Same Sex Couples
The desire to be a parent is common to many people — gay, straight or single. At Genesis we are an inclusive, caring, confidential clinic whose goal is to help you grow your family. We were the first clinic in BC to help same sex couples and over the past 15 years we have helped thousands of same sex couples become parents – more than any other clinic in western Canada.
Donor sperm is obtained from an anonymous donor through a sperm bank or from a known donor.
Anonymous donor sperm: in Canada there is only one sperm bank and it is located in Toronto, Ontario because in 2004 the Human Reproduction Act was passed by our federal government. This act prohibits sperm donors from being paid to provide sperm/semen. Consequently most sperm banks have closed. For this reason the vast majority of our anonymous donor sperm is acquired from reputable sperm banks in the USA and Europe.
Known donor sperm: known sperm donors require the same level of testing as anonymous donors. This process involves a semen analysis, disease testing, and infection testing. The sperm is quarantined until all testing is negative. This takes 6-8 months before known donor sperm can be used. While it is more complicated to use than anonymous donor sperm we are happy to help guide you through the process of using a known sperm donor.
While most of the couples we help conceive are lesbians through donor sperm insemination, we also help gay men. Gay men require a woman to act as a surrogate. For more information, see the Surrogacy page on this website.
Donor insemination for Lesbian Couples
Preparing for donor sperm insemination itself is straightforward.
There are four steps:
1. Initial consultation with a Genesis physician
2. Fertility evaluation
3. Donor sperm orientation with Wendy Baker, RN
4. A counseling session
5. Donor sperm purchase
Then you will be ready to get started with monthly inseminations with donor sperm.
Initial consultation
At the initial consultation your Genesis physician will review your medical history and recommend a fertility evaluation. Many couples wonder why they need a fertility evaluation as a same sex couple. Once you’ve decided to embark on donor sperm insemination you become emotionally, medically and financially invested. We believe it’s best to know that you have a reasonably good chance to conceive before embarking on donor sperm insemination as approximately 1 in 6 lesbian women will have a fertility issue.
The recommended fertility testing is a blood test and an x-ray called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). These can be arranged by your Genesis physician at your initial consultation or prior to this visit by one of our secretaries.
DI Orientation
Donor insemination (DI), often called “artificial insemination,” is a term describing a process of placing frozen/thawed sperm from a donor into a woman’s uterus at the time of ovulation.
At the DI orientation you will learn about the donor screening process, how to select your donor, how to predict ovulation and the optimal timing of insemination.
Counseling Session
Health Canada requests that all couples, gay or straight, who plan to use donor sperm have a session with a psychologist. In this session you will discuss the emotional aspects of using donor sperm, the timing and significance of disclosing the process to your child and other issues.
Once these steps have been completed, vials of sperm are purchased and shipped to Genesis. We store the sperm until the time of ovulation when it is thawed and inseminated into the woman on the day of ovulation.
For more information on donor insemination, see the Donor Insemination page.
Events
Queer Women Building Families: Legal Basics
Having babies or considering parenthood? Using anonymous or known donors? Come to this free workshop by Natasha Del Bianco, Barrister and Solicitor, to learn some useful legal basics.
Date and Time: June 28 from 7pm to 8pm
Where: Family Activity Room (across from the library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street
RSVP: Not required
Questions: Please contact Natasha@dominionlaw.ca
Resources
There are numerous resources that can help you on your journey to learn more about same sex parenting: