The Ultimate List of Questions to Ask Your Doctor as a Pregnant Trans Person

Transgender people now have more options when starting a family. However, you'll still have many questions and deserve only the best education and responsive healthcare.

Ahead, nine questions you can ask your health care provider as a pregnant transgender person to get the gender-affirming prenatal care you deserve.

9 questions to ask your doctor as a pregnant trans person

1. What are my options for starting a family?

Only you can decide what is suitable for you, your body, and your future child. Trans people often face unique challenges when exploring their family planning options. Suppose you have undergone hormonal therapy or gender-affirming surgeries. In that case, your options will be different from a trans person who has not. 

If you decide to carry a child yourself, you will have to stop taking hormones throughout your pregnancy. This can understandably cause emotional and psychological stress. You might decide that another conception option is best for your family. Your doctor is there to guide you to the right decision for you, your mental health, and your body.

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2. What are my feeding options for my baby? 

Some trans parents can breastfeed their babies, and some will not. Others may find the act of breastfeeding or chestfeeding gender dysphoric and prefer to bottle-feed instead. Sometimes, a non-birthing person can take medications to stimulate breast milk production and breastfeed.

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3. How can my transition affect my pregnancy? 

Your transition can have a lifelong influence on your family planning. A pregnant person who takes hormones (estrogen or testosterone) will not be able to take them during their pregnancy. Furthermore, certain gender-affirming treatments and procedures can also alter your ability to get pregnant or give birth.

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4. Does the hospital provide gender-neutral gowns? 

Hospital gowns are unisex by design, but you can ask your doctor if the gowns are respective to different body types and how they might fit you. You deserve to feel as comfortable as possible in the hospital.

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5. Can you call me by my preferred pronouns?

Your pronouns are a part of who you are, and you deserve to be called by your preferred pronouns, no questions asked. If your medical provider does not respect your gender identity, then you should find another, more inclusive provider who does.

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6. Do you have a private waiting area?

You may not feel comfortable being pregnant and waiting in a communal waiting room. Ask your doctor if they can arrange a private waiting area or make other accommodations to ensure you're always comfortable during exams and checkups.

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7. Can my doula come to my appointments??

If you are working with a doula, ask your doctor whether they are allowed to attend your prenatal checkups. Having a doula by your side can make exams feel safer and help promote a more inclusive, collaborative healthcare environment.

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8. Can hormones affect the process?

Pregnancy is a huge hormonal event. As a trans person, your hormones and any supplemental hormones you take can influence your ability to get pregnant, carry a child to term, and give birth.

Discuss with your medical provider how hormones might affect your pregnancy, your health, and your baby's health. You can also talk about what changes to expect if you are pregnant and stop taking hormones until you give birth, and when you can start hormones after delivery.

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9. How can I make a positive birth plan? 

Positive birth plans are inclusive, gender-affirming, and reflect your unique needs and preferences. Being an expectant parent comes with many questions. Working with your doctor to develop a birth plan can make the experience much easier.

If you are struggling with birth anxiety or fear, this is entirely normal. Your positive birth plan can include strategies to prepare yourself for labor and delivery. You can also discuss birthing options and choose a delivery method that is right for you.

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Prepare for your birth with Anja Health

Family planning looks different for everyone, and that's why we specialize in providing personalized care for expecting parents. Anja Health offers accessible, affordable cord blood banking for stem cell therapies. Cord blood saves lives and is painless to collect and easy to store.
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