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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.

Felicitas A O K FalckLouise FrisénCecilia DhejneGabriela Armuand
Published in: International journal of transgender health (2021)
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.
Keyphrases
  • healthcare
  • mental health
  • quality improvement
  • palliative care
  • pregnant women
  • preterm birth
  • pregnancy outcomes