Can two women have a baby? All you need to know about lesbian pregnancy options

• Lesbian pregnancy options for same-sex couples
• The treatment process for lesbian couples
• IUI treatment process
  • IVF and reciprocal IVF explained
  • Lesbian pregnancy using donor eggs
• Can two women have a baby without sperm?
• Things to consider when starting fertility treatment
• Can two females have a baby with the same genes?
• Can a woman carry a baby for another woman?
• How much does it cost for two females to have a baby?
• Can two women have a biological child?
• Other ways to become a parent if you’re LGBT+
• FAQ: Common questions about lesbian pregnancy

There are several safe and proven ways for lesbian couples to get pregnant. The right choice depends on your health, preferences, and how actively both partners want to be involved in the pregnancy.

Below is an overview of the most common lesbian fertility treatments:

You can find a full overview of treatments and requirements in our same-sex couple guide.

Fertility treatment for same-sex couples usually starts with a medical consultation and sperm donor selection. At European Sperm Bank, you can choose from both ID-release and No-release donors – giving you full control over your future family story.you can choose from both ID-release and No-release donors giving you full control over your future family story.

For some couples, IUI is enough to achieve pregnancy. Others may go through IVF or reciprocal IVF to increase success rates. Your fertility clinic can guide you on which path gives you the best chance.

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is often the first step for lesbian couples starting their pregnancy journey. During IUI, carefully washed donor sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilisation.

The process is simple and minimally invasive, and it typically involves:

• A cycle-tracking consultation
• Selection of an ID-release or No-release donor
• A timed insemination at the clinic

For many couples, IUI alone is enough to achieve pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t happen after a few cycles, your clinic may recommend IVF or reciprocal IVF for higher success rates.

In IVF, eggs are collected, fertilised with donor sperm in a lab, and placed back into the uterus. IVF success rates depend on factors like age, health, and egg quality. In Europe, the average IVF success rate is around 30–40% per cycle for people under 35, decreasing to 15–30% for those aged 35–40.

In reciprocal IVF (also known as the ROPA method), both partners participate:

• Partner A provides the egg.
• Partner B carries the pregnancy.

This allows both women to share a biological and emotional connection to the baby.

Some same-sex couples choose to use donor eggs. This can be helpful when one partner has lower fertility or a genetic condition they don’t wish to pass on.

European Sperm Bank offers double donations, where both donor eggs and donor sperm are used.

If you wish to explore egg donation in more detail, you can also find an egg donor here.

Two women cannot have a baby without sperm, as it’s still needed to fertilize an egg. However, research in reproductive genetics is progressing, and scientists are exploring possibilities for same-sex reproduction in the future.

For now, using a donor is the only safe and medically approved way for two women to conceive a child together.

Before beginning treatment, it’s helpful to talk openly about expectations and roles:

• Who wants to carry the baby?
• Do you prefer an open or anonymous donor?
• What are your financial limits?

It’s also worth thinking about emotional readiness and support networks. Many lesbian and same-sex parents describe the process as both exciting and deeply bonding.

Two women can’t have a baby who shares both their genes, at least not with current medical technology.

While early studies on same-sex reproduction in animals have shown some progress, it’s not ready or ethical for human use.

That said, reciprocal IVF lets both partners share the journey in a meaningful way, even without shared DNA.

Yes. This is called surrogacy. It is an arrangement in which a woman (gestational carrier), who has no genetic connection to the child, agrees to carry and give birth to a baby on behalf of another individual or couple. It’s an option if one partner can’t carry a pregnancy due to health concerns such as genetic inherited diseases or personal reasons.

Surrogacy laws and legislation vary widely across countries, so it’s important to seek local legal advice before starting.

Costs depend on the treatment method and country.

• IUI is usually the most affordable.
• IVF and reciprocal IVF are more costly due to lab work, medication, and donor choice.

Your fertility clinic can provide a specific estimate based on your plan and medical history.

Two women can share biological involvement through reciprocal IVF, but they can’t both contribute genetic material to the same embryo.

In other words, one partner provides the egg, the other provides the womb.

For lesbian, gay, and transgender people, there are many ways to start or expand a family.

This could include surrogacy, adoption, co-parenting, or donor conception each with its own emotional and legal considerations.

Surrogacy for male same-sex parents

Gay couples can have kids and build families through surrogacy using donor eggs and a gestational carrier.

Adoption or fostering

Many LGBT+ families choose adoption or fostering as a meaningful way to provide a loving home for a child.

Co-parenting

Some same-sex families co-parent with another person or couple, sharing responsibilities and joy from the very beginning.

Can trans women get pregnant?

A trans woman cannot carry a baby without a uterus, but with the right support and medical options, many trans women become parents through surrogacy or adoption.

Can two women have a baby together?

Yes. Two women can have a baby together using fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF, or reciprocal IVF with donor sperm. These treatments make it possible for same-sex couples to build a family together.

How do lesbians get pregnant?

Lesbian couples can become pregnant through donor insemination or IVF. In some cases, one partner provides the egg while the other carries the pregnancy – a process called reciprocal IVF or the ROPA method.

Can two women have a biological child?

Two women cannot have a fully genetic child together, but reciprocal IVF allows both to be biologically involved – one provides the egg, and the other carries the baby.

Can two women have a baby without sperm?

No. Sperm is still needed to fertilize an egg. However, scientists are studying same-sex reproduction, which might make this possible in the future.

Is IVF for lesbian couples successful?

IVF for lesbian couples is usually just as successful as for heterosexual couples, though success rates depend on age and health.

How much does it cost for two females to have a baby?

Costs depend on the chosen treatment. IUI is often the most affordable option, while IVF and reciprocal IVF are more expensive due to lab work and medication.

What’s the difference between IUI and IVF for lesbians?

IUI places donor sperm directly into the uterus, while IVF fertilizes eggs in a lab first. Many couples start with IUI and move to IVF if pregnancy doesn’t happen after a few cycles.

There’s no single right way for two women to have a baby. Whether through IUI, IVF, or reciprocal IVF, lesbian couples today have more options, and more support, than ever before.

At European Sperm Bank, we’ve helped thousands of lesbian and same-sex couples grow their families through safe and proven fertility treatments like IUI, IVF, and reciprocal IVF. Your path to parenthood is unique, but with the right support, it can begin today.