L S Steele1, H Stratmann. 1. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe an approach to counseling lesbian patients about getting pregnant. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Information in this paper is based on evidence from randomized controlled trials (level I evidence), non-randomized trials (level II evidence), expert opinion (level III evidence), and government regulations. MAIN MESSAGE: We review 5 steps that comprise an approach to counseling lesbian patients about getting pregnant safely and efficiently. These steps are preconception care (including counseling, testing, and immunization); donor choice (including explaining the risks and benefits of choosing between a known or anonymous donor and the difference between fresh and frozen semen); donor testing (including Health Canada's requirements for semen processing and recommendations for testing before home insemination); ordering the semen (including information about sperm banks and the need for "Canadian compliant" semen); and the insemination process (including techniques for monitoring ovulation and various methods of insemination). CONCLUSION: Primary care physicians can help lesbians achieve pregnancy by providing education, testing, referrals, and insemination services.
OBJECTIVE: To describe an approach to counseling lesbian patients about getting pregnant. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Information in this paper is based on evidence from randomized controlled trials (level I evidence), non-randomized trials (level II evidence), expert opinion (level III evidence), and government regulations. MAIN MESSAGE: We review 5 steps that comprise an approach to counseling lesbian patients about getting pregnant safely and efficiently. These steps are preconception care (including counseling, testing, and immunization); donor choice (including explaining the risks and benefits of choosing between a known or anonymous donor and the difference between fresh and frozen semen); donor testing (including Health Canada's requirements for semen processing and recommendations for testing before home insemination); ordering the semen (including information about sperm banks and the need for "Canadian compliant" semen); and the insemination process (including techniques for monitoring ovulation and various methods of insemination). CONCLUSION: Primary care physicians can help lesbians achieve pregnancy by providing education, testing, referrals, and insemination services.