Third-party reproduction is a big decision. We help make the process easy by offering egg, sperm and embryo donation services, along with surrogacy.
Third-party reproduction methods, such as sperm donation, egg donation, and surrogacy, help any individual or couple experience the joys that come with childbirth. This includes individuals and couples who cannot conceive on their own, such as single aspiring parents and LGBTQ+ families.
Third-party reproduction occurs when a third party, which we refer to as a donor, provides their DNA or gestation to an individual or couple who will raise the child. The third party can either be a male who donates his sperm, a woman who donates her egg, a couple who donates their embryo or a surrogate who can serve as both the gestational carrier and egg donor.
The thing we love about fertility is that everyone’s journey is unique. There is no right way to become a parent. Third-party reproduction opens up a world of possibilities to aspiring parents who want to grow their families on their terms. Here are just a few of the benefits of third-party reproductive methods.
There are five types of third-party reproduction: egg donation, sperm donation, embryo donation, gestational surrogacy and traditional surrogacy.
Egg donation is when a woman volunteers to give her eggs to another woman in the hopes of helping her become pregnant through the IVF process. Ultimately, egg donation allows women without viable oocytes (eggs) to become pregnant, nourish the pregnancy and deliver a child of her own.
Patients at Tennessee Fertility Institute can choose either known or anonymous egg donation. Known egg donation is when individuals or couples select a family member or friend to be their egg donor. Anonymous egg donation is when the donor is unknown to the patient or intended couple.
Sperm donation is when a male voluntarily gives his sperm in the hopes of helping a woman or couple to become pregnant with IUI or IVF. Just as in egg donation, men can donate sperm anonymously or be a known donor.
For anonymous donations, we assist patients throughout the selection process. We only recommend sperm banks that the American Association of Tissue Banks accredits. This assures that these banks meet specific minimal standards for disease screening and semen quality.
For known donations, we follow the American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, and FDA regulations for directed sperm donation. We select only those men who pass appropriate physical, genetic and psychological screenings.
Couples who successfully complete an IVF cycle can choose to donate their remaining embryos. These remaining embryos provide a unique opportunity to help other individuals or couples experience pregnancy and childbirth.
We follow the guidelines set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology as well as FDA regulations for embryo donation. We select donated embryos from individuals and couples who pass appropriate physical, genetic and psychological screenings.
One of the most generous gifts a woman can give to another is to carry a baby for nine months. New advances in reproductive medicine make it possible for a woman without a healthy uterus to have her own genetic child.
Gestational surrogacy is when the intended parents’ embryo is implanted in another woman’s uterus. So, while the surrogate serves as the gestational carrier for the baby, she is not biologically related to the child.
Traditional surrogacy occurs when the intended mother’s eggs are not viable for conception. Instead, the couple’s surrogate will be both the gestational carrier of the child and its biological mother. In this case, doctors will use intrauterine insemination to place the father’s sperm inside the surrogate’s uterus, which will then form an embryo.
At Tennessee Fertility Institute, we are proud to offer an inclusive environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community as they embark on their dreams of having a family. Our modern approach to family extends to all patients, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or marital status. Our mission is to provide unsurpassed levels of compassion and advanced fertility care to everyone.
Although gestational surrogacy is considered legal in Tennessee, the legal process for establishing parentage in surrogacy arrangements can be somewhat complicated in certain situations. Pre-birth orders are only available in situations where at least one of the intended parents is biologically related to the child. If only one intended parent is the biological mother or father, that parent will be listed on the child’s birth certificate at the time of birth. The non-genetic parent will have to go through an adoption process after the birth in order to be legally recognized as the child’s parent.
Fertility is personal—your care should be, too. If you’re interested in exploring your options, request a consultation with one of our fertility specialists. Let’s make a baby, together.