Donor IVF for lesbian couples: a clear guide to the Kind pathway

In this guide, we'll walk you through each stage of the Kind Donor IVF process, from your initial assessment and donor sperm planning to counselling, treatment and what happens next. Where you'll benefit from more specialist advice, we'll also introduce you to London Sperm Bank for donor information and London Women's Clinic for broader fertility treatment options.

Book a fertility health assessment to start planning your next steps.

The short answer: is Kind Donor IVF for lesbian couples?

Yes. Kind Donor IVF may be an option for same-sex female couples considering IVF with donor sperm. Your journey starts with a fertility health assessment – this helps us to understand your family-building plans and determine whether Kind’s Donor IVF treatment is the most appropriate approach for you both.

Who this Kind pathway may suit

Kind Donor IVF is designed for lesbian couples who are planning to have IVF using donor sperm and are looking for a clear, package-led treatment. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or are ready to begin treatment, your fertility health assessment is the first step.

Every couple's circumstances are different. In some cases, one partner may be planning to have treatment, while in others, both partners may be considering different treatment roles. Your fertility specialist will explain whether any additional tests or assessments are recommended.

If you're exploring options such as donor IUI, reciprocal IVF or shared motherhood, or you'd benefit from more personalised treatment, London Women's Clinic can help you understand the routes available and recommend which is best for you as a couple.

How the Kind Donor IVF pathway works

Knowing what to expect can make starting fertility treatment feel a little more manageable. Here’s how Kind Donor IVF takes you from your first health assessment through to embryo transfer and your pregnancy test.

Step 1: Fertility health assessment

Your first appointment is designed to help us assess your fertility and whether the Kind pathway is the right next step. This includes a consultation, an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) blood test to assess ovarian reserve and a pelvic ultrasound scan to review reproductive health.

If both same-sex female partners are considering treatment roles (such as one partner providing eggs and one carrying the pregnancy) your fertility specialist will share whether any additional tests are needed before your treatment plan is finalised. They will then talk through your results, answer any questions and discuss the next steps based on your individual plans.

Learn more about our Fertility Health Assessment.

Step 2: Confirming whether Kind is suitable

Following your assessment, our clinical team will review whether you meet the Kind eligibility criteria, alongside your medical history and plans for treatment.

The Kind eligibility criteria have been developed to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from this treatment approach. For example, Kind is designed for women who begin treatment before their 37th birthday, have a BMI of 30 or below and have a good ovarian reserve. Your ovarian reserve is assessed as part of your fertility health assessment using an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) blood test, alongside the other investigations carried out during your initial consultation.

If your assessment suggests that another type of treatment would better meet your needs, we'll explain your options and guide you to London Women's Clinic for more personalised planning.

View the Kind eligibility guide. [include link when page updated]

Step 3: Planning donor sperm

Once your treatment plan has been agreed, the next step is planning your donor selection. This is often a shared decision, so it's helpful to take time to think about your preferences as a couple before making a final choice.

Kind works closely with London Sperm Bank, who will guide you through the donor selection process. Their resources explain how to browse the donor catalogue, compare donor profiles, understand donor screening, CMV compatibility and genetic carrier information, and order the right sample for your treatment.

While London Sperm Bank manages every aspect of donor selection, the Kind team will continue to coordinate your treatment and make sure everything is in place before your IVF cycle.

Browse the London Sperm Bank donor catalogue.

Step 4: Counselling, consent and partner decisions

Before treatment begins, you'll complete the counselling and consent process for donor conception. This gives you both the opportunity to talk through the emotional, practical and legal aspects of using donor sperm, ask any questions and feel confident about the decisions you're making. 

It's also a chance to discuss how you'd like your treatment to progress as a couple. Whether you've already decided who will be carrying the pregnancy or are still exploring your options, your care team will explain what’s involved and ensure your treatment plan reflects your individual preferences.

Find out more about the ethical and legal considerations of using a donor.

Step 5: IVF cycle, fertilisation and embryo transfer

Once your treatment plan is in place, you'll begin your IVF cycle. This includes ovarian stimulation, egg collection, fertilisation using donor sperm, embryo development in the laboratory and embryo transfer.

Around two weeks after your embryo transfer, you'll have a pregnancy test to find out whether treatment has been successful. Throughout your cycle, your Kind team will keep you informed about what to expect, answer any questions and guide you through each stage of the IVF process.

Learn more about IVF treatment and the path to parenthood as a lesbian couple.

What is included in Kind Donor IVF?

Kind Donor IVF is designed to make planning treatment together as straightforward as possible. The package combines consultant-led IVF treatment with donor sperm from London Sperm Bank and includes your medication, monitoring scans, egg collection, counselling, embryo transfer and follow-up care, alongside one vial of donor sperm.

For the latest information about what's included, as well as current donor sperm IVF costs for lesbian couples, visit our Kind Donor IVF package and pricing guides.

When another treatment pathway may be more appropriate

Kind Donor IVF is designed for same-sex female couples looking for a clear, package-led IVF treatment using donor sperm. However, it isn't the right route for every family-building journey.

If you're still deciding between donor IUI and IVF, considering reciprocal IVF or shared motherhood, or would benefit from a more personalised treatment plan based on your medical history or fertility assessment, London Women's Clinic can provide specialist advice for the LGBTQIA+ community. Their team can help you explore your options, explain the differences between treatments and discuss your preferred next steps.

If your fertility health assessment suggests that another treatment pathway would better meet your needs, we'll make sure you're directed to the right specialist team.

Where London Sperm Bank fits into the pathway

London Sperm Bank is Kind's trusted partner for donor sperm. Once your fertility health assessment shows that Kind Donor IVF is the recommended route, you'll be introduced to the team to begin planning your donor selection together.

Their specialists will help you explore the donor catalogue, compare donor profiles and donor screening, CMV compatibility, genetic carrier status and the donor ordering process. This gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about choosing a donor that reflects your preferences and family-building plans.

While London Sperm Bank manages every aspect of donor selection, the Kind team will continue to guide you through your treatment, from counselling and treatment planning to your IVF cycle and embryo transfer.

Learn more about choosing sperm donors for lesbian couples with London Sperm Bank.

What to ask before booking a fertility health assessment

Before booking your fertility health assessment, it can be helpful to think about a few practical questions together. You don't need to have all the answers, but having a general idea of your plans can help you get the most from your first appointment.

• Are we likely to meet the Kind eligibility criteria? Your age, BMI and ovarian reserve (measured using an AMH blood test) are all considered as part of the assessment to understand whether the Kind pathway is recommended.
• Have either of us had previous fertility tests or treatment? Bring details of any blood tests, scans, prior fertility treatment or relevant medical history, as these can help inform your consultation.
• Have we thought about who will be having treatment? This can be discussed with your specialist, but it can be helpful to think about who is planning to carry the pregnancy or whether you'd like to explore other treatment options, such as shared motherhood, in advance.
• Do we have any donor preferences? You don't need to have chosen a donor before your assessment, but it can help to think about any preferences you may have before exploring the London Sperm Bank donor catalogue together.
• When would we like to begin treatment? Your specialist can explain the expected timeline and help you plan around work, travel or other commitments.
• What will treatment cost? Understanding the costs involved early can help you plan with confidence. View the latest donor IVF cost for lesbian couples and package information.
• Which clinic location works best for us? Kind IVF offers treatment across multiple clinic locations, so it's worth considering which one will be most convenient for appointments and monitoring scans.

If you have any questions before booking, our team will be happy to talk you through the fertility health assessment, explain what to expect and help you take the next step with confidence. Get in touch or view our most frequently asked questions.

FAQs

Can lesbian couples have donor IVF with Kind?

Yes. Kind Donor IVF may be suitable for lesbian couples considering IVF with donor sperm, provided donor IVF is clinically appropriate for you both and you meet the Kind eligibility criteria following your fertility health assessment.

Who is Kind Donor IVF for?

Kind Donor IVF supports patients who need IVF with donor sperm, including lesbian couples, same-sex female couples, single women and other eligible patients. This guide focuses on the pathway for lesbian couples, while other patient groups can explore the relevant treatment information for their circumstances.

What happens in the first assessment?

Your fertility health assessment includes a consultation, an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) blood test to assess ovarian reserve and a pelvic ultrasound scan for the partner who is planning to have treatment. If both partners are considering treatment roles, your fertility specialist will explain whether any additional tests or assessments are recommended before planning treatment.

Does Kind Donor IVF include donor sperm?

Yes. The Kind Donor IVF package includes one vial of donor sperm from London Sperm Bank alongside your IVF treatment and other package inclusions. Visit the Kind Donor IVF page for the latest information about what's included and current pricing.

Do we choose a sperm donor through Kind or London Sperm Bank?

Kind introduces donor sperm as part of your treatment pathway, but London Sperm Bank manages the donor selection process. Their team can help you explore the donor catalogue, understand donor screening, CMV compatibility, genetic carrier status and complete the donor ordering process.

Is this the same as reciprocal IVF or shared motherhood?

Not necessarily. Some couples exploring donor IVF may also be considering reciprocal IVF or shared motherhood, but these involve different treatment decisions and clinical considerations. If you'd like to explore these options in more detail, the specialists at London Women's Clinic can explain the different fertility treatments for LGBTQIA+ families and help you decide which is most appropriate.

Which partner provides eggs or carries the pregnancy?

This is a personal decision that also depends on your fertility, medical history and treatment goals. Your fertility specialist will discuss the options with you during your assessment and, if you'd benefit from more personalised treatment planning, London Women's Clinic can provide specialist advice on treatment roles and family-building options.

Do we need counselling before using donor sperm?

Before treatment, you'll be offered implications counselling as part of your donor conception journey. This provides an opportunity to discuss the emotional, practical and legal aspects of treatment, understand the information available to donor-conceived children in the future, and complete the consent process before your IVF cycle begins.

What if Kind isn't the right treatment for us?

If your assessment suggests that another treatment approach would better meet your needs, we'll explain your options and introduce you to our partners at London Women's Clinic. Their specialists can advise on a wider range of fertility treatments and create a personalised treatment plan based on your individual circumstances.

What should we do next?

The first step is to book a fertility health assessment. From there, we'll review your fertility, explain whether the Kind pathway is recommended and talk you both through the next steps. When the time is right, we'll introduce you to London Sperm Bank for donor selection, and if you'd benefit from broader treatment planning, we'll direct you to the specialists at London Women's Clinic.

Next steps

If you're exploring donor IVF as a lesbian couple, booking a fertility health assessment is the best place to begin. We'll take the time to understand your fertility, talk through your plans for treatment and explain whether the Kind pathway is recommended for you both. You can also explore the Kind Donor IVF package to see what's included and view the latest pricing. 

When you're ready to choose a donor, London Sperm Bank provides expert guidance on donor profiles, screening and the donor selection process. And if your assessment suggests you'd benefit from a more personalised treatment approach such as reciprocal IVF, shared motherhood or other fertility options for same-sex families, the specialists at London Women's Clinic can help you explore the routes available and decide what feels right for you as a couple.