Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples in Oklahoma
Parenthood is something men and women of all backgrounds dream of. Some, however, face obstacles that make it difficult to have children. Fortunately, there are options available to those who can’t have children through conventional means. Gestational surrogacy is when a woman carries and delivers a baby for someone else. The surrogate mother (or gestational carrier) is the woman who carries and delivers the baby. The intended parents are the people trying to have children through gestational surrogacy. The child is conceived in a laboratory through a process called in vitro fertilization (IVF). The intended parents usually use their own egg and sperm for the IVF, making the child theirs biologically. Once the IVF is complete, the resulting embryo is placed inside the surrogate, and the surrogate carries the child to term. Surrogacy agencies like Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma work with a variety of intended parents on a regular basis. Surrogacy for same-sex couples is a popular option for members of the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ couples often become intended parents because gestational surrogacy is the only way they can have biological children.
Gestational Surrogacy for LGBTQ+ Couples
The surrogacy process is a little more complicated for members of the LGBTQ+ community. There are three main steps to the surrogacy process: finding a surrogacy agency, getting matched to a surrogacy mother, and performing the IVF and embryo transfer. Surrogacy for a same-sex couples would have to go through an extra step, a step many straight couples don’t go through: find an egg or sperm donor.
An egg and a sperm are needed for the IVF. Two gay men can only provide the sperm, and two gay women can only provide the egg. To complete the IVF and start the surrogacy, another person needs to become involved in the process. A same-sex couple who have to find an egg donor or a sperm donor to complete IVF. They can acquire a donor through an agency, or they can ask a friend or relative to be their donor.
Reasons why LGBTQ+ Couples Choose Gestational Surrogacy
Same-sex couples may choose gestational surrogacy if having a biological connection to their child is important to them. Gestational surrogacy allows them to use their own egg or sperm.
A lesbian couple may choose gestational surrogacy if neither woman can get pregnant nor carry to term. They can use a surrogacy agency to find a surrogate mother who is young and fertile. If their eggs are healthy, they can provide them for IVF. If they want to, they can go through gestational surrogacy multiple times and have multiple children, some who are biologically related to one woman and some who are biologically related to the other woman.
A gay male couple can also go through the surrogacy process multiple times if they choose. They can have children who are related to one and children who are related to the other.
Ways LGBTQ+ Couples Stay Involved During Gestational Surrogacy
There are many ways same-sex couples can stay involved following the IVF and embryo transfer.
As the intended parents, they’ll cover the surrogate mother’s prenatal care (pre-birth medical care) costs. If the surrogate feels comfortable, they can attend the ultrasound screenings, and they can be in the room when the surrogate gives birth. Depending on the relationship they have with their surrogate mother, they can contact her or see her on a regular basis.
They can also spend time preparing their home for their new arrival. They can go shopping for clothes and toys, and they can start building a nursery.
LGBTQ+ Surrogacy at Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma
At Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma, we welcome intended parents of all kinds: black and white, gay and straight, young and old, etc. We’re committed to helping families grow regardless of their identity. Depending on their circumstances, gestational surrogacy may be the most viable option for them. Regardless of their situation, we’ll be here to discuss their options and offer them support.
If you’re a same-sex couple preparing for their surrogacy journey – or if you’re a surrogate mother interested in working with an LGBTQ+ couple – be sure to contact us.
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Oklahoma is a surrogacy and adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and a leader in the community. We assist both intended parents and gestational carriers (surrogates). Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized experience to all involved in the surrogacy process.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email
Meet the Author: Heather Valenzano is an up-and-coming content creator with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. After graduating from Iona College in 2019, she got an internship – and then a part-time job – writing blogs and managing social media accounts for Hip New Jersey, a lifestyle website owned by Long Shot Productions. She has also produced website and social media content for CommonPage, an external collaboration platform.
When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys watching crime shows like Forensic Files or posting book reviews to OnlineBookClub.org under the username “LavenderLiterature2.”
