LGBTQ+ Family Building at American Reproductive Centers (ARC)
Your path to parenthood, supported with expert and inclusive fertility care.
At American Reproductive Centers, we provide fully inclusive fertility care for lesbian couples, gay male couples, transgender individuals, and single parents by choice. Whether you’re exploring IUI, reciprocal IVF, egg donation, or gestational surrogacy, we tailor every step to your needs.
Our team has supported hundreds of LGBTQ+ families across Southern California. We’re here to guide you through the medical, legal, and emotional steps with clarity and respect.
Your next step is a consultation. We’ll explain your options, costs, timelines, and create a plan based on your goals.
LGBTQ Family Building
ARC is proud to help LGBTQ communities to achieve your dreams of parenthood! Our caring and highly competent team of professionals provide fertility solutions, medical treatment, donor sperm, surrogacy/egg donation matching services, and legal representation to ensure a smooth and successful journey to building your family.
Why Choose ARC? Let us Count the Ways!
- Our full-service fertility centers offer well-trained, compassionate staff and over 25+ years of clinical experience helping same-sex couples start their family.
- We are the only Full-Service IVF lab in the Coachella Valley for the past 16 years.
- We are sensitive to the heavy demands on our patients’ time while offering comprehensive, state-of-the-art resources to help you realize your dreams!
- We provide cutting-edge, affordable assisted reproductive treatment with caring coordination of the egg donation/surrogacy process.
- We offer a personalized, comfortable environment, making you feel confident and relaxed throughout your journey with us.
- Our CAP, AAAHC, and CLIA Certified Labs are considered some of the best in the country.
- Our IVF Laboratory was built to perfection with top-of-the-line filtration systems. Our attention to detail was rated by an independent entity as the cleanest IVF Lab in the USA.
You have questions, we have answers! Check out our FAQ!
IUI with Donor Sperm for Lesbian Couples
The simplest path to pregnancy. Donor sperm is placed directly into your uterus during ovulation.
What’s involved:
- Natural or medicated cycle monitoring
- Quick in-office insemination (feels like a pap smear)
- Pregnancy test two weeks later
Best for: Women under 35 with no known fertility issues and regular cycles.
Success rates: Approximately 10% to 15% per cycle. Most patients try 3 to 6 cycles before moving to IVF if needed.
Timeline: Each cycle takes about one month.
IVF with Donor Sperm: A Stronger Path to Pregnancy
IVF offers higher success rates and works when IUI hasn’t been successful or if you have fertility challenges like blocked tubes or diminished ovarian reserve.
What’s involved:
- Injectable medications for 10-12 days to stimulate egg production
- Egg retrieval procedure (15-20 minutes, light sedation)
- Lab fertilization with donor sperm
- Genetic testing available (PGT-A)
- Embryo transfer 5-6 days later
Success rates: Depend on age. Women under 35 have 50% to 60% success per transfer with a tested embryo. Women 35-37 have 45% to 50% success rates.
Timeline: 6 to 8 weeks from start to pregnancy test.
Reciprocal IVF: Shared Motherhood Explained
Reciprocal IVF allows both partners to participate physically in the pregnancy. One partner provides the eggs (genetic mother), and the other carries the pregnancy (birth mother).
How it works:
- Partner A undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval
- Partner B takes medications to prepare her uterus
- Eggs are fertilized with donor sperm in our lab
- A healthy embryo is transferred to Partner B
- Both mothers have a biological connection to the child
Best for: Couples who want both partners actively involved in creating their baby.
Requirements: Both partners need fertility testing. The egg provider needs a good ovarian reserve. The carrier needs a healthy uterus.
Legal note: Most states recognize both mothers as legal parents, but you’ll work with a reproductive attorney to protect your rights. We provide referrals to experienced LGBTQ+ family law attorneys.
Timeline: 8 to 10 weeks from cycle start to pregnancy test.
Surrogacy and Egg Donation for Gay Male Couples
Gay men need an egg donor and a gestational carrier (surrogate) to build their families. While this path involves more coordination, thousands of gay couples successfully become fathers every year.
The process:
- Step 1: Choose an egg donor. Select from our in-house program or an outside agency. Fresh donors provide more embryos. Frozen donor eggs are immediately available and cost less.
- Step 2: Create embryos. The donor’s eggs are fertilized with sperm from one or both partners. We can split eggs between partners so both have genetic children. Embryos undergo genetic testing and are frozen.
- Step 3: Match with a surrogate. Work with a surrogacy agency to find your gestational carrier. Matching takes 2 to 6 months. Your surrogate undergoes medical and psychological screening.
- Step 4: Legal contracts Sign agreements covering rights, compensation, and parentage before any medical procedures begin.
- Step 5: Transfer and pregnancy.y We transfer one healthy embryo to your surrogate. She receives prenatal care from her OB-GYN. You’re recognized as legal parents at birth.
Timeline: 18 to 24 months from donor selection to birth.
Investment: Our financial counselors provide detailed cost breakdowns during your consultation.
Choosing Your Sperm or Egg Donor
Sperm Donors
We work with FDA-compliant sperm banks. You’ll review detailed online profiles with physical traits, medical history, education, personality, and photos. Donors are anonymous or open (willing to be contacted when the child turns 18).
Our team guides you through selection and helps you understand donor types and banks.
Egg Donors
ARC offers an in-house egg donation program. Donors are in their 20s and early 30s and undergo extensive medical, genetic, and psychological screening.
Fresh cycles yield 10 to 20 eggs and multiple embryos. Frozen egg lots contain 6 to 8 eggs and are immediately available at a lower cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can both partners contribute genetically to our children?
Yes. For gay male couples, we can fertilize half the donor’s eggs with one partner’s sperm and half with the other’s. For lesbian couples, you can switch roles in reciprocal IVF for different children.
Do both partners need testing for reciprocal IVF?
Yes. The egg provider needs ovarian reserve testing. The carrier needs a uterine evaluation and infectious disease screening. Both need medical clearance before starting.
What if the first embryo transfer doesn't work?
If you have frozen embryos remaining, we will transfer another after your next cycle. If all embryos are used, you’ll need another retrieval. Some couples switch roles for the next cycle.
How do we find a surrogacy agency?
We provide referrals to reputable agencies specializing in LGBTQ+ surrogacy. They screen carriers, facilitate matching, coordinate evaluations, and support you throughout pregnancy.
Will both our names appear on the birth certificate?
Depends on your state. Most states allow both mothers’ names for reciprocal IVF. For gay couples using surrogacy, pre-birth orders establish both fathers as legal parents. Your reproductive attorney guides you through your state’s requirements.
Do you offer counseling support?
Yes. We connect you with fertility counselors experienced in LGBTQ+ family building who can help you navigate decisions and emotions.
Do you work with single parents?
Absolutely. We support single women using donor sperm and single men using egg donors and surrogates.
Take the Next Step Toward Parenthood
Your family-building journey deserves expert support and a plan tailored to your needs. In your consultation, we’ll review your medical history, outline the safest and most effective options, and map out a timeline that matches your goals. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your next steps and what to expect.
Where Success is Measured in Heartbeats!
Our Locations:
1180 N Indian Canyon Dr. Suites 301/303, Palm Springs, CA 92262
1-760-346-4334
255 Terracina Blvd. – Suite 202, Redlands, CA 92373
1-760-346-4334
(An ARC affiliate)
330 S Magnolia Ave suite 201, El Cajon, CA 92020
1-619-768-1110