When it comes to having a baby it doesn’t matter what your sexual orientation or gender identity is. You do not have to be a heterosexual couple to have a baby. Yes, I am talking about people from the LGBTQ+ community having a baby in India.
In the year 2021 (which is almost coming to an end) having a family doesn’t seem to be impossible for the people from the LGBTQ+ community. Having a family doesn’t necessarily mean that it should just be a “blood relation”. A family can also be someone that you are close to or someone that has always been there for you or made you feel secure and loved.
In India, same-sex parenting is pretty much possible. After the decriminalisation of the section 377, many fertility clinics in India are providing an opportunity for same-sex and transgender couples to have babies. Even if that means a couple wanting to have a biological child or a child which has their genes. To conceive via IVF one needs to follow the following steps:
Consult a fertility doctor to check out the various possible options,
Get a lawyer who is experienced with all the legal formalities in order to go through this process legally. They will also be experienced with the reproductive laws which will also help with the pregnancy via a third person.
Consult a Psychologist. We at MindTribe provide counselling to same-sex couples, transgender couples or anyone from the LGBTQ+ community who would like to conceive a child via IVF.
Why is Psychological help important during/undergoing IVF treatment?
One may not realise but conceiving a baby can be challenging in itself and that too if you are a same-sex or a transgender couple. Undergoing IVF treatment can cause a lot of stress. Making multiple attempts can also lead individuals or couples to depression, stress or anxiety etc. To conceive a baby in a healthy way the couple or an individual must take psychological counselling so that they have a healthy mindset which will also give them the strength and support to deal with the entire procedure.
The IVF process can be different for Lesbians, Gays, and Transgenders, which is why we need to have a tailor-made approach for each one of them. A Psychologist understands the process and uniquely helps each one of them until the baby is born and then has follow-up sessions just to make sure that an individual or a couple is not going from postpartum or any other kind of stress, anxiety or depression.
Ways through which same-sex couples and transgender couples can conceive.
Third-Party IVF: Lesbian and a gay couple can seek a child biologically via third-party IVF which includes surrogacy in which a baby can be produced by donating an egg or a sperm.
Split Egg Retrieval for Gay and Transgender women Couples: In this, a couple can bring a child biologically by splitting the egg and fertilization by both the partner’s sperm.
Reciprocal IVF for Lesbians and Transgender Male Couples: In this, one provides the egg and the other can carry the baby. This way both the partners can become a part of the process biologically.
Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.
About MindTribe.in.
MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.
About the Author.
Guntass Cour Sandhu is a psychologist at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.