Can My Partner Use My Eggs to Make a Baby that is Biologically both of ours?

Question: Can My Partner Use My Eggs to Make a Baby that is Biologically both of ours?

Answer: It is true. Advances in medical technology have made it possible for both partners in a lesbian relationship to have a biological relationship to a child. This procedure is called Egg Donation/Ovum Sharing or Partner Assisted Reproduction. One partner provides the egg, which is fertilized outside the body and then implanted into the other partner’s body. She carries the baby to term and gives birth.

I spoke with Rhonda Gannon a patient clinical liaison at Boston IVF about some of the specifics of this procedure. She said the both women first undergo diagnostic testing to make sure they are suitable candidates for the procedure. Then both partners are treated medically to prepare their bodies and coordinate their cycles.

An egg is extracted from the egg donor mom and fertilized with sperm from a sperm donor in vitro (outside the body) and then implanted into the woman carrying the child. Usually more than one egg is implanted so the likelihood of multiple births is much greater.

This procedure is much more expensive than simple donor insemination, but some women may opt for this because both women will have a biological tie to the child.

However, legal ties to the child will not automatically be granted to both mothers in most states. Consult with a lawyer before you opt for Egg Donation/Ovum Sharing (Partner Assisted Reproduction) or any other means of pregnancy.

More about the legal aspects of donor insemination