Third party reproduction is a process that allows some individuals and couples to build a family. This includes single parents by choice, LGBTQ couples, or heterosexual couples looking to grow their family using donor gametes, embryos, or surrogates.
The ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) sets guidelines for best practices when growing a family using third parties. This could be using a donor for sperm, eggs, or embryos, or this could be using a gestational carrier. They set these guidelines to ensure that those involved feel heard and understood and allows for more transparency in the process.
For those looking to donate gametes (eggs/sperm), or wanting to become a gestational carrier, the ASRM requires a psychosocial evaluation to be completed. This evaluation is meant to help you navigate the complex feelings and thoughts around becoming a donor/surrogate, as well as to determine your suitability for this process.
After completing the evaluation, which typically takes 1-2 hours, I will provide a summary of the evaluation to your clinic or agency.
For those looking to become parents with the use of donor eggs/sperm/embryos, or to use a gestational carrier, the ASRM recommends a consultation with a reproductive therapist. This consultation is intended to help you look at all the complexities of building a family using third party reproduction.
You do not need to prove your suitability to become a parent, this consultation rather provides a safe space for you to discuss the difficulties of your journey, the process of using third parties, and to look at the logistics of relationships, communication, etc.
This appointment will last 1-2 hours. After this appointment, we offer joint appointments where the intended parents and donor or gestational carrier will all meet together to discuss what you want the relationship to look like moving forward.
We provide written summaries to your clinic or agency.
Be Intentional about Your Path
We know that it can be frustrating to have additional hoops to jump through when you are trying so hard to add a baby to your family. We hope you’ll view this consultation as an opportunity to pause and reflect on your past journey, and to be intentional about your path moving forward. Please reach out to schedule a consultation to discuss a third party evaluation.
If your clinic or agency requires a psychosocial evaluation (for donors, surrogates), or a consultation (for intended, recipient parents), please reach out. We have training in completing these assessments, and can help you move forward on your journey to build the family you want.
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