Embarking on a journey to become parents can be scary, especially for LGBTQ+ people who face additional challenges due to societal stigma and legal obstacles. GCN spoke to Aishling and Amanda, two Irish mothers who shared their experience of becoming parents through IVF treatment with the help of Thérapie Fertility Clinic.

“We had both discussed wanting to start a family but didn’t really know how to go about it, so we went straight to Google,” the couple shared. “We decided to go with Therapié because firstly it was close to us. Any testimonials about them were amazing and very reassuring. And then, when we saw they had the free nurse consultation, we decided to just go for it.”

Thérapie Fertility prides itself on being at the forefront of reproductive health for over three years, leveraging cutting-edge technology and a compassionate team. It offers a comprehensive suite of services: Reciprocal IVF, Egg Freezing, Sperm & Embryo Freezing, and Fertility Testing. Recognising the diverse needs of modern families, Thérapie Fertility is dedicated to offering personalised care that respects and supports each patient’s journey.

“From our very first meeting with Thérapie, they were honestly amazing,” the two mothers said. “Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, which you really need when going through this. It puts you at ease. They were always quick to respond to any queries or worries we had. And they’re honest. Dr. Kennedy is amazing. So welcoming and just warm, which made us feel at ease from our first meeting with him.”

Speaking about some challenges they faced during the process, the couple said: “We initially went to Thérapie for an IUI (Intrauterine insemination). This ended up a success and we became pregnant, but unfortunately at 7 weeks, it ended in an ectopic pregnancy. I lost my right tube during surgery, as well as our baby.”

“It was a horrible time, but Thérapie were amazing. They rang us both regularly throughout the aftermath to make sure we were ok, told us of counselling options if we felt we needed it. We knew they were hurt by this loss too.”

“And then, when we were ready to try again, Dr. Kennedy met with us. Talked us through IVF, which was obviously the next step,” the two mothers shared. “Again he was so straightforward and honest. No false promises. Made us very aware that once we had one ectopic another could be more likely. But also assured us we would be brought in earlier and checked over if we fell pregnant to make sure the pregnancy was where it needed to be. We couldn’t have asked for any more from them during that time.”

When asked what they would say to other LGBTQ+ people wishing to embark on this journey to become parents, the couple spoke about how having clinicians that walk you through every step of the process is so important. “Our advice would be to not be afraid. There can be so much apprehension around fertility and IVF, because you don’t know what to expect,” the two mothers said.

“But honestly, everything is worth it in the end when you have your beautiful baby in your arms. Thérapie’s nurse consultation is a great way to take the first step. It’s free, and you don’t have to commit to anything. Take that first step and see what your options are. The rest will fall into place.”

For more information on services and care for couples wishing to build a family, visit Thérapie Fertility Clinic.