# lesbian couple looking to have baby **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445 "2011-11-10T00:01:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lisa7722](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9bd4f/32.png) [@lisa7722](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisa7722)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/1 "2011-11-10T00:01:38Z")
hi all just wondering if any one has any info on fertility clinics for lesbians as myself and my partner are looking to start a family so if anyone can help with web address, prices etc it would be a great help also living in Ireland but looking for clinics in the UK;) ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/2 "2011-11-10T00:56:04Z")
Best of luck, but I think you’d be better off posting this to the [Marketplace](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=35) or [Mundane Stuff](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=4) (though I’d say your question does have gravity). Unless Cecil did an article on fertility clinics. Or maybe there’s some sort of Stonewall like site to help you? ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/3 "2011-11-10T01:20:19Z")
\ Moved CCC \> IMHO \ ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/4 "2011-11-10T02:37:34Z")
You can also check out Fertility Friend (you need to pay to access the message boards). There are a few active lesbian couples in the message boards doing donor IUI’s, and there is an entire section for gay and lesbian pregnancy and adoption. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/5 "2011-11-10T03:01:16Z")
_Boom-Chicka-Wow-Wow, Walka-Walka-Walka_ ---
**Author:** ![Neeps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a183cd/32.png) [@Neeps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neeps)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/6 "2011-11-10T06:56:57Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > You can also check out Fertility Friend (you need to pay to access the message boards). There are a few active lesbian couples in the message boards doing donor IUI’s, and there is an entire section for gay and lesbian pregnancy and adoption. [FertilityFriends.co.uk](http://FertilityFriends.co.uk) has a free message board, with a [LGBT section](http://www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=398.0) where you might find some UK specific info. It also has info on specific clinics in the UK. The [HFEA website](http://www.hfea.gov.uk/) has a lot of information about all the clinics in the UK (success rates etc), and it helped me decide where to go. If you are in Ireland, you may be able to get to Glasgow easily. This is where I had treatment ([GCRM](http://www.gcrm.co.uk/)) and I can highly recommend them. They have been fantastic and we have just started treatment there again to try for a second child. They have info on pricing for [donor sperm](http://www.gcrm.co.uk/downloads/DonorSpermAvailability.pdf). If you need any more info about this clinic, just pm me. They are great at answering your questions too, so emailing them directly is also a good option for specifics. Best of luck! ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/7 "2011-11-10T07:43:50Z")
> [@Neeps](#): > > If you are in Ireland, you may be able to get to Glasgow easily. This is where I had treatment ([GCRM](http://www.gcrm.co.uk/)) and I can highly recommend them. They have been fantastic and we have just started treatment there again to try for a second child. I can’t offer any info about IVF in the UK, although happy to answer questions about antagonist cycles and ICSI if you have any - best of luck. And not to thread hijack, but **Neeps** , will be thinking about you! ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/8 "2011-11-10T13:33:49Z")
London lesbians seem to favour the [Women’s Clinic](http://www.londonwomensclinic.com/) in Harley Street. I know someone who recently had successful IVF treatment and was able to choose from a range of anonymous donors. No idea what it costs, but I don’t imagine it’s cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/9 "2011-11-10T15:28:52Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > London lesbians seem to favour the [Women’s Clinic](http://www.londonwomensclinic.com/) in Harley Street. I know someone who recently had successful IVF treatment and was able to choose from a range of anonymous donors. No idea what it costs, but I don’t imagine it’s cheap. My understanding is that anonymous donation is [prohibited](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4397249.stm) in the UK. A child thus conceived will have the right, at age 18, to learn the donor’s identity. ---
**Author:** ![Septima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Septima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Septima)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/10 "2011-11-10T15:58:01Z")
[QUOTE=Tom Tildrum] My understanding is that anonymous donation is prohibited in the UK. A child thus conceived will have the right, at age 18, to learn the donor’s identity. [/QUOTE] They would still be anonymous from the POW of the parent-to-be about to choose from the list. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/11 "2011-11-10T16:22:14Z")
> [@Septima](#): > > They would still be anonymous from the \*POW \*of the parent-to-be about to choose from the list. Wow. Adoption rules in the UK are intense. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/12 "2011-11-10T19:17:10Z")
If you have no known fertility issues, sometimes a good friend can make a “donation.” I know of a lesbian couple who had a child recently in just that fashion. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/13 "2011-11-10T19:30:49Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > If you have no known fertility issues, sometimes a good friend can make a “donation.” > > I know of a lesbian couple who had a child recently in just that fashion. > ~VOW Er, hopefully they had a lawyer involved in that. Your friend is on the hook for any future child support payments, should something happen and the lesbian couple decides to demand it. I also hope they all got tested for STD’s and genetic abnormalities first too. This type of situation really isn’t a great idea for anyone involved, including the child. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/14 "2011-11-10T21:06:06Z")
To EmanJ: I’m sure an attorney would be a great idea. However, this is one of the times where I figure it’s really none of my business and I’ll keep my yap shut. The new mommy is the daughter of a very close childhood friend. Her coming out had the potential to cause a great deal of family upheaval, and there was even concern that the future great-grandmother might respond with a heart attack. The news of both the homosexuality and the pregnancy were received exceedingly well by almost everyone, and right now the rejoicing of the new baby is primary. The couple were married during the brief window of opportunity in California three or so years ago. And one of the spouses has an extremely generous health plan, so the other spouse and the pregnancy and the baby have all been covered by health insurance. IMHO, that’s a tremendous plus. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![iamtheonlyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ee59a6/32.png) [@iamtheonlyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamtheonlyjoe)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2011, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/15 "2011-11-11T10:15:46Z")
> [@lisa7722](#): > > hi all just wondering if any one has any info on fertility clinics for lesbians as myself and my partner are looking to start a family so if anyone can help with web address, prices etc it would be a great help also living in Ireland but looking for clinics in the UK;) My daughter and her partner have had two babies over the last 2 1/2 years … it’s been a great success, probably v expensive in the early stages, but a happy ending. They would recommend UCH hospital in London. My only misgiving is that I would prefer the children not to have an anonymous sperm donor. regards [iamtheonlyjoe@gmail.com](mailto:iamtheonlyjoe@gmail.com) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/16 "2011-11-12T14:51:46Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > Er, hopefully they had a lawyer involved in that. Your friend is on the hook for any future child support payments, should something happen and the lesbian couple decides to demand it. > > I also hope they all got tested for STD’s and genetic abnormalities first too. > > This type of situation really isn’t a great idea for anyone involved, including the child. Relevant SD article here [Can a sperm donor be forced to pay child support?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2883/can-a-sperm-donor-be-forced-to-pay-child-support) ---
**Author:** ![AndyLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@AndyLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyLee)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/17 "2011-11-12T16:40:11Z")
That’s funny you mention this, because I was just talking to a baby the other day, that was specifically asking to be adopted by a lesbian couple ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lesbian-couple-looking-to-have-baby/602445/18 "2011-11-12T20:48:10Z")
Similar story here [Local Woman Educates Others On Sperm Bank Alternative](http://www.10news.com/news/29751002/detail.html) San Diegan Beth Gardner Helps Start Website To Help In Sperm Donation Process