For couples deciding to start a family, it can at first seem daunting. Not only is there the responsibility of having a completely new little person in your home, but for some LGBT+ couples there is also the process of fertility treatment.

But don’t let that worry hold you back, shares Joanna Perry. She and her wife, Sarah, went to Waterstone Clinic when they decided to have a child. Joanna can understand why people would be a little nervous at first - “It’s a really big decision, but if you just call the clinic, that’s the first step. You can change your mind, they are really clear about that, but once you have the information, you feel a lot better about your decision. Otherwise it’s a lot of guessing and presuming, and that gets stressful.”

Some couples might be nervous they could be treated differently to non-LGBT+ couples, but that is not the case at all. Joanna confirms, “It was a really wonderful experience. had no complaints. didn’t feel awkward at any point. They are very supportive, they are there with you the whole way through.”

The Waterstone Clinic has helped hundreds of women and couples become parents with the use of donor sperm. They are keen to share the process to remove any concerns you may have. When you decide to start your family, they assess your fertility to choose the treatment that’s best for you. You’ll then have a meeting with their dedicated sperm donation co-ordinator who will help you through the process of assessments, blood tests, counselling, and selecting your donor. Once you’re ready to start your treatment, they import the sperm from your chosen donor, and their medical team prepare you for your treatment, which is usually IUI (sometimes called ‘artificial insemination’) or IVF treatment. Two weeks later, you can take a pregnancy test, and they perform your early pregnancy scans.

“You just have to take it a step at a time,” Joanna explains. She and Sarah could not be more positive about the experience, and why wouldn’t they be, with a beautiful nine week old daughter at home. “We are very, very happy,” Joanna smiled, “She’s perfect.

Waterstone Clinic have spent the last 16 years building an incredible team who are devoted to your care. Their clinics have excellent success rates, measured by the number of babies born from treatments in their clinics: 5,000 babies and counting to date.

They are dedicated to leaving no stone unturned to find the solution that works for you and are with you every step of the way.

Free support and advice are available by phone - 0818 333 310 - or email advice@waterstoneclinic.ie

See www.waterstoneclinic.ie for more details.