Same Sex Parenting: Where To Look for an Egg Donor?

Same-sex couples who want to become parents have several avenues to pursue when looking for egg donors. Finding a surrogate for gays is a challenging task as couples want to know the answers to several questions before they make their final choice. Once they get the answers the need and want, couples will gladly choose an egg donor who will provide 50% of the child’s genetics. Let’s find out where gay couples can go to find an egg donor.

Fertility clinics

The benefits of choosing a fertility clinic are many. Gay couples can work closely with clinics that specialize in finding surrogates and egg donors for same-sex families. The best fertility clinics walk their patients and customers through the process, while answering questions and delivering on special requests.

Some fertility clinics have egg donor programs designed to help same-sex couples. The donors are vetted through pre-screening appointments with social workers. After the donors are screened, the social workers conduct similar sessions with gay couples. Most donors and recipients live within a few hours of the clinic, so no one has to travel long distances to start a new family.

On the flip side, many fertility clinics have small donor pools, making them less diverse than other options.

Surrogacy agencies

Finding an egg donor is only one part of the equation. Not all egg donors want to carry the baby for gay couples. So, gay couples often have two steps in their search for an egg donor. They might be able to find a surrogate who will also donate her egg, but that can be more difficult than finding a separate egg donor and a surrogate.

Gay couples must be patient and understand that they could spend years trying to find a surrogate and an egg donor. It’s a good idea to be open-minded, as you could be surprised at how long the process takes. Many gay couples keep their options open regarding adoption if they cannot find a woman to carry the baby.

Donor egg banks

Some gay couples turn to donor egg banks or agencies. These organizations work closely with the women who want to donate their eggs. Egg banks will find and screen women to find donors from all backgrounds and experiences. Couples might have to travel to different states to access a donor egg bank, but the banks usually have a variety of options for gay couples – especially if they want a child with a special ethnicity or background.

Friends or relatives

Some gay couples will ask friends or distant relatives to be surrogates and/or egg donors. Despite knowing the egg donor or surrogate, they will still need to go through a screening process to learn about any potential genetic issues. It’s a good idea to work with a lawyer, mental health professional, and social worker to determine that everyone knows their role in the process. While this situation is often the most likely to go as planned, it is through the clear expectations of all involved that makes it so.