Partner IVF is a type of IVF for lesbian couples that lets both partners become physically involved in the conception of their baby.
In this option, one partner provides the eggs, which are fertilised with donor sperm, and the other carries the pregnancy.
Partner IVF is a very appealing concept for many lesbian couples. Some couples may use this type of treatment to conceive their second child, with their original sperm donor and carrier roles reversed. The beauty of it is that each partner gets to both experience childbearing and have a biological connection to a child.
The first step is to book an initial consultation with one of our accredited specialists. To do this, you’ll need to be referred from your GP. To make things easier, you can download a Referral Form and hand it to your GP to fill in. You’ll be able to claim some of the consultation cost back through Medicare.
To book your initial consultation, simply call us on 1300 222 623 or complete an online Book an Appointment form and a member of our advice team will get back to you.
At Rainbow Fertility, our specialists have extensive experience in helping create LGBTQIA+ families. Feel free to contact our friendly team to learn more about our donor program and the fertility treatment options available to you.
Please click on the image below to view in full and download our infographic.
You and your partner will be required to attend a consultation with a specialist. During this appointment, the medical procedures will be explained to you and all relevant medical details checked.
These tests are required as part of the routine screening process before treatment. You and your partner will need to have the blood tests completed and the results will be forwarded to your specialist.
It is mandatory for women who are considering using donated sperm to attend a counselling session with their partner. Counselling provides the opportunity to discuss treatment on a more personal level. It allows couples to raise issues that are more private, such as individual concerns, relationship difficulties, or current life situations that may affect their experience of treatment.
Before beginning your treatment, you will also be required to have a patient education presentation. This presentation may be self-directed or done by the clinic fertility nurses. Information will be provided about your treatment cycle, medications and their side effects, and any day-to-day requirements. You (and your partner) will be given consent forms to fill in and sign. Consent forms are required to be returned before commencement of the treatment.
Before treatment can begin, the specialist and fertility nurses will do a final review of the counselling reports, blood tests and consent forms to ensure everything is ready.
A healthy lifestyle is recommended before and during treatment. This includes a sensible approach to diet, exercise and alcohol. Adopt a healthy, balanced diet with adequate protein, carbohydrates and fibre. Before treatment you will be advised to stop smoking and restrict your alcohol consumption.
The first step is to choose a sperm donor, who can be either a known one or clinic-recruited (unknown donor). Lesbian couples who are considering Partner IVF will have to decide which type of sperm donor is right for them. For help in choosing the right option for you, visit our Donor Program page.
Once a sperm donor is chosen and he has gone through the routine medical assessment, detailed screening, consent forms and counselling, the medical procedure can start. Here’s what happens:
For full details on the IVF treatment procedure and the lowdown on what to expect, head to our IVF page.
Before you agree to undergo this type of treatment, you should take time to decide which partner will contribute the egg and which partner will carry the pregnancy. Carefully consider the pros and cons of each role and talk openly with each other about your expectations for the pregnancy.
PLEASE NOTE:
Following your consultation with one of our specialists, one of our patient services staff will contact you to organise for a comprehensive and individualised Patient Information Pack to be sent to you. All aspects of your fertility treatment, including the cost structure, will be included in the information sent to you.
If your treating specialist is able to diagnose medical infertility, Medicare rebates can be claimed for Donor Sperm Artificial Insemination and IVF cycles. Without a diagnosis of medical infertility, the cost of treatment will not be eligible for Medicare rebates.
For detailed information about treatment costs visit our Treatment Pricing page and to learn more about the payment plan options available, visit our page on Payment Plans.
In the meantime, if you have any further questions and would like more information, please contact our advice team info@rainbowfertility.com.auor email info@rainbowfertility.com.au
Call: 1300 222 623
email: info@rainbowfertility.com.au
