Biological, Psychological, Social, and Legal Aspects of Trans Parenthood Based on a Real Case—A Literature Review

• Main Authors: Maria-Elisa de Castro-Peraza, Jesús Manuel García-Acosta, Naira Delgado-Rodriguez, Maria Inmaculada Sosa-Alvarez, Rosa Llabrés-Solé, Carla Cardona-Llabrés, Nieves Doria Lorenzo-Rocha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: transgender person; pregnancy; parenting; assisted reproduction; health legislation; holistic health
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/6/925

Trans men are people who, based on their genitals, were assigned the status of female at birth. However, their identity and their way of living gender do not correspond to the socially established norms. In this paper, we discuss the different perspectives in relation to transgender people and their desire for parenthood. This review, and the basis of this paper, is inspired by the case of a trans man who desired gestation with his own genetic material. He began the cycle of assisted reproduction when he was a legally recognized woman, but that attempt ended with a miscarriage. From that assisted reproduction cycle, four embryos remained frozen. After the failed experience of gestation, the person completed his transition. Now legally a man, he attempted to gestate using his reproductive organs. This literature review aimed to identify relevant studies describing the relationship between transgender person and biological parenthood. This study comprehensively addresses important aspects one should know when considering a transgender pregnancy. These factors include biological, psychological, social, and legal issues. After reviewing the state-of-the-art information on trans parenthood, the main conclusion is that ‘the desire to have a child is not a male or female desire but a human desire’.