Labor of Love Article Summary

Mr. Thomas Beatie and his wife have been making ‘big’ news
in the US
lately, rightfully so, because – he’s pregnant. In his article dated 26 March
2008 on Advocate.com, he reveals (for the first time) his first-person account
of how it feels like to be carrying a child for his wife and himself.

Thomas has been with his wife Nancy for 10 years. They’ve
always wanted children, but Nancy
is unable to carry a child because she underwent a hysterectomy due to severe
endometriosis 20 years ago. They then decided that Thomas would carry the baby.
How is this possible you ask?



Well, Thomas, who is legally male, is a transgender. He was born a girl and was
once a beauty pageant contestant. When he opted for sex reassignment, he kept his
female reproductive rights. He did, however, have chest reconstruction and has
been on testosterone therapy for about 8 years. To become pregnant, he stopped
taking his bimonthly testosterone injections to start menstruating again.

He describes trying to get pregnant as being a challenge. As many as nine
doctors turned the couple away. Finally, the couple got access to a cryogenic
sperm bank, purchased anonymous donor vials and resorted to home insemination. The
first time Thomas got pregnant, it turned out to be an ectopic pregnancy with
triplets. The life-threatening event caused the loss of all embryos and his
right fallopian tube. His second pregnancy, however, is free of complications. The
couple is happily awaiting the birth of their baby girl in July 2008.

Thomas and Nancy, who recently appeared on Oprah, realises that their situation
will spark legal, political, and social unknowns. They have already experienced
opposition from people who are upset by their situation, including doctors and
health care providers.

Prior to their appearance on Oprah, Nancy’s
family members and their neighbours didn’t know that Thomas is transgender and
pregnant. Most people who’ve learnt of Thomas Beatie think it’s an elaborate
hoax. It’s not.

All over the world, there have already been cries of support
and outrage. Meanwhile, Thomas has been dubbed ‘The World’s First Pregnant Man’.
Some detractors have pointed out that his pregnancy isn’t really all that
remarkable, because he is, biologically, a woman. Things would be very different
if he was a natural-born male. Thomas states in his article that “Wanting to have a
biological child is neither a male nor female desire, but a human desire”.