Author: P. Baetens

Source: Human Reproduction Update, Volume 7, Number 5, 1 July 2001 , pp. 512-519(8)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

Although a variety of ways exist of becoming a lesbian mother, an increasing number of lesbian couples have began to visit fertility centres requesting donor insemination (DI). The practice of inseminating lesbian couples remains a controversial issue within the reproductive medicine world. Lesbian mothers offer their children a familial context, which differs on a number of important characteristics from the traditional heterosexual family. In lesbian families, a father has been absent right from the start, and the child is raised by two mothers. The present article reviews whether there is any theoretical and/or empirical evidence for the most common assumptions with regard to lesbian motherhood. It also reports on a number of studies in which the practice of counselling lesbian couples is discussed. Although many important research questions have yet to be addressed, none of the investigations carried out so far could identify an adverse effect of lesbian motherhood on child development. Counselling lesbian couples for DI should aim to provide information about the practical aspects of the treatment. The requests of lesbian couples, however, differ substantially from those of single mothers and heterosexual couples. Counsellors should respect these differences and focus upon the specific living conditions of lesbian families.

Keywords: counselling; donor insemination; lesbian couples

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Centre for Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Brussels

Publication date: 2001-07-01

More about this publication?

• Human Reproduction Update, first published in 1995, aims to provide invited, comprehensive, authoritative, up-to-date critical and balanced reviews covering all areas of human reproduction including reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology and counselling, ethics and social issues. These papers are peer-reviewed to the highest editorial and scientific standards. Human Reproduction Update is published on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Anatomy & Physiology ,  Library Science ,  Obstetrics & Gynecology
• By this author: P. Baetens

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers