But don’t let that worry hold you back, shares Joanna Perry. She and her wife, Sarah, went to Waterstone Clinic when they decided to have a child. Joanna can understand why people would be a little nervous at first - “It’s a really big decision, but if you just call the clinic, that’s the first step. You can change your mind, they are really clear about that, but once you have the information, you feel a lot better about your decision. Otherwise it’s a lot of guessing and presuming, and that gets stressful.”
Some couples might be nervous they could be treated differently to non-LGBT+ couples, but that is not the case at all. Joanna confirms, “It was a really wonderful experience. had no complaints. didn’t feel awkward at any point. They are very supportive, they are there with you the whole way through.”
The Waterstone Clinic has helped hundreds of women and couples become parents with the use of donor sperm. They are keen to share the process to remove any concerns you may have. When you decide to start your family, they assess your fertility to choose the treatment that’s best for you. You’ll then have a meeting with their dedicated sperm donation co-ordinator who will help you through the process of assessments, blood tests, counselling, and selecting your donor. Once you’re ready to start your treatment, they import the sperm from your chosen donor, and their medical team prepare you for your treatment, which is usually IUI (sometimes called ‘artificial insemination’) or IVF treatment. Two weeks later, you can take a pregnancy test, and they perform your early pregnancy scans.