Lesbian couples with the desire to have children
Treatment options
The medical treatment method for a lesbian couple is fertilization with donated sperm. Whether it comes from a private donor or a sperm bank depends on the personal circumstances and wishes of the future parents.
Do you want an anonymous donation? Or would you not exclude the donor’s involvement in the child’s life? These questions should be discussed in detail in advance.
There is also the so-called ROPA method (“Reception of Oocytes from Partner”), in which both partners participate in the pregnancy and pass on their biological genetic material to the joint child.
In this method, the egg of one partner is fertilized with sperm from a donor and implanted into the body of the other partner. In simpler terms, this method involves donating eggs and sperm to the woman who carries out the pregnancy. Initially, only the woman who carries out the child and gives birth is considered the legal mother. If the two women are married, the partner becomes co-mother with the birth of the child.
The legal situation for lesbian couples with a desire to have children
The Embryo Protection Act provides the legal framework for reproductive medicine in Germany, according to which both egg donation and surrogacy are illegal. Thus, the ROPA method for lesbian couples is only possible abroad.
Unlike egg donation, sperm donation and insemination for lesbian couples who wish to have children is not expressly prohibited in Germany. However, if a dispute arises, the person who caused the pregnancy is considered the father. In the case of sperm donation, this would be the donor or the treating doctor in the first instance. Therefore, before any possible treatment, the legal basis of parenthood must be clarified first of all, also for a possible dispute in the future. Furthermore, in a lesbian relationship, the mother’s partner can adopt the child, but only after birth.
Further doubts are raised by the guidelines on “assisted reproduction” published by the German Medical Association, which recommends without obligation that fertility clinics and sperm banks only treat heterosexual couples.
For fear of financial responsibility, many clinics and sperm banks therefore reject lesbian couples with a desire to have children as patients, so that they usually have to rely on help abroad.
However, despite the patchy legal situation, there are also a few Fertility Centers in Germany that advise and treat lesbian couples who wish to have children. These also offer detailed information on costs, donor selection and challenges that a lesbian couple with a child wish should be prepared for.
About Fertilly
At Fertilly, we have made it our mission to accompany couples (homosexual and heterosexual) and singles on the way to fulfilling their child wish. In doing so, it is important to us to create transparency in the area of fertility services, to provide information and knowledge on the topics of pregnancy and fertility and to help you to find the most suitable Fertility Center. Through cooperation with first-class Fertility Centres and clinics in Europe, enquiries about Fertilly are given preferential treatment. This means that our patients avoid the usually long waiting times and get appointments more quickly.
If you would like more information about Fertility Centers, success rates and prices, please contact us using this questionnaire. We will advise you free of charge and without any obligation.
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Answer the first questions in the online form in order to book an appointment. This way we can better address your needs during the conversation.
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We will find the best contact person for your individual needs. Schedule 20 minutes for the consultation.
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We will introduce you to the right fertility clinic from our network, make an appointment and accompany you until your wish for a child is fulfilled.