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Family Building for Lesbian Couples

Many same-sex couples give up their dreams of growing their families because they think adoption is their only option. At Houston Fertility Center, lesbian couples can have children of their own thanks to our innovative, individualized treatment options.  Find out why same-sex couples throughout Houston, TX, trust us when it comes to family building...

Thinking about Kids? Here's Why You Should Work with a Fertility Clinic

Share a Special Bond with Your Child

Fertility treatments allow you and your partner to share a genetic relationship with your child. As your child grows, you will enjoy the special experience of watching them develop traits and qualities just like yours. When selecting a donor to supply the donor sperm, you can choose a friend or family member who you trust. 

Choose an Option That Meets Your Needs

The Houston Fertility Center believes in providing the best fertility services to all hopeful parents. Dr. Sonja Kristiansen and her team offer every form of fertility treatment available to meet the unique needs of lesbian couples aspiring to expand their families.

Enjoy Peace of Mind 

When you visit the Houston Fertility Center, you get the very best. Dr. Kristiansen is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Infertility (REI) specialist who has helped many LGBTQ families achieve their dreams of parenthood. Additionally, our state-of-the-art lab is certified by the College of American Pathologists. By providing the highest level of care, we are able to deliver the most successful results.

"I thank you ladies for helping us start our family of love." E soteric

Gay and Lesbian Couples of Houston, TX, Turn to Us For Their Family Planning

Our practice in Houston, TX, can use virtually any form of infertility treatment to help you build your family. We are committed to providing you with the highest level of care and most successful infertility treatment available. Start building your family by requesting a consultation today. Call us at:

(713) 225-5375

Ultrasound

We Are Here to Help You Start Your Family 

Lesbian couple curled up on couch together
Our team works closely with all patients to ensure the best possible chances for success. 

What to Expect From the Family Building Process

Dr. Kristiansen has helped gay and lesbian couples grow their families for over 20 years. It all starts with an appointment at our office.
Dr. Kristiansen has helped gay and lesbian couples grow their families for over 20 years. It all starts with an appointment at our office.

Meeting for a Consultation

Our doctor starts the family building process by getting to know you and your partner. During this consultation, Dr. Kristiansen will discuss your goals and medical history to see what plan is right for you. We will present you with various fertility treatment options depending on this information.

Choosing a Sperm Donor

Our patients can either select a trusted friend or family member as their donor, or choose the donor sperm from a selection of candidates gathered by a trusted agency. Patients can also select a donor egg if this step is necessary in your family building process. 

Undergoing IUI or IVF

If you choose IUI or artificial insemination, a concentrated sample of the donor's sperm will be placed in your uterus. The process involves a few more steps for IVF and reciprocal IVF, including egg retrieval, laboratory fertilization, and implantation.

Staying in Touch

Our Houston, TX, practice is committed to staying in touch with you throughout the family building process. If a pregnancy does not occur in the first round of IUI or IVF, we can look at other options and help you try again. 

What to Expect during Your First Consultation

During your first consultation, you and your partner can begin to consider important questions such as:

  • Will you, a partner, or a surrogate carry the baby?

  • Will a partner contribute the egg or will you use donor eggs?

  • Will the sperm sample be provided by a known sperm donor or a sperm bank?

  • Should we consider embryonic genetic testing to screen for genetic abnormalities?

Patients should also plan on reviewing their medical history and reviewing fertility-related health factors such as maternal age and any past fertility issues. Based on this information, Dr. Kristiansen can recommend an individualized treatment plan and help you take the first step toward achieving your goals.

Making Family Building Dreams Come True Call Houston Fertility Center Today to Begin Your Journey!

Building a family can seem daunting, especially for gay and lesbian couples. We are here to help make your dreams of growing your family come true. Dr. Kristiansen has 27 years of experience and utilized state-of-the-art technology to help patients become parents. Each patient and couple is unique, and we listen and develop a treatment that that will give you the best chance of achieving a pregnancy. With multiple options such as IUI, IVF, and surrogacy, we can help LGBTQ couples grow their families. Call us or request an initial consultation online today to start your journey and grow your family!

(713) 225-5375
 

Dr. Kristiansen

"Amazing" What Patients Are Saying

1

Jessica W

2021

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I had a wonderful experience with Dr. K and her team. They were responsive to my MANY questions and very compassionate throughout the entire process. We are expecting twins any day now and are so grateful to her, Mayra, Blanca, Lana, Melissa, and their stellar embryology team!

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1

DALLASFAM

2021

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Dr. K and the entire staff always made my day! From the beginning of the treatments they have been there through all of my questions and concerns & then more. Every email I sent was answered thoroughly from the ivf coordinator the same day if not in hours!...

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Options for Lesbian Couples

We offer advanced treatments to help you and your partner achieve parenthood:
Pregnant lesbian couple sitting together

IUI

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing donor sperm inside a woman's uterus to facilitate fertilization. This fertility treatment is also known as artificial insemination.

IVF

IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves extracting eggs from a woman and combining them with a sperm specimen in a laboratory. Soon after fertilization, the healthiest embryos are identified and transferred to the woman’s uterus.

Couple sitting together on couch

Reciprocal IVF

Reciprocal IVF allows for lesbian couples to share in the IVF experience by using an egg from one partner, which is then fertilized and implanted into the uterus of the other partner.

INVOcell™

INVOcell™

This option involves using a device and procedure that relies on the woman’s reproductive tract for fertilization and embryonic development, rather than having these processes performed in a laboratory. This option can help save a considerable amount in laboratory fees. As with reciprocal in vitro fertilization, both partners are also able to actively participate in carrying the embryo.

Man waving

Sperm Donation

Our fertility clinic works with couples who are interested in using a sperm donor whom they know personally, or we can coordinate with a reputable agency for sperm selection. We can arrange to collect donor sperm with Fairfax Cryobank, California Cryobank, and other highly reputable sperm banks that follow Food and Drug Administration regulations to ensure the best possible outcomes. When choosing a donor, you will receive a highly detailed profile of the individual that outlines his education, health history, and other biodata.

Closeup of pregnant belly

Egg Donation & Surrogacy

While some prospective mothers choose to use their own eggs for their fertility treatment, women who carry certain genetic disorders might choose to use donor eggs as part of their procedure. Our center can connect you with a healthy, qualified woman if you decide that egg donation or surrogacy are right for you.

​Aren't Fertility Treatments Expensive?

At Houston Fertility Center, we take multiple steps to make building your family more affordable. We accept most insurances, and we offer discounts for military, police, and fire fighters. We also offer discounts on multiple fertility services as well as financing options to help make treatment affordable. The costs varies by each patient and family and what treatments they undergo, but our fertility services are more affordable than other fertility clinics as we own our own laboratory. A typical round of IVF with PGT costs $13,400 at our clinic, but using INVOcell can reduce your IVF costs to $9,400 with PGT per cycle.  Frozen embryo transfer required with PGT.

Call us today to learn more about our fertility costs and financing options. 

How Long Does Fertility Treatment Take?

Lesbian couple after fertility treatment

We know most couples are anxious to achieve a healthy pregnancy as soon as possible. Because each couple is different, the timeline will vary. During your initial consultation, Dr. Kristiansen will discuss your goals, your treatment options, and she will discuss the timeline for each treatment option. Some couples achieve a pregnancy in one cycle, while others might have to undergo a few or even turn to other options. If you are choosing an egg donor, sperm donor, or surrogate, there is additional time needed to choose the right fit for you and your partner. Our goal is to determine which treatment is best for you and your partner and what will have the best option of attaining a healthy pregnancy and baby. 

How Do We Decide Which Partner Will Carry the Baby?

It is important to consider several factors before deciding which person will carry your baby. Overall health is extremely important. If one has health issues, it may be best for the other to become pregnant. That doesn't mean you will be left out of the process. Reciprocal IVF can be performed, using your eggs and donor sperm. The resulting embryo is then transferred to your partner or a surrogate depending on your needs. This is a big decision, and Dr. Kristiansen is happy to help you discuss which of you might be the best carrier for you baby, for the baby's health and yours. 

More questions? We are happy to help!

"Very compassionate throughout the entire process" 5-Star Reviews from Houston, TX, Patients 

1

Reyna Alcala

2020

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Personally i had a good experience with my invocell process started meds for 2 weeks in September by october 8 had the transfer and couple days later the positive pregnancy test! My baby boy is now 1 month old and im in love ❤ Thank you so much Dr. K and staff you were all amazing!!

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1

Meli Rodriguez

2020

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Dr Kristiansen and her staff are amazing! I did invocell and had a great experience. I liked that I always got a staff person on the phone when I called. They are great at returning emails quickly too. You won’t be disappointed. They will take good care of you!

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Dr. Sonja Kristiansen

Houston Fertility Center

Dr. Sonja Kristiansen is the founder and Medical Director of Houston Fertility Center. She is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Infertility (REI) specialist who is proud to help hopeful parents fulfill their dreams of having children. Our center is affiliated with the:

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • Texas Medical Association

We provide convenient care for patients from greater Houston and visitors from out of town. For more information about our services, contact our office online or call (713) 225-5375 today.

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