Female Same-Sex Couples
Starting or growing your family is a joyful step. At Bourn Hall, we’re here to make the process simple and full of possibilities. If you and your partner are exploring in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for lesbian couples or other fertility options, you’ll find a range of tailored treatments designed with your needs in mind.
From your first conversation with us, you’ll be welcomed into a caring environment where your choices are respected and your journey is guided by experienced specialists. Whether you’d like to use donor sperm, consider intrauterine insemination (IUI), or begin IVF, we’ll help you understand every option and feel confident in the decisions you make together.
Starting your fertility journey
Fertility testing options
This is a straightforward blood test that measures the level of a hormone called AMH. The result gives us an idea of your ovarian reserve, which means the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. While the test cannot confirm fertility, it can provide helpful insight into your reproductive health.
Fertility treatments
For many female same-sex couples, using a donor is part of the path to parenthood. Sperm can come from either a known donor or an altruistic donor (a donor you will not know, but your future child will have the right to know when they’re 18).
Our team will support you in exploring both options. If you prefer an altruistic donor, we can help you find a suitable match through our own carefully regulated sperm bank or our trusted network of partner banks.
At Bourn Hall, we offer a range of fertility treatments that can be tailored to your needs. Whether you are beginning with IUI or considering IVF, we’ll guide you through each step, so you feel informed and supported along the way.
IVF with Donor Sperm
A process where an egg is fertilised using donated sperm, offering a path to parenthood for those who cannot use their own sperm due to fertility challenges or personal circumstances.
Shared Motherhood
This process would involve both partners undergoing scans, appointments and a stimulation process, with one partner going through the IVF process to produce eggs.
IVF with Donor Embryos
A treatment involving the creation and use of embryos from frozen eggs and sperm, providing future opportunities for pregnancy and family building through advanced reproductive technology.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
A process where a previously frozen embryo, created through IVF, is thawed and transferred to the womb, offering another chance at pregnancy without undergoing a full IVF cycle.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
A treatment where eggs are fertilised by sperm in a lab, then transferred to the womb, offering hope to individuals or couples facing difficulties conceiving naturally.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Sometimes conventional IVF needs a helping hand. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a lab technique that may be appropriate for you, if your sperm needs a bit of extra help to achieve successful fertilisation.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
A fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into the womb during ovulation, helping to increase the likelihood of sperm reaching and fertilising an egg.
IUI with Donor Sperm
A treatment where donated sperm is carefully placed into the womb during ovulation, supporting individuals or couples unable to conceive with their own sperm.
PGT-A (Genetic testing)
A screening method used during IVF to check embryos for chromosomal abnormalities, helping to select the healthiest embryos for transfer, enhancing the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Treatments Using a Donor
Assisted reproductive treatments that involve the use of donated sperm, eggs, or embryos to help individuals or couples achieve pregnancy when using their own may not be possible.
Specialist services
Donor Programme
Having IVF treatment with donor eggs or sperm at one of our East of England clinics could
Endometriosis clinic
Bourn Hall has developed a tailored service to address the unique needs of those women with endometriosis
Fertility Health and Wellbeing
For most people, fertility health and wellbeing will never be an issue. Around 80% of people trying
Recurrent miscarriage clinic
Investigating and overcoming early pregnancy loss after natural conception or after fertility treatment.
Fertility preservation options
Fertility preservation can give you and your partner flexibility for the future. Options such as egg or embryo freezing allow you to keep choices open, whether you plan to start your family soon or later on.
Egg freezing
A process where eggs are collected and preserved through freezing, allowing individuals to store healthy eggs for future use, offering flexibility and reassurance for those wishing to delay pregnancy.
Embryo freezing
A process where embryos, created through IVF, are frozen and stored, allowing couples or individuals the chance to use them for future attempts at pregnancy when the timing feels right.
Shared motherhood gives both partners the chance to be directly involved in creating and carrying your baby. One partner provides the eggs, while the other carries the pregnancy, making it a truly shared experience.
How shared motherhood works
Both partners take part in the process, beginning with scans, blood tests and appointments to check reproductive health. One partner has eggs collected and fertilised with donor sperm.
Then, the embryo is placed into the womb of the other partner, who carries the pregnancy.
If you’re unsure who will provide the eggs and who will carry the pregnancy, we can arrange tests for both of you to help you decide.
Our shared motherhood options
At Bourn Hall, we offer several shared motherhood pathways, allowing both partners to be closely involved in building your family.
- Shared motherhood – one partner provides the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy
- Shared motherhood with egg-sharing – one partner provides eggs for your treatment and donates some to help others who are trying to conceive
- Shared motherhood with both partners egg-sharing – both partners share their eggs, and each has the opportunity to carry a pregnancy
- Dual donation – one partner provides eggs for treatment, and the partner who carries the pregnancy also donates eggs to support others starting their family
The shared motherhood option for you will be confirmed by our supportive donor team.
Shared motherhood is a more complex treatment than IUI or standard IVF, and costs typically start from £13,500, which includes donor sperm. After your consultation, we’ll provide a personalised treatment plan and a clear breakdown of costs.
Flexible Pricing Options
To help make your treatment affordable and achievable, we offer fixed price treatment package options and a variety of finance solutions for patients looking to spread all or part of the cost of their treatment.
Explore our prices
Discover our prices and finance options, making treatments more accessible for you.
Book a 15 minute Discovery call
Schedule a Discovery call to find out which tests and treatments are right for you.
Fertility funding partners we work with:
We’re incredibly proud of our success rates
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 73%* chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2021
Younger than 35
If you are under 35, you have a 73% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
35 to 39 years old
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 63% (50% for 38-39 year olds) chance of getting pregnant (pregnancy seen on scan) within one year.
40+ years old
If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 25% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
Patient reviews you can trust
Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.
“We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”
Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF
Patient 2023
“We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”
Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm
Patient 2023
We provide world-class support throughout the fertility journey.
As one of the UK’s top fertility treatment centres, our values ensure we put our patients first.
Passion
Adaptability
Commitment
Teamwork and Collaboration
Our excellence in fertility treatment
1978
The world's first IVF baby
1980
Year founded by IVF pioneers
25000
Babies born through Bourn Hall
Our Fertility Events
Join our experts at a range of events including support groups, webinars and open evenings.
Learn more about the options available to you, from fertility tests to treatments, and find answers to any questions you might have.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.