Same-Sex Couples Share Their Stories

We had such a great experience with reciprocal IVF and highly recommend RSC to anybody considering IVF. Dr. Pang was fantastic -- very patiently answering all of our questions and addressing each of our concerns during our meetings. The nurses were very professional and caring. And overall coordinating and scheduling of the many appointments was easy with the RSC team walking us through each step of this often confusing nand daunting process. However, the best and ultimate testimonial is the birth of our healthy baby after our first cycle!

Chris and Joe Palmer-Poirier
Excerpted with permission from Boston Spirit Magazine (November/December 2008)

When they initially came out, Chris and Joe Palmer-Poirier assumed they would never be fathers. Joe said he didn't feel it was "in the cards for me." Years later, as a couple, other friends started families and they soon realized it was very much in their cards. They decided to "solidify" their relationship in every way, legally with marriage and then children," says Chris. They were married in 2004 with enthusiastic support from both sides of their families.

Chris and Joe Palmer-Poirer got married and decided to start a family in 2004. Joe's sister Ann volunteered to be their egg donor and Chris' sister Linda lovingly offered to carry and give birth to their baby. Chris explains, "I did a lot of homework to find the best solution for us. We reviewed cost, background and success rates for the IVF specialists in our area, and made a lot of calls. One clinic said they hadn't worked with a same-sex couple so they had to present our "case to the ethics board at [the hospital]."

When they decided to use the Reproductive Science Center of New England, they were unaware that RSC Medical Director, Samuel Pang, MD is gay. The Center's success rates were the basis of their choice. "Unsuccessful fertility treatments can cost a great deal and take years," says Chris. "The Reproductive Science Center seemed to be the best value given their success rates," he adds. The couple's IVF treatment led to the birth of Keith Palmer-Poirier in July 2006.

Jennifer and Marina Novoa
Excerpted with permission from Boston Spirit Magazine (January/February 2009)

Jennifer and Marina always wanted to have children. They heard that through "elective IVF" both female partners could participate and each one would be identified as mothers on their child's birth certificate. "I always wanted to experience pregnancy and child birth," says Jennifer, "and I really wanted that process if possible." After a complete fertility work-up, they were referred to the Reproductive Science Center of New England (RSC) to begin the IVF process. "RSC was really good at guiding us through the legal paperwork required for a female couple. They seemed to have a large gay and lesbian clientele and we have a positive opinion about the Reproductive Science Center," explains Marina.

Through hormone therapy, Marina's ovaries were stimulated to produce multiple eggs, and Jennifer took hormones to prepare her uterus for embryo implantation. After three weeks, they were ready for the IVF procedure. Thirteen eggs were retrieved from Marina's ovaries and inseminated with their chosen sperm donor. The embryologists at RSC took great care of the 10 resulting embryos and about 5 days later, the best embryo of the cohort was selected for transfer to Jennifer.

"We were very blessed to have good fertility experts and got pregnant on our first try," exclaims Jennifer. All went well and little Oliver was born. "He's a long skinny dude and glorious," says Marina.

Gregory Hughes and Stacey Kuhlman

From the beginning of our relationship we knew that having a child was important to us. When the time was right for us to begin the next step for our family we were very fortunate to have a friend refer us to Dr. Pang and the Reproductive Science Center of New England. Our research into their reputation and statistics made them an easy choice for us, despite the distance from our home. There was never a moment when we regretted our decision to use RSC. Although the details involved in arranging a gestational surrogacy often seemed daunting, the staff of the Center always made us feel that everything was well under control and ensured that we never left with unanswered questions. Throughout it all, each and every member of the RSC staff we encountered demonstrated the utmost respect for our relationship. After two cycles of IVF we achieved a successful pregnancy and are now supremely blessed with a healthy and amazing daughter.

Greg, Stacey and their daughter Vianne live in Maryland.

Michele Barry and Emily Twaddell
"We were referred to a specific doctor at the Reproductive Science Center because of her reputation, but made our decision because RSC had the best success metrics," says Michele Barry. She and her partner, Emily Twaddell, are the happy parents of twins Katie (left) and Lizzie, who were born as a result of IVF.

"We had an excellent doctor," explains Michele, "but the care we received from the RSC nursing staff is our strongest, most positive, lasting memory."

"Because there were infertility issues," says Emily, "ours was a 12 cycle process that stretched out for a year and a half. The quality of the relationship that was developed, especially between Michele and the nurses, was very important."

"The nurses were technically and emotionally skilled" adds Michele, "and I was a very difficult patient. In fact, I think I set a record for being the world's worst patient. But, our primary nurse was always kind, responsive to our phone calls and questions. She gave helpful information and I also appreciated the Center's hours, which accommodated my work schedule."

Michele and Emily live in Massachusetts and are married. (In fact, they were the first same-sex couple to get a marriage license in their hometown).