Undergoing pregnancy and childbirth as trans masculine in Sweden: experiencing and dealing with structural discrimination, gender norms and microaggressions in antenatal care, delivery and gender clinics

Abstract

Background: A sterilization requirement to change legal gender was removed from Swedish law in 2013, facilitating pregnancy in trans masculine individuals. The limited number of studies investigating pregnancy and childbirth among trans masculine individuals indicate increased gender dysphoria and negative experiences of pre- and post-natal healthcare, highlighting a need to improve care. Research focusing on Europe or contexts where sterilization to change legal gender was previously required by national law remains minimal.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate how trans masculine individuals experience healthcare encounters in connection with pregnancy, delivery and nursing, in a setting where mandatory sterilization to change legal gender was recently removed.

Methods: In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 trans masculine individuals who attended Swedish prenatal care and delivered a child after the law on legal gender recognition was amended. Thematic content analysis was used.

Results: Providers in gender clinics, antenatal care and delivery were perceived to regard a masculine gender identity and pregnancy as incompatible. The main categories encompassed expectations and experiences of pregnancy related care and participant responses to it. Participants took charge of their care to ensure that their needs were fulfilled. The quality of care was inconsistent.

Discussion: A lack of knowledge, narrow gender norms and the legacy of the former legal sterility requirement limited access to diagnostic evaluation of gender dysphoria, information on reproduction and gender-affirming treatment. Medical safety during pregnancy, childbirth and nursing was impeded, gender dysphoria increased, and participants experienced minority stress. Attempts to avoid microaggressions guided healthcare encounters and birth wishes. Navigating healthcare required considerable attention, personal resources and energy, leaving particularly vulnerable individuals at risk of a lower quality of care. The paper concludes with clinical recommendations.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; clinical care; legal gender recognition; minority stress; reproduction; transgender.