>   There are many steps to ensure that this process works including ovary stimulation, egg collection, fertilization, and embryo transfer.   To stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs than usual, the person must take specific hormones prescribed by a doctor.<ref name=":18" />   Then, the eggs are collected using an ultrasound-guided aspiration needle.   Once the eggs are outside the body, they are mixed with sperm in a culture dish in the hopes of fertilization.   The sperm used can come from any sperm donor (either from a sperm bank, or a known donor like a partner).   If a pre-embryo forms, it remains in the incubator for two to five days while it continues to grow and divide.   At this stage, the pre-embryo is often genetically tested to ensure that it will develop into a healthy baby.   If the embryo is deemed healthy, the next step is implantation.<ref name=":18" />   The embryos are transferred to the uterus which involves an ultrasound being used to guide a catheter through the cervix and into the uterine cavity.<ref name=":18" />

[[Partner-assisted reproduction]], or co-IVF is a method of [[Family planning|family building]] that is used by couples who both possess [[female reproductive organs]]. The method uses [[In vitro fertilisation|in vitro fertilization]] (IVF), a method that means [[Oocyte|eggs]] are removed from the [[Ovary|ovaries]], fertilized in a laboratory, and then one or more of the resulting [[embryo]]s are placed in the [[uterus]] to hopefully create a [[pregnancy]]. Reciprocal IVF differs from standard IVF in that two women are involved: the eggs are taken from one partner, and the other partner carries the pregnancy.<ref>{{Cite news | vauthors = Gilmour P | date = 6 June 2018 |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/a17851346/how-lesbian-couples-have-babies/|title=Shared motherhood: The amazing way lesbian couples are having babies |work=Cosmopolitan|access-date=21 March 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> In this way, the process is mechanically identical to IVF with [[egg donation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/co-maternity-and-reciprocal-ivf-empowering-lesbian_us_594b0f7be4b062254f3a5b69|title=Co-Maternity And Reciprocal IVF: Empowering lesbian parents with options| vauthors = Klatsky P |date=22 June 2017 |website=Huffington Post|language=en-US|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="marina">{{cite journal | vauthors = Marina S, Marina D, Marina F, Fosas N, Galiana N, Jové I | title = Sharing motherhood: biological lesbian co-mothers, a new IVF indication | journal = Human Reproduction | volume = 25 | issue = 4 | pages = 938–41 | date = April 2010 | pmid = 20145005 | doi = 10.1093/humrep/deq008 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Some advocates incorrectly assert thatUsing this process ensures that each partner is a [[biological mother]] of the child according to advocates,<ref>{{Cite book|title=Ethical dilemmas in assisted reproductive technologies|date=2011|publisher=De Gruyter| vauthors = Schenker JG |isbn=978-3-11-024021-4 |location=Berlin|oclc=763156926}}</ref> but in actualitythe strictest sense only one mother is the biological mother from a genetic standpoint and the other is a [[surrogate mother]]. However the practice has a symbolic weight greater than [[LGBT adoption]], and may create a stronger bond between mother and child than adoption.

<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |title=Reciprocal IVF {{!}} UCSF Center for Reproductive Health |url=https://crh.ucsf.edu/fertility-treatment/reciprocal-ivf |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=UCSF |language=en}}</ref> The eggs are then fertilized with donor sperm to create embryos, one of which can then be transferred to the second person's uterus. In this way, one partner contributes the genetic material and the second partner contributes the maternal environment, allowing both partners to have a profound impact on the development of the fetus and child.<ref name=":19" />   The laws around parenthood when both partners do not contribute genetic material are complicated and vary by state, so it is imperative to do research before beginning the process.<ref name=":19" />