Study Finds Pregnancy Remains the Primary Path to Parenthood for Trans Men

An analysis of studies published between 1998 and 2023 shows that pregnancy is still the main path to parenthood for trans men, that is, the relationship between those who care for, educate, and make up the family nucleus of a child. The subject has gained visibility in recent years in both the media and academia. In the media, transmasculine pregnancy, which involves people who identify with aspects of the male gender but were assigned female at birth, is still seen as a curious phenomenon, with the need to make stories visible based on affection and care. In academia, the most studied topics focus on experiences and health care during pregnancy, with a gap in topics such as mental health and social and affective experiences. 

According to psychologist Letícia Carolina Boffi, a PhD student in Psychology at the Graduate Program in Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP) at USP and a researcher in the area of ​​Gender Studies, Health of the Transgender Population, Trans Men and Transmasculinity, one of the authors of the article Paths to the parental experience among transgender men: a systematic review and meta-synthesis , published in the journal Trends in Psychology –  which analyzed the results of scientific studies on the lived experience of parenthood by transgender men – each gestational experience lived by trans men is “unique and depends on factors such as financial conditions, access to health services, sexuality, race and psychological conditions”. 

Letícia also says that “the main challenges faced by transmasculine people during pregnancy are related to body dysphoric processes.” The body dysphoric processes mentioned by the psychologist refer to the fact that some people may have difficulty dealing with specific parts of the body, such as genitalia and breasts, in addition to the feeling of dissociation with their gender. These issues can affect the mental health of these people, according to the psychologist.

According to Letícia, physiological gestational care for trans people is no different from care for cisgender women, however, it requires more attention to the use of correct pronouns, gender and parental role, according to the wishes of the pregnant person. She also says that “it is important that the trans pregnant person feels respected by health professionals, who must validate the pregnancy, providing adequate care, performing invasive gynecological exams only when necessary, in addition to paying attention to language, using more neutral language, such as the term pregnant person or genital organ when referring to parts of the body normally associated with the feminine.”

Continuing education

Psychologist Letícia also says that health professionals need to have ongoing training to be able to care for these patients. “To improve care for transmasculine pregnant women in an inclusive and accessible way, health professionals must seek literacy in gender and sexuality, both with trans people themselves who tell their stories and in scientific research, so that they can take individual and collective actions to better support these patients.”

Another point raised by the psychologist is that health professionals must be well informed to meet other possible demands of the transmasculine population. The main demands mentioned are “contraception for those who do not want to conceive, ways of accessing assisted reproduction for those who want to conceive; also about the breastfeeding possibilities for those who want to breastfeed, whether with a human milk bank, breast feeding for men who want to, formula feeding or even induced lactation for partners who want and can breastfeed.”

Family dynamics

Letícia states that there is no difference between transmasculine parenting and cisgender parenting in terms of care and affection. According to her, “the phenomenon of transmasculine parenting is not socially expected.” Therefore, these parents “should be extremely concerned about the possible violence that they and their children may face, such as at school or in other institutions.” The psychologist also says that “parents may receive many questions about their ability to care for their children, feeling more pressured and having possibly more vulnerable psychological conditions.”

According to her, “studies indicate that there is no impact on the dynamics of families with transmasculine people, but they experience various forms of discrimination.” This violence can lead to mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, stress, and panic. The psychologist concludes by saying that “it is important to also think about the sexual and reproductive rights of trans people, which should receive more attention from the health system, with public policies, considering that the right to form a family is included in the Federal Constitution.”

Letícia is responsible for the research Transmasculine pregnancy: examining processes and experiences under the counternormative perspective , which targets trans men and transmasculine people who have had pregnancies after transition and are now parents. Those interested in participating can contact her via Instagram @psi.leticiaboffi or email [email protected].