Lesbian Pregnancy Options: IUI, Reciprocal IVF & Future Possibilities

Many lesbian couples dream of starting a family and wonder what pregnancy options are available. At Diers Fertility Clinic, we often receive questions from same-sex couples about how they can have a biological child together.

While it’s not currently possible for two women to share genetic contributions to a child, several effective and safe fertility treatments can help lesbian couples become parents. Exciting scientific advancements also hint at future possibilities.

In this blog, we’ll explore the most common fertility options for lesbian couples and the potential for shared genetic parenthood in the future.

Fertility treatment options to reach pregnancy

What are the best fertility treatment options for two women who want to have a baby?

The two most common options are:

• IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

• IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation), including Reciprocal IVF (ROPA method)

Let’s take a closer look.

IUI – Intrauterine Insemination for Lesbian Pregnancy

What is IUI?

IUI is a fertility treatment where donor sperm is inserted directly into the uterus of one partner during her ovulation period. The goal is for the sperm to fertilise an egg naturally.

IUI is a simple, non-invasive method that often doesn’t require hormone stimulation. This treatment is one of the most popular and affordable fertility options for lesbian couples. 

At Diers Fertility Clinic, we have specialised in IUI treatment for lesbian women since 2006. Our clinic’s founder, Liza Diers, herself became a proud parent of three children through IUI. Read Liza’s story.

👉 Learn more about the IUI treatment process.

Choosing a sperm donor

While only one female partner will provide genetic material through IUI, you can choose a sperm donor who closely resembles the other partner in appearance and personality.

We offer access to detailed donor profiles that include:

• Appearance

• Personality traits

• Education & values

• Baby photos

• Celebrity look-alikes

You can also use a known donor, such as a friend or family member who is not closely related to the mum-to-be.

👉 Explore how to find the right sperm donor.

Benefits vs Considerations of IUI for Lesbian Couples

Benefits

• Simple and natural approach
• Minimal preparation & no hormone treatment
• Affordable option compared to IVF
• Option to use the same sperm donor for both partners’ pregnancies to create genetic half-siblings

Considerations

• Not suitable for women with fertility issues like blocked fallopian tubes or severe endometriosis
• May require multiple cycles to achieve pregnancy
• Some couples may prefer a more advanced option like IVF

IVF and Reciprocal IVF (ROPA) – Lesbian Pregnancy Options

What is IVF?
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is an advanced fertility treatment where eggs are retrieved, fertilised in a laboratory, and then transferred to the uterus.

👉 Learn more about the IVF treatment process.

What is Reciprocal IVF?
Reciprocal IVF also known as the ROPA method (Reception of Oocytes from the Partner) is a special IVF method where both partners participate:

• One partner provides the eggs (the egg provider)

• The other partner carries the pregnancy (the gestational carrier)

This allows both women to be biologically and emotionally involved in the pregnancy process.

👉 Learn more about reciprocal IVF.

Benefits vs Considerations of Reciprocal IVF for same-sex couples

Benefits

• Both partners are physically involved in the conception
• The child will have a biological connection to one partner and be carried by the other

Considerations

• More complex, expensive, and invasive than IUI
• Requires hormone stimulation and surgical procedures
• Not available in all clinics or countries. In Denmark, a law change has made the treatment legal from January 2025 — and Diers Fertility Clinic has proudly offered the treatment since day one.

Can Two Women Have a Baby with Both Their Genes?

No, two women cannot currently have a biological child together. Pregnancy requires both an egg and a sperm cell. Lesbian couples can become parents through IUI or (reciprocal) IVF using donor sperm.

In reciprocal IVF, the birth mother has a profound influence on the baby’s early development through epigenetics even though they are not genetically related.

👉 Learn about epigenetics in egg donation.

Future Possibilities: Lesbian Pregnancy with Shared Genes

Scientific research is exploring technologies that may allow same-sex couples to have a child carrying both partners’ genetic material in the future.

Gene Editing & IVG (In Vitro Gametogenesis)

Two emerging technologies:

• Gene Editing: Turning regular cells into stem cells and modifying them into eggs and sperm.

• IVG: Creating reproductive cells from skin or blood cells.

These technologies face significant scientific, ethical, and legal challenges and are not available yet.

Get Started with Your Lesbian Pregnancy Journey

At Diers Fertility Clinic, we are committed to helping lesbian couples achieve their dream of parenthood. Whether through IUI, IVF, or reciprocal IVF, we’re here to guide you.

On our blog, you can also find inspiring personal stories from other lesbian couples, e.g.:

🌸 Danielle & Sophie’s journey from IVF pressure in the UK to natural IUI treatment in Denmark

🌸 Lara and Jenny‘s story

🌸 Jeruscha & Lisa’s story about being pregnant at the same time