Real surrogacy stories reveal the emotional journeys of intended parents and surrogates, highlighting love, gratitude and connection. And alongside, how to move forward when things don’t go to ‘plan’.
Thinking about Reciprocal IVF and travelling for treatment? Here’s how it works in Denmark (& what to plan for)
Denmark has become a popular destination for Reciprocal IVF abroad thanks to progressive legislation, shorter wait times, lower procedure costs. Together with an expert team, we’ve pulled together this guide to the process and timeline, along with a handy checklist for how to prepare as a UK couple.
LGBTQ+ family planning – your mental health guide
Building a family as an LGBTQ+ parent-to-be can be complex — emotionally, logistically, and financially. This supportive guide shares practical advice and mental health tips tailored to your unique path.
Looking for a sperm donor? London Sperm Bank works with over 80% of UK clinics – here’s how to get started
Where do we start? With so much information out there, picking through it all can feel like a lot – so we’ve partnered with London Sperm Bank to help you separate the wheat from the chaff.
On-the-pulse fertility treatment options in the UK – from inclusive care to fertility preservation, here’s how to navigate
Up-to-date advice and guidance on getting started always come best from the experts. And for this, we turn to UK-wide clinical network TFP Fertility, every time. Read on for the very latest on their inclusive, full-service treatment options, and pointers for what to ask to get the ball rolling.
5 must-ask questions when choosing LGBTQIA+ inclusive fertility care
For LGBTQ+ individuals on the journey to parenthood, finding a fertility clinic that offers inclusive care is crucial, but not always simple. We’ve put together 5 key questions to ask to help you begin your journey.
IVF films, TV picks & documentaries – here’s our 2025 watch list
Seeing your own experiences reflected on-screen can be a game-changer—especially when it comes to fertility. From raw, real TTC journeys to the emotional rollercoaster of IVF, IUI, and baby loss, some standout docs and films capture it all. And let’s be honest, sometimes you just need to see someone else navigating the chaos to feel [...]
The whole 9 months – how to support your GC across their pregnancy
Actually, it’s more like 10. For top LGBTQ+ surrogacy agency Be Parent, that’s the first tip for anyone prepping to support their gestational carrier (GC) or surrogate across her pregnancy. Know your dates, key milestones and process - we promise it’ll be appreciated, when you’re connecting and sorting out the details. LGBT surrogacy and gestational [...]
GoStork – find your egg donor or surrogacy agency via the largest revolutionary platform
With more than 20 years of experience, Eran Amir has worked as both a software development and product management executive in Israel and the Greater New York Area. The development of GoStork combines his professional skill-set with a personal mission. After undergoing a long, difficult, and costly process to expand his family via surrogacy and [...]
What is inclusive parenting?
Inclusive parenting is very much about language. So let's start with a definition. Inclusive parenting, defined Inclusive parenting is a framework. It's designed to make language around parenting and family relevant and inclusive for all. And it's used right across the world, by more people, every day. Here at The Ribbon Box we're committed to [...]
Help them take pride – 5 ways to empower donor-conceived kids
In collab with Sensitive Matters, and special friends from our LGBTQ+ community, we’ve put together our top tips for raising confident donor-conceived children, empowering them to take pride in all that they are. Pride is important. From Pride Month itself, to taking pride in who you are, pride in all its forms is precious. As [...]
How a Lesbian Couple, a Heterosexual Couple and a Solo Parent Chose Their Sperm Donors
Choosing a sperm donor - three unique perspectives (& where to start) At The Ribbon Box, we know that choosing a sperm donor is a very personal decision and there’s no one-size-fits all approach. Settling on your chosen sperm donor might be the result of months combing through profiles, or maybe you’ll come across a [...]
How Does Egg Donation Work? And Your Other FAQs Answered
Are you considering using donor eggs for fertility treatment and wondered what the process of fresh egg donation is like? So are many others. In fact, we recently ran an Instagram poll and discovered that 40% of our fertility community are interested in using donor eggs for fertility treatment. Yet egg donation is often shrouded [...]
Personalised Children’s Books about Donor-Conception
Anyone who regularly interacts with children knows they're naturally curious. "Why are you wearing your red gloves?", "What would happen if I ate my banana skin?", "How does an aeroplane fly?" and most parents will likely be asked something like: "How was I made?" at some point. For parents of surrogate or donor-conceived children, questions [...]
10 infertility blogs to follow – for real-time, empathetic support
Infertility can feel isolating, especially since this is often considered such a taboo topic. Blogs can be a great way for the infertility community to empower, inspire, educate and unite those who are struggling with infertility. The Ribbon Box has sought out a good and inclusive variety of helpful infertility blogs which we think speak [...]
Single Gay Man is Becoming a Dad Thanks to Surrogacy Overseas
Today on The Ribbon Box, we're super excited to speak with Marvin Lemmen, from the Netherlands. Marvin is a single gay intended parent (IP), who is currently trying to have a baby via gestational surrogacy. He's sharing his fertility / surrogacy journey to date, in the hope that it will break stigma and inspire other [...]
Sperm donation stories – why become a donor? Quotes, experiences, motivations & more
Sperm donation stories always start with a core motivation. Why become a sperm donor, and what are the misconceptions donors want to address?
Building a family through reciprocal IVF – the Baileys’ story
Discover how the IVF reciprocal technique made the Baileys’ dream of parenthood a reality. A heartfelt journey of love, resilience & modern science.
Laura-Rose Thorogood on LGBTQ+ family building, and being ‘The Other Mother’
What happens when you think you understand and think you’re ready for the challenges you’ll face when building a family in a different way, but then something or someone comes out of the blue and knocks you off your feet? The lovely Laura-Rose from LGBT Mummies has spoken openly about her experience with how LGBT+ [...]
‘Social Infertility’ – I didn’t choose to be gay
Navigating social infertility? In a heartfelt interview, Millie from @jessi_and_millie opens up on finding community & redefining family on her terms.
Two dads on a mission – everything to know about UK surrogacy, egg donation & TwoDads UK
Hearing from ambassadors who’ve walked the walk and know first-hand the intricacies of egg donation and surrogacy inside out, is invaluable. So we picked up with the wonderful Michael and Wes, founders of TwoDads UK.
