Using donor sperm and embryo transfer for a same sex couple
For same sex couples or individuals, IVF treatment with donor program is the only way they can create a family of their own. There are many considerations involved.
Using Donor Sperm for IVF
Michelle is 34 and Lisa is 36, and they have been in a relationship together for five years.
They have both always known they wanted children, and they have decided Lisa will go through the IVF cycle so her eggs can be collected and fertilised with the donor sperm. Lisa will also carry the baby. After considering the implications and asking their friends, they also decide to use a clinic recruited sperm donor (that is, the sperm donor is provided by the IVF clinic).
Having heard that Melbourne IVF has one of the most comprehensive donor programs in Australia, they make an appointment with a fertility specialist who organises screening blood tests for both partners.
The Patient Liaison Administrators arrange a new patient appointment with the nurses and administrative staff, as well as two counselling sessions.
Fertility Treatment Considerations
Same sex female couples will need donor sperm to conceive their baby, and they can decide whether they want to ask a friend to help them or use a clinic recruited donor. They will need at least two counselling sessions as part of the process. The decision to use a clinic recruited sperm donor has many considerations, and you can read more about these on our donor program pages.
Lisa and Michelle’s specialist explains they can expect a 50% to 85% chance of falling pregnant within a 3 month period via IVF using fresh and frozen embryos.
They have an appointment with the fertility nurse to discuss all details of their upcoming treatment. They then choose from a series of sperm donor profiles, and Lisa begins her first cycle of IVF treatment.
Lisa’s eggs are collected in a simple procedure at East Melbourne Day Hospital, and are then fertilised with the donor sperm. The resulting embryo is then placed back into Lisa’s uterus 2 days later, in a procedure called an embryo transfer at the same day hospital.
Two weeks later Lisa has a pregnancy test at her nearest Melbourne IVF clinic, and the results are positive. She and Michelle are now on their journey to parenthood together.
Typical Costs for IVF using Donor Sperm
Using clinic recruited donor sperm for your IVF treatment typically costs $2863.99 (out of pocket) for 1 treatment with private health insurance and $3021.29 (out of pocket) without. The out of pocket costs are based on the assumption that the private health insurance covers egg collection and embryo transfer procedures.
This includes pre-treatment appointments and tests, medicine and the treatment itself.
Your costs will vary, depending on your treatment plan, your Medicare safety net and your health insurance fund. If you’d like to find out more, talk with our Public Liaison Co-ordinator by calling 1800 111 483 or Email Us.
