Having a baby

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One of the beautiful things about being LGBTI is that there are many different options when it comes having a baby. Admittedly, some of them are easier to achieve than others. Choosing the method that feels right for you and your partner, if you have one, is important. Adopting or fostering are two options that are frequently used to welcome a child into a family. There is also artificial insemination and surrogacy. Here, Pink Families explains what artificial insemination and surrogacy are.

Having a baby through artificial insemination

Artificial insemination is the injection of sperm (semen) into the vagina or the oviduct so that fertilization can take place.

The oviduct is the passageway between the ovaries to the outside of the body.

Insemination can be done by yourself. This is referred to as self-insemination. Self-insemination can be done in the privacy of your own home, for example.

Alternatively, someone else can inject the sperm into the body. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be done by a medical practitioner in a fertility clinic, for example.

Artificial insemination can involve using sperm from someone that is known to you (donor sperm) or using sperm from someone that you don’t know (anonymous donor sperm).

Having a baby through surrogacy

Surrogacy is another way to have a baby. Surrogacy is the process where someone has a baby with the intention of giving up their parental rights so that another individual or a couple can become the parent(s) of the child.

There are many factors to consider when exploring the option of surrogacy, including the health of the person that will carry the baby and their ability to give birth to the child.

Another important consideration is whether the surrogate will also be the genetic donor. The surrogate is the person that carries the child and gives birth to them. A genetic donor is the person who donates the egg so that fertilization can take place.

Deciding to have a baby

Deciding whether or not to have a baby is a potentially life-changing decision. Think carefully about your options so that can make the decision that is right for you.

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