Seahorses: Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive Pregnancy

Knaphus, a trans dad and attorney, presents a frank and moving collection of personal histories about pregnancy and family building from trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people. The 17 contributors reflect intimately on a range of issues, including how pregnancy changed their bodies and at times exacerbated gender dysphoria, the experience of being misgendered while pregnant and giving birth, and decisions about what gender-neutral parent names they want their kids to refer to them by. Also covered are the struggle of finding a sperm donor and accessing fertility treatments, as well as the highs and lows one experiences after giving birth; in one entry, trans parent Felix Aster details an episode of postpartum psychosis: “I couldn’t imagine feeling belonging and delight in the world.” In roundtable discussions that serve as interludes between the essays, the contributors share how pregnancy affected their relationship with gender and offer advice for other noncisgender parents (readers should surround themselves with people who “validate the path you are walking,” says Aakash Kishore). Though many of the experiences detailed are difficult, there are also moments of beauty and hope (“My experience giving birth connected me more deeply to my body’s power and capacity, and I feel more deeply rooted in my trans body, heart, and mind,” writes Jacoby Ballard). Readers will find an optimistic sense of belonging among these narratives. (Nov.)