A Legal Alien: Transgender Men’s Gender Identity Experienced Through Fertility, Pregnancy, and Childbirth

When transgender men choose to undergo pregnancy, they confront entrenched societal conceptions of reproduction and gender roles. In the present study, we sought to unveil transgender men’s experienced gender identity during the preconception period of fertility treatments and then during the pregnancy itself and childbirth. In-depth interviews were conducted with six transgender men who experienced fertility treatments, pregnancy, and childbirth, and interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore their gender identity experiences. Analysis of the narratives revealed three primary themes: crossing the border, integration challenges, and hybrid existence—a legal alien. This research highlights the dynamic interplay between personal experiences and societal constructs, offering nuanced insights into the journey of transgender men to parenthood. The interplay between the personal and social aspects of this unique experience is highlighted, and practical implications are considered.