The Kindbody Blog
Your resource for all things fertility, wellness, and women's health
Recent Posts
- Advanced embryology and laboratory technologies
- Innovation in embryo development
- Expanded laboratory capabilities
- Active treatment cycles and patient care
- Clinical excellence and improved patient outcomes
This approach allows our laboratory teams to dedicate more resources to patients actively undergoing treatment while ensuring long-term stored tissue remains protected in facilities purpose-built for preservation.
A Thoughtful Long-Term Strategy
Our decision to partner with NECC was guided by several important considerations:
- Enhanced long-term specimen protection
- Specialized cryogenic storage expertise
- Robust disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities
- Geographic and regulatory stability for reproductive healthcare
- Additional transport protections and oversight
- Long-term cost management and sustainability
Most importantly, the partnership reflects our commitment to making decisions that prioritize patients and their future family-building goals.
"Patients trust us with some of the most important assets they will ever have—their future family-building options," said David Stern, CEO at Kindbody. "This partnership is an investment in the infrastructure, expertise, and long-term protections necessary to preserve that trust while allowing our clinical teams to remain focused on providing exceptional care."
Looking Ahead
As reproductive healthcare continues to advance, Kindbody remains committed to delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality fertility care while continuously strengthening the systems that support our patients.
Our partnership with NECC represents an important step forward in that commitment—combining clinical excellence, specialized expertise, and a patient-first approach to help protect reproductive tissue and support families for years to come.
Because when it comes to preserving future possibilities, protecting what matters most will always remain our highest priority.
" ["post_title"]=> string(111) "Protecting What Matters Most: Strengthening Long-Term Reproductive Tissue Storage Through Partnership with NECC" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(217) "As reproductive healthcare continues to advance, Kindbody remains committed to delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality fertility care while continuously strengthening the systems that support our patients." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(110) "protecting-what-matters-most-strengthening-long-term-reproductive-tissue-storage-through-partnership-with-necc" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2026-06-18 10:13:39" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-18 14:13:39" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=11959" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [3]=> object(WP_Post)#16744 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(11953) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2026-06-16 15:15:14" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-16 19:15:14" ["post_content"]=> string(5045) "Family-building is not a one-size-fits-all experience, and inclusive fertility benefits are an increasingly important way employers can support employees across a wide range of paths to parenthood. Employer surveys consistently show that fertility and family-building benefits are increasingly added in response to employee feedback, with benefits consultants reporting that demand from employees is one of the primary drivers of expanded coverage.
The following email templates can be used to start a conversation with HR about expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees. One is written from the perspective of an LGBTQ+ employee, and the other from an ally standpoint. Both are designed to help clearly and respectfully communicate why inclusive coverage matters and how it supports employees across a range of paths to parenthood.
Subject: Request for More Inclusive Family-Building Benefits
Dear HR Team,
I’m writing to share feedback about our current benefits offerings and to encourage the company to consider expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees.
As an LGBTQ+ employee, family building often comes with additional financial, medical, and logistical barriers. Many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples rely on services such as IVF, IUI, donor sperm or eggs, reciprocal IVF, fertility preservation, surrogacy, or adoption support in order to become parents. Unfortunately, many traditional health plans were not designed with LGBTQ+ pathways to parenthood in mind, leaving significant gaps in coverage and support.
Inclusive family-building benefits are increasingly becoming an important part of comprehensive healthcare and DEI strategies at leading employers. These benefits not only support employees during deeply personal life moments, but also help companies attract and retain talent, improve employee wellbeing, and foster a more inclusive workplace culture.
I believe expanding fertility and family-building support would have a meaningful impact on employees across the organization, including LGBTQ+ employees, single parents by choice, and individuals facing infertility or other reproductive health challenges.
I would welcome the opportunity to share additional resources or feedback if helpful, and I appreciate your consideration of this important area of employee support.
Thank you for your time and for the work you do to support employees.
—------
Subject: Request for More Inclusive Family-Building Benefits
Dear HR Team,
I’m writing to encourage the company to consider expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees.
As workplaces continue to prioritize inclusion and employee wellbeing, family-building benefits have become an increasingly important part of creating equitable support systems for employees at all stages of life. This is especially important for LGBTQ+ employees, who often face additional financial, medical, and logistical barriers when pursuing parenthood.
Many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples rely on services such as IVF, IUI, donor sperm or eggs, reciprocal IVF, surrogacy, fertility preservation, or adoption support to grow their families. Unfortunately, many traditional health plans still do not fully support these pathways, creating gaps in access and affordability.
Offering inclusive fertility and family-building benefits would demonstrate a meaningful commitment to supporting diverse employees and families. These benefits can also positively impact recruitment, retention, employee satisfaction, and overall workplace culture.
I know this topic would resonate with many employees across the organization, including LGBTQ+ employees, people navigating infertility, single parents by choice, and others exploring nontraditional paths to parenthood.
I appreciate your consideration and would be happy to help share additional information or resources if helpful.
Thank you for your time and for the work you do to support employees.
" ["post_title"]=> string(70) "Advocating for More Inclusive Family-Building Benefits: Email Template" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(414) "The following email templates can be used to start a conversation with HR about expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees. One is written from the perspective of an LGBTQ+ employee, and the other from an ally standpoint. Both are designed to help clearly and respectfully communicate why inclusive coverage matters and how it supports employees across a range of paths to parenthood." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(69) "advocating-for-more-inclusive-family-building-benefits-email-template" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2026-06-16 15:15:15" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-16 19:15:15" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=11953" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [4]=> object(WP_Post)#16743 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(11935) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2026-06-09 12:21:20" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-09 16:21:20" ["post_content"]=> string(7258) "In recent years, conversations about fertility and family building have become more visible in the workplace. For LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, this shift has been especially important. More LGBTQ+ people are actively planning to grow their families through IVF, IUI, reciprocal IVF, surrogacy, and adoption, yet access to coverage still varies widely across employers.
While some companies are expanding inclusive family-building benefits, many still have gaps in coverage for LGBTQ+ employees, particularly around donor gametes, surrogacy, fertility preservation, and adoption. Today, only a portion of large employers offer fertility benefits, which means many LGBTQ+ employees are still paying out of pocket for medically necessary and emotionally significant care.
These journeys can be costly, complex, and emotionally demanding. Inclusive fertility benefits help reduce financial strain while also signaling that all paths to parenthood are valued equally.
Asking for fertility benefits can feel personal, but you are far from alone. Many employers have added or expanded coverage directly in response to employee requests, including from LGBTQ+ employees and allies advocating for more inclusive policies.
So how do you ask for fertility and family-building benefits at work?
Do your research
Start by understanding both the business case and the inclusion gap.
For LGBTQ+ employees, fertility benefits are not only about IVF coverage. They often need inclusive policies that support a wider range of pathways, including:
- IVF and IUI
- Reciprocal IVF
- Egg or sperm donation
- Fertility preservation prior to gender-affirming care
- Surrogacy support and coordination
- Adoption and foster care support
From an employer perspective, fertility and family-building benefits are increasingly tied to recruitment, retention, and inclusion goals. They are often positioned as a core component of DEI and total rewards strategy.
Research shows that employees who receive fertility coverage are more likely to stay with their employer, report higher engagement, and feel greater loyalty. This applies strongly to LGBTQ+ employees, for whom inclusive benefits can be a deciding factor in whether a workplace feels safe and supportive.
Approach HR (or bring in an ally)
Talking to HR about fertility and family building can feel vulnerable, especially for LGBTQ+ employees who may not be out at work or who have experienced previous exclusion.
If you prefer not to do it alone, consider involving an ally. This could be:
- A manager you trust
- A colleague or mentor
- A member of an LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG)
- A benefits or People team advocate
You are not alone in needing these benefits. Many LGBTQ+ employees and their allies are raising these same questions across organizations. In some cases, an ally or ERG leader can help initiate or amplify the conversation in a way that feels safer and more comfortable.
There is strength in numbers
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are often one of the most effective ways to drive change in workplace benefits.
For LGBTQ+ employees, LGBTQ+ ERGs (and intersecting groups such as parents, caregivers, or DEI councils) can play a key role in:
- Highlighting gaps in family-building coverage for LGBTQ+ pathways
- Bringing visibility to shared needs across the organization
- Partnering with HR to shape more inclusive benefits design
In some cases, ERGs or employee groups may also choose to organize a simple employee petition or sign-on letter. This can be a powerful way to demonstrate broad, visible demand for inclusive fertility and family-building benefits, especially when it reflects multiple identities and departments across the company. A petition does not need to be complicated; even a clear statement of need paired with employee signatures can help leadership understand the level of interest and urgency.
If you want to bring this forward through an ERG, consider reaching out to the ERG lead and asking:
- Whether inclusive family-building benefits are already on their agenda
- If they would be willing to sponsor or elevate the conversation with HR
- How you can contribute employee perspectives or stories (if you are comfortable)
Collective advocacy can be especially powerful in making sure LGBTQ+ family-building needs are not overlooked in broader fertility benefit discussions.
We can help
If you’re interested in bringing Kindbody to your workplace, we can support that conversation. You can fill out this form and we can reach out to your company on your behalf, either anonymously or directly, depending on your preference.
" ["post_title"]=> string(79) "How LGBTQ+ Employees Can Ask for Fertility and Family-Building Benefits at Work" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(249) "Asking for fertility benefits can feel personal, but you are far from alone. Many employers have added or expanded coverage directly in response to employee requests, including from LGBTQ+ employees and allies advocating for more inclusive policies." ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(78) "how-lgbtq-employees-can-ask-for-fertility-and-family-building-benefits-at-work" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2026-06-09 12:21:21" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-09 16:21:21" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=11935" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [5]=> object(WP_Post)#16702 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(8617) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2026-06-01 12:53:01" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-06-01 16:53:01" ["post_content"]=> string(4649) "By Tanner Brunsdale, Head of Benefits & Global Mobility at Lyft
Fertility benefits have made headlines in recent years with more and more companies offering financial support to assist their employees with family building. Fertility care is reproductive care that involves treatments like egg freezing, and in vitro fertilization (IVF). They may include family-building programs like gestational surrogacy and adoption - but they don’t always, and when they do, the dollar amount is often much less than the services designed for heterosexual couples. The fact that companies offer fertility assistance at all is progress. After all, these benefits are a relatively new concept, introduced a decade ago when a few large technology companies began offering egg freezing in an effort to attract more women to their workforce. But there is still much work to do, especially as it relates to the LGBTQ+ community, because there is no LGBTQ+ equality without equal access to family building.
Three years ago my husband Wesley and I became adoptive dads to our beautiful daughter Olivia thanks to the financial support of my employer, Lyft, where I lead our global benefits program. Lyft offers surrogacy and adoption programs through Kindbody as part of its inclusive reproductive care and family-building benefits program. As an adoptive child myself, I always knew I wanted to be an adoptive dad, but when you are part of a same sex couple, a family requires much more than dreams. Most same sex couples will require fertility or adoption services to have a family. Without the financial support of my employer, I may not have been able to have my family.
Not every company can offer financial support for inclusive family building but every company can do something. Benefits leaders can begin by taking stock of what benefits are in place. Does your company offer fertility benefits and, if so, are there restrictions to care? If your company requires a medical infertility diagnosis, which can only be obtained by heterosexual couples, it excludes the LGBTQ+ community. Adding family-building benefits that cover all paths to parenthood does much more than create inclusive workplaces; there's a solid business case to do so.
Family-building benefits save companies money by controlling healthcare costs. LGBTQ+ employees are increasingly choosing to build their family through surrogacy and adoption. Clinically-managed family-building benefits, like Kindbody, control the end-to-end fertility experience which leads to a successful singleton pregnancy faster, with fewer preterm births, and ultimately lower healthcare costs. Our benefits partner Kindbody also offers surrogacy and adoption coaching and care navigation to support LGBTQ+ family building that ultimately helps navigate employees to a successful outcome faster, also saving on costs.
An inclusive benefits offering boosts recruiting efforts and helps keep top talent. Today’s employees are savvy about fertility and family-building benefits and are making career choices based on the companies that offer them. Almost 70% of employees would switch jobs to gain family-building benefits and 81% of employees would stay at their company longer if their employer offered them.
There is no workplace DEI without LGBTQ+ benefits parity. An essential part of an equitable benefits program is that people have access to build their family however they want, without having to have an underlying diagnosis of infertility. In fact, nearly 60% of benefits managers believe it would be a discriminatory HR policy to offer fertility coverage only to employees diagnosed with fertility issues.
LGBTQ+ equality is not possible without equal access to family building. As an employer, be the change and establish workplace policies that support all of your employees regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. Benefits leaders can speak up and work together to accelerate change in the workplace, and in the world, where all people can realize the family of their dreams.
Doctor: Dr. Rachael Cohen
Treatments: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Choosing Kindbody was one of the best decisions we made on our IVF journey. From the very first appointment, Dr. Cohen made us feel confident and supported. She knew exactly what my body needed, which protocol to use, and guided us with honesty, clarity, and compassion every step of the way. I came in with over 50 questions, and she answered every single one without hesitation.
From day one, we knew in our hearts that we were in the right place. Our experience was made even more special by the incredible Kindbody team who walked this journey with us. Dana, our ultrasound technician, brought warmth and reassurance to every appointment and always took the time to answer my questions. Anjelica was truly my rock detail-oriented, caring, and invested in every step of our process. Kiana, from the lab team, kept us smiling with her positivity and constant encouragement. And Charity and Kevin, along with the entire embryology team, cared for our embryos with such precision and love, keeping us informed and supported through every update and transfer day.
Our first embryo transfer took place in July 2024, and one year after graduating from Kindbody, we are blessed beyond words with our Kindbaby, Lovelynn, who is now 9 months old. She is healthy, happy, and the absolute light of our lives. She is our miracle, and we are forever grateful to the team who helped make our dream happen.
As we reflect on this past year with deep gratitude, we are excited to share that we are planning our next frozen embryo transfer for the end of January or beginning of February, hoping to grow our family once again. Returning to Kindbody feels like coming home to the place where our fears were met with compassion and our hopes turned into miracles. To anyone considering IVF or beginning this journey: it is not easy, but you do not have to walk it alone. With the right care, the right team, and the right support, hope is always possible. Kindbody gave us more than fertility care they gave us trust, confidence, and our family. We will always be thankful. IVF is… Joining a club you never wanted to be a member of, but realizing the members are legends.
" ["post_title"]=> string(15) "Celibeth Thomas" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(417) "Returning to Kindbody feels like coming home to the place where our fears were met with compassion and our hopes turned into miracles. To anyone considering IVF or beginning this journey: it is not easy, but you do not have to walk it alone. With the right care, the right team, and the right support, hope is always possible. Kindbody gave us more than fertility care they gave us trust, confidence, and our family. " ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(15) "celibeth-thomas" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2026-07-08 10:55:21" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2026-07-08 14:55:21" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=11964" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } ["comment_count"]=> int(0) ["current_comment"]=> int(-1) ["found_posts"]=> int(380) ["max_num_pages"]=> int(64) ["max_num_comment_pages"]=> int(0) ["is_single"]=> bool(false) ["is_preview"]=> bool(false) ["is_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_archive"]=> bool(false) ["is_date"]=> bool(false) ["is_year"]=> bool(false) ["is_month"]=> bool(false) ["is_day"]=> bool(false) ["is_time"]=> bool(false) ["is_author"]=> bool(false) ["is_category"]=> bool(false) ["is_tag"]=> bool(false) ["is_tax"]=> bool(false) ["is_search"]=> bool(false) ["is_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_comment_feed"]=> bool(false) ["is_trackback"]=> bool(false) ["is_home"]=> bool(true) ["is_privacy_policy"]=> bool(false) ["is_404"]=> bool(false) ["is_embed"]=> bool(false) ["is_paged"]=> bool(false) ["is_admin"]=> bool(false) ["is_attachment"]=> bool(false) ["is_singular"]=> bool(false) ["is_robots"]=> bool(false) ["is_favicon"]=> bool(false) ["is_posts_page"]=> bool(false) ["is_post_type_archive"]=> bool(false) ["query_vars_hash":"WP_Query":private]=> string(32) "d9e121787b9047052211140817acca19" ["query_vars_changed":"WP_Query":private]=> bool(true) ["thumbnails_cached"]=> bool(false) ["allow_query_attachment_by_filename":protected]=> bool(false) ["stopwords":"WP_Query":private]=> NULL ["compat_fields":"WP_Query":private]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(15) "query_vars_hash" [1]=> string(18) "query_vars_changed" } ["compat_methods":"WP_Query":private]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(16) "init_query_flags" [1]=> string(15) "parse_tax_query" } ["query_cache_key":"WP_Query":private]=> string(41) "wp_query:e3b16194b58da601d8837819b7d06f08" ["tribe_is_event"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_multi_posttype"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_event_category"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_event_venue"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_event_organizer"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_event_query"]=> bool(false) ["tribe_is_past"]=> bool(false) }Celibeth Thomas
Returning to Kindbody feels like coming home to the place where our fears were met with compassion and our hopes turned into miracles. To anyone considering IVF or beginning this journey: it is not easy, but you do not have to walk it alone. With the right care, the right team, and the right support, hope is always possible. Kindbody gave us more than fertility care they gave us trust, confidence, and our family.
Pride in Every Path to Parenthood: A Surrogacy Journey
As Pride Month comes to a close, we’re proud to highlight a family-building story that reflects the power of perseverance and support. Our colleague, Matt shares the surrogacy journey he and his husband, David, went through and the lessons they learned along the way.
Protecting What Matters Most: Strengthening Long-Term Reproductive Tissue Storage Through Partnership with NECC
As reproductive healthcare continues to advance, Kindbody remains committed to delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality fertility care while continuously strengthening the systems that support our patients.
Advocating for More Inclusive Family-Building Benefits: Email Template
The following email templates can be used to start a conversation with HR about expanding inclusive fertility and family-building benefits for employees. One is written from the perspective of an LGBTQ+ employee, and the other from an ally standpoint. Both are designed to help clearly and respectfully communicate why inclusive coverage matters and how it supports employees across a range of paths to parenthood.
How LGBTQ+ Employees Can Ask for Fertility and Family-Building Benefits at Work
Asking for fertility benefits can feel personal, but you are far from alone. Many employers have added or expanded coverage directly in response to employee requests, including from LGBTQ+ employees and allies advocating for more inclusive policies.
LGBTQ+ Equality Must Include Equal Access to Parenthood
Fertility benefits have made headlines in recent years with more and more companies offering financial support to assist their employees with family building. Fertility care is reproductive care that involves treatments like egg freezing, and in vitro fertilization (IVF). They may include family-building programs like gestational surrogacy and adoption – but they don’t always, and when they do, the dollar amount is often much less than the services designed for heterosexual couples.
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