Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Carolyn on 04/04/2008 04:12:32

Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: Carolyn on 04/04/2008 04:12:32
This was on Oprah today, but I was otherwise occupied so only saw bits and pieces.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=442210


I'm not trying to be harsh or judgmental, I'm just trying to understand. 

This is a transgender man who in his home state of Oregan is legally considered a man but has kept his reproductive organs.  Legally he's a man, but if he still has reproductive organs is he still physically a woman? 

I've heard several people use the term "miraculous".  Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see this as man having a baby.  I see it as a woman who has not completed the process of a sex change having a baby.

Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: JnA on 04/04/2008 06:15:15
yes, I agree.. it's not really a man IMO.. and therefore not a miracle... the wrapping doen't matter
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: Seany on 04/04/2008 08:53:04
How can you be a man if you have a woman's reproductive organs??
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: Seany on 04/04/2008 08:55:08
Wow though.. That's some good sex change operation though!! Having looked at him, he's even got a moustache!!
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: neilep on 04/04/2008 12:24:39
I heard this woman being interviewed on the radio this morning.....Wonderful publicity for this woman who decided to retain her reproductive organs in case she wanted to have a baby !!

However, she will not be able to breast feed as she had those removed.
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: rosalind dna on 04/04/2008 12:47:13
Carolyn I think it is a cruel idea for this couple of a bad taste
joke using CGI. Like they do for some films.
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: JnA on 04/04/2008 13:07:50
There have been many instances of men lactating.

Seany - the woman took testosterone to help with the transformation.. so a 'mo' was probably the easiest bit.
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: Seany on 04/04/2008 14:40:26
I heard this woman being interviewed on the radio this morning.....Wonderful publicity for this woman who decided to retain her reproductive organs in case she wanted to have a baby !!

However, she will not be able to breast feed as she had those removed.

So does his/her wife breast feed?
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 04/04/2008 14:49:54
Does she...umm...'it' even have male reproductive organs? According to that article, it just had testosterone administered and breasts removed. That doesn't make them a man! And how confusing for the poor kid: "My father has 2 X chromosomes, a uterus and ovaries, lots of hairy bits and gave birth to me. And mummy is genetically unrelated to me. Oh yeah, and my genetic father's sperm fertilised my gestational father's egg."

Unless the wife also produces a child, the wife won't be producing any milk and consequently won't be able to breast feed.
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: JnA on 04/04/2008 14:57:11


Unless the wife also produces a child, the wife won't be producing any milk and consequently won't be able to breast feed.

Not entirely true.. you can lactate with medication... but breast feeding would be the least of their issues I should imagine...


no judgement!
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 04/04/2008 15:18:24
Would milk produced in a medication-induced lactation have the same immunological effect (antibody content) as natural milk in protecting the baby from various pathogens?

Difficult not to judge. I'll put it in the pile with the women who want to conceive by IVF at 60 years of age: 'Because I Can'.
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: JnA on 04/04/2008 15:51:14
Would milk produced in a medication-induced lactation have the same immunological effect (antibody content) as natural milk in protecting the baby from various pathogens?


I should imagine so.. the drugs just kick start lactation... they have no effect on the quality of the milk.
They often give these meds to women who have premmie or C-section births...


Difficult not to judge. I'll put it in the pile with the women who want to conceive by IVF at 60 years of age: 'Because I Can'.

I know.. I was trying to call myself up and not make my responses personal.. (I think I failed)
Title: Is Pregnant Man Really A Man?
Post by: smartbutdumb on 26/04/2008 21:07:56
This "man" was born a female so its nothing special that "he's" pregnant. He retained the female productive organs however began testosterone therapy to allow growth of body hair and the deepening of his voice. Using artifical insemination he was fertilised and the pregnancy progressed.

Nothing special in a female having a baby is there, despite the packaging???