“Shared motherhood” fertility treatment now available for Irish female same-sex couples

Great news for female couples.

An Irish fertility clinic is now offering same sex female couples 'shared motherhood' treatments for the first time ever in the country. As part of the new fertility treatment, female same-sex couples will be able to share in the birthing process. The Sims IVF clinic are offering the new “shared motherhood” treatment for female same-sex couples which is a first in Ireland. As part of the new service, the eggs from one of the parents will be used to create embryos after being fertilised in vitro with a donor sperm. This means one of the parents will be classified as the “genetic mother” while the other partner will act as the “gestational mother” including both women in the motherhood experience. According to GCN, Doctor John Kennedy, who launched this new programme, said;

“It is a positive progressive especially given the imminent enacting of the Child and Family Relationships Act.”

Couples thinking of undergoing the 'shared motherhood' treatment are advised by the clinic to use an identifiable sperm donor. Under the rules of the Children and Family’s Relationship Act anonymous donations are not allowed. With more changes being made to make Ireland a more equal place for all parents this new fertility treatment is just one more step in helping all expectant parents feel more included in the parenthood experience.