Family Building Options

LGBTQIA+ Family Building

NRM Vermont offers a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ and single parents by choice. Our team has years of experience helping the LGBTQIA+ community build their families. Whether through donor sperm IUI, reciprocal IVF, or the use of the fresh egg donors and gestational carrier, your journey will be guided by our dedicated Third-Party team from start to finish.

We Offer Multiple Fertility Options

Come in to discuss your hopes with a provider and to make a personalized fertility plan designed to deliver the family you have always wanted.

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What is Third-Party Reproduction?

Third-party reproduction refers to the involvement of a third person (outside of the Intended Parent or Parents) to create a baby.
This type of collaborative family building may involve the use of sperm donors for IUI or IVF, egg donors, and/or gestational carriers.
Sperm and egg donors provide their gametes to help intended parents build their family. These donors may be de-identified (formerly referred to as 'anonymous') or directed/known-to-you donors, all of whom undergo thorough screening.
A gestational carrier (GC) agrees to carry the child for another individual or couple, but does not contribute any genetic material.

All Collaborative Family Building Options are Available at NRM

Intrauterine insemination is a minimally invasive procedure where sperm is placed directly into a uterus. Many people choose sperm from an anonymous donor; there are a number of sperm banks across the country where patients can choose a donor based on physical characteristics, family history, academic achievements, and many other criteria. Here at NRM we also will assist with directed sperm donation as well. Schedule a consultation to discuss what option best fits your needs!

Reciprocal IVF is another option for couples where both partners who have a uterus and/or ovaries, and therefore, together they can each be part of their child's journey.
One partner contributes the genetic material by going through medicated stimulation of the ovaries, and undergoes egg retrieval to make embryos.
The other partner has that embryo transferred into their uterus and carries the pregnancy.

Donor egg IVF offers a healthy and successful option to build your family. NRM sets high standards for donor selection: All donors undergo comprehensive screening, including assessments of fertility reserve, genetic risks, psychological background, as well as medical and infectious disease risks. Once you choose an egg donor, retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm to create embryos. An embryo is then implanted into a prepared uterus - whether yours or a gestational carrier.
Please see our donor egg page for more information on this wonderful program!

Build your family with young, healthy egg donors, and proven, healthy surrogates in the legally and logistically favorable state of Vermont. NRM offers you a streamlined family-building journey; you are supported from start to finish with ethical, transparent care.
Our expert team includes fertility providers, surrogacy coordinators, attorneys, and counselors to help you navigate this incredible path to parenthood.

Pre-transition fertility preservation is available at NRM for individuals wishing to save their sperm or eggs for future fertility. If you haven't yet started your transition, meet with our providers to discuss fertility preservation options prior to starting medications. We have options for those who wish to consider fertility preservation but have already begun their medical transition.

Options differ depending on the direction of transition, the assigned sex of the current/future partner, and stage in the transition process.

Sperm/Gametes

Banking a frozen sperm sample prior to starting hormonal treatment is ideal.
If hormonal treatment has already begun, it is possible to assess sperm to see if there is any available sperm to freeze; if not, you may choose to temporarily stop treatment to allow sperm production to resume. Sperm can then be collected and frozen for banking.

Eggs/Oocytes

Banking eggs prior to starting testosterone therapy can preserve gametes for future fertility.
Individuals may undergo egg retrieval, fertilize the eggs with sperm, and create embryos. Embryos can then be cryopreserved, or implanted into a uterus to create a pregnancy.
Individuals who have not undergone surgical transition and still have a uterus can also choose to carry a pregnancy prior to transition; for this option, HRT treatment is paused for pregnancy.