The desire to have a child together is just as natural for lesbian couples as it is for everyone else. What differs is the path to achieving this, as it raises specific questions: medical, legal and also deeply personal ones. And it requires decisions that heterosexual couples do not have to make in this way. In this article, we would like to give you an overview of the options and challenges involved. We will also show you how we can support you at the Dr Loimer Fertility Clinic in Linz.
Who gets pregnant? One of the most important questions
One of the first and most important questions lesbian couples ask themselves is: Which of us will carry the baby? This is not purely a medical question, but also a very personal one. Some couples reach a decision quickly and by mutual agreement, whilst others need time and in-depth discussions.
Various factors play a role in the decision: Who has the stronger biological desire to be pregnant themselves? What is the current state of health of both partners? How do both partners wish to relate to the child? And how will parenthood be shared between the two of them?
There is no right or wrong answer to these questions. What matters is that both partners stand behind the decision and feel comfortable with it. An open discussion about this – as early as possible and without pressure – is the best foundation for all further steps.
Role distribution and expectations: What concerns lesbian couples
As well as the question of who will carry the child, lesbian couples often face further questions regarding roles and expectations. Who will take on which responsibilities after the birth? How will the non-birth mother be involved from the very start? And how will both partners deal with the comments from those around them – some well-meaning, others less helpful?
Social expectations can create additional pressure here. Lesbian couples often find themselves in an environment that has little experience of their specific situation. Friends, family or employers do not always react as understandingly as one might wish. A stable support network of people who stand by you without prejudice, and psychological support where needed, can be helpful. Both can help you cope better with challenges and navigate your journey as a couple with greater confidence, even during difficult phases.
Clarify legal and financial aspects at an early stage
For lesbian couples, the journey to starting a family also involves legal and financial considerations that should be addressed at an early stage. In Austria, the law stipulates that the partner of the biological mother (provided the two are not married or in a civil partnership) must adopt the child or acknowledge parenthood in order to be legally recognised as the second mother. This step is important and should be included in the planning from the outset, so that both mothers are legally protected.
From a financial perspective, too, it makes sense to get an overview at an early stage: medical treatments in the field of reproductive medicine involve costs that can vary depending on the method and course of treatment. We recommend finding out about the expected costs before treatment begins and discussing them openly.
Medical options: from insemination to the ROPA method
There are various medical options available to lesbian couples wishing to have a child. Which one is right depends on the individual situation, the wishes of both partners, and the medical requirements.
One option is insemination with donor sperm, in which processed sperm is inserted directly into the uterus. This is relatively straightforward and is often the first step.
A special option that we offer at the Dr Loimer Fertility Clinic is the ROPA method (Reception of Oocytes from Partner). In this procedure, one partner donates her eggs, which are fertilised in the laboratory. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the other partner’s uterus. And this is precisely what makes the ROPA method so special for lesbian couples: both women are part of the pregnancy and can experience it together from the very first moment.
In safe hands at the Dr Loimer Fertility Clinic
The journey to having a baby is marked by many decisions, big and small, by anticipation, challenges and, at times, uncertainty. The good news, however, is that you don’t have to go through it alone. The Dr Loimer Fertility Clinic in Linz is a place where your questions are taken seriously and where both partners are given equal attention. When you feel that it’s time to take the next step, we’re here to support you. Please get in touch – we look forward to meeting you both!
June 2026