Not sure if this is the right section.
I'm wondering If its possible for my boyfriend and I to have a genetic baby of our own. I only get mixed answers and I'm wondering If anyone here knows something. I really don't like the idea of my other half essentially making a baby with some other girl and then I have to take care of it as my own, whether it be surrogate or what not.
I'm 20 years old and Iv'e been on hormones since I was about 12 or so, I'm pretty sure I cant even store reproductive material even If I wanted to. Everyone is getting together and making life plans and even some having children. Am I really already messed up from the start only to raise a child that isn't mine?
I never really lived as a male so I just feel like a failure of a woman.. I can't even imagine going into a clinic and saying HEY IM A MAN CAN WE DUDES HAVE A BABY, and then be presented with genetic information saying were both MEN etc. It's just so degrading either way at this point. I know there will come a time when he wants children, and he has asked for my approval to do surrogate.. Maybe I'm just sad or crazy, but I want a son or daughter that's living proof of our love that we shared, that we came together and had something beautiful.. I don't care about being pregnant, just that the baby will be ours. Seems a little depressing to see your child and see features and habits that belong to neither you or your spouse.. Just some chick you picked out in a magazine.
asdfgjhgfdeasdfghjhfgdfsd.. okay I'm done ranting.
Its totally possible but, fundies are always trying to block the relevant research so don't hold your breath :( Do you have any female close relatives? Sister? Mum? Cousins? Perhaps they could donate an egg, that way it will share at least a portion of your DNA
Sadly I don't have any relatives period hahaha
I'm the only child of my generation as my mom had me quite early. She eventually took her life after alot of issues with the law and drugs. All my relatives are around my mothers age about (late 30's) and all male none of which have children..
It's all so depressing.. X.X
Though I'm not surprised, life hasn't been easy at all so its not a shocker that horrible things will happen constantly.. Everything has a catch in this life I swear..
The short answer is no.
This is the terrible price we must pay to have our lives. We cannot give life to others.
As MTFs we do not have ovaries for eggs, nor do we have uteruses to grow them in. They will not magically grow inside us no matter how many hormones we take. Surgery can give us vaginas, but that is all. Hormones may give us breasts which can sometimes lactate given the proper balance of hormones, but you must work closely with your physician to balance what is needed.
But that is the way many women are. Many women cannot give birth. But they can have fulfilling lives with adopted children or surrogacy.
And really would you love your child any less because it was not from your flesh?
-Sandy
Quote from: Sandy on October 10, 2012, 05:31:48 AM
And really would you love your child any less because it was not from your flesh?
I'm sure I could love the child, there would just be a deep sadness within my heart. Almost as though I'm sorry (not sure what for) just a sadness similar to being apologetic. Maybe failure? Apologizing that I'm not his mother? The idea that I'm letting down my child, my husband and my in-laws.. Like I'm a mistress, replacement, stepmother, a 2nd wife raising a child whose mother died.
It just feels like another thing I'm going to be missing in my life. I won't hear people saying he looks just like us or he got that from his mother or anything from my side for that matter. I will tell my child I'm not his biological mother because I think he will have the right to know. It's just another feeling of isolation like I have no right or entitlement. I already feel like a fake woman, I don't want to be a fake mother as well.
Time will tell but as of now, this future and all the feelings that go with it are at best inevitable.
I don't think you should let it get to you. There's nothing that can really be done, so the best thing to do is just try to accept it and explore your options :)
Quote from: Isabelle on October 10, 2012, 05:47:40 AM
I don't think you should let it get to you. There's nothing that can really be done, so the best thing to do is just try to accept it and explore your options :)
Yeah I know, thank you :)
I suppose ill just keep my head up and see if science can come up with something haha
Quote from: yasuko14 on October 10, 2012, 05:45:13 AM
I'm sure I could love the child, there would just be a deep sadness within my heart.
If I may, the child will love you more than heaven itself. That's all that matters really.
You'll bond and within a few hours the baby will be part of your very being. Wild animals will not stop you from caring for your baby.
That's motherhood.
There are a lot of stories going around about this or that prospect. The realities are these are just stories. You're a young, beautiful young woman who feels the natural need to be a mother, but who is barren. Adoption is not only natural, once you do it, you will wonder why you waited so long.
Since you do not produce eggs, or sperm I do not know of a way for humans to reproduce otherwise. I know some places have made excellent headway in making viable eggs and sperm from stem cells. They are not approved for human trials at this time.
However, you might be able to carry a child. Look into the University of Whashington. They have a program there where a couple of men have carried children to term. I do not know if it is open to the general public yet, but it is something I will be looking into further in the future.
Never give up. If you truly want to do something, you can figure out a way to get it done. And, keep your mind open.
QuoteLook into the University of Whashington. They have a program there where a couple of men have carried children to term
Do you have any links about this? It sounds fascinating.
Quote from: Isabelle on October 10, 2012, 11:27:39 AM
Do you have any links about this? It sounds fascinating.
The man I met who carried through term was contacted by this department:
http://www.uwmedicine.org/patient-care/our-services/medical-services/reproductive-care/pages/default.aspx (http://www.uwmedicine.org/patient-care/our-services/medical-services/reproductive-care/pages/default.aspx)
He said it was part of a research study, and they are working toward being able to bring this to the general public. He does not know the timeline. Sorry this is not of too much help. I think to get the specifics, you will have to be part of the program in one way or another.
Wowzers. I can't find any reference to this on their site, or anywhere else though :( was he a cis male? Did he say how it was done? Ectopic? How did this get passed by an ethics panel without it becoming global news?
Quote from: Isabelle on October 10, 2012, 11:42:37 AM
Wowzers. I can't find any reference to this on their site, or anywhere else though :( was he a cis male? Did he say how it was done? Ectopic? How did this get passed by an ethics panel without it becoming global news?
Yes, he is a cis-male. They were able to implant the emryo (or zygote he wasn't too sure about the difference) between some of the muscles in the abdomen. He obviously had to have a C-section. I don't know how it was able to get complete without making global news. The child is now over a year old, and perfectly healthy. I did not know him during the pregnancy. I met him afterwards when a mutual friend introduced us. Since I want to carry a baby, they thought it would be good for me to see the results. I was very impressed. I am hoping that in a few years it becomes a bit easier to get into the program, and it has been approved by all the medical boards.
I am sorry I do not have any additional, factual information to provide. But, if you are really interested it would not hurt to start reacing out to the university.
totally impossble
Quote from: Pippa on October 10, 2012, 11:51:48 AM
totally impossble
Sorry you feel that way. From my experience(s), nothing is impossible.
It's not technically impossible however the danger to the fetus would be incredible. That's why I'm wondering how this passed an ethics panel. I wasn't aware this had been done in animals successfully, let alone humans.
just sounds odd. They would have to have an umbilical cord and all that, just seems like something made up without some serious documentation to back it up.
Quote from: Isabelle on October 10, 2012, 11:56:01 AM
It's not technically impossible however the danger to the fetus would be incredible. That's why I'm wondering how this passed an ethics panel. I wasn't aware this had been done in animals successfully, let alone humans.
I am always surprised regarding the things that have been done to animals. It actually scares me a bit.
Quote from: Jaime on October 10, 2012, 11:57:45 AM
just sounds odd. They would have to have an umbilical cord and all that, just seems like something made up without some serious documentation to back it up.
I can completely agree that this sounds phony. Especially since I do not have any documentation to back it up. Once again, sorry for the lack of factual evidence.
Do you know roughly when this happened?
Quote from: Isabelle on October 10, 2012, 12:25:42 PM
Do you know roughly when this happened?
The child was born about a year and a half ago (roughly). Since he carried to full term, it is safe to assume the pregnancy took place around 8 months prior.
You could always wait and see what happens...
I was never gonna have kids anyway because unfortunately after too many things I just know I would be a terrible mother but it really is sad, being mtf is just a genetic dead end right now :(
I think there is hope though. Maybe you could tell your bf that you want to wait until you are sure there's not gonna be any alternatives. Hang in there hon :)
There is some science of removing DNA from an egg and replacing it with sperm DNA, however that isn't something to get your hopes up over, as aside from that taking years to come out, it'll be totally friggin expensive when it does.
You will never be able to produce your own eggs. The reason is because ciswomen don't produce them either, they're born with all of them.
It's probably possible to achieve a pregnancy through medical science but as of now it would be very risky and damaging.
I believe science will indeed come up with something:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/10/04/162263750/scientists-create-fertile-eggs-from-mouse-stem-cells (http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/10/04/162263750/scientists-create-fertile-eggs-from-mouse-stem-cells)
At some time in the future it's likely that you can create a viable ovum from induced pluripotent stem cells.
I think it has been possible to create sperm cells for some time.
The net effect will be that in the not too distant future the DNA of any two people, of any sex or age can be combined to produce a viable fetus containing DNA from each of them. Two men, two women, a woman and a man, a postmenopausal woman and a male eunuch. Virtually any combination you can think of. Gonads not required!
Even if it takes 10-15 years, it will almost certainly be possible. There are some very wealthy gay men who wish to have children with their significant other. I think more funding for the research will be forthcoming.
Quote from: yasuko14 on October 10, 2012, 05:51:45 AM
Yeah I know, thank you :)
I suppose ill just keep my head up and see if science can come up with something haha
It already is possible, it's just unethical and intensely dangerous to both the fetus and its host. Artificial wombs have been manufactured and (animal) embryos grown exogenetically. As far as I can tell (meaning, what has been published in scientific journals that I can find) it has never been done using a genetic male as the host.
The OP did not ask about physically carrying a child, but whether her DNA and her boyfriend's DNA could somehow be combined to produce genetic offspring.
Quote from: yasuko14 on October 10, 2012, 04:54:16 AM
I'm wondering If its possible for my boyfriend and I to have a genetic baby of our own.
True :) well that's easier but would require a surrogate, not sure if any transgenic human embryos have been grown though.
Quote from: Isabelle on October 10, 2012, 11:42:37 AM
Wowzers. I can't find any reference to this on their site, or anywhere else though :( was he a cis male? Did he say how it was done? Ectopic? How did this get passed by an ethics panel without it becoming global news?
I found an article on it.
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1924 (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1924)
I would say that it is impossible. Sorry, but it is. Maybe you could try adoption? There are plenty of kids out there who could use a home. I only get to see my dad once per week and my mom is a nightmare, but at least I have parents. Kids in orphanages don't have anyone and regardless of their genes, if you love a kid enough, he/she is yours, regardless of a lack of genetic connection.
Quote from: Aryana_V on October 14, 2012, 10:05:05 PM
I found an article on it.
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1924 (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1924)
That article is merely a discussion on possible methods. I'm looking for anything that backs up the claim that it has already occurred. I'm highly skeptical but, I'm highly skeptical about everything at all times :)
It is not possible, but this issue is something that many transgender, gay, and straight couples face.
I've always thought it would be wonderful to have a reproductive-part transplant between a MTF and a FTM...they could exchange all internal & external reproductive parts surgically, and they could be made to function normally in the other person. Sigh...one can dream. :-)
Quote from: Pippa on October 10, 2012, 11:51:48 AM
totally impossble
For now, but you never know in the future.
Quote from: Aryana_V on October 14, 2012, 10:05:05 PM
I found an article on it.
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1924 (http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1924)
Very interesting read this.
Quote from: SilentArchitect on October 31, 2012, 09:50:20 AM
Very interesting read this.
An ectopic pregnancy is incredibly dangerous to both the foetus and the mother (regardless of their birth gender). In almost all circumstances a physician will recommend an abortion if the pregnancy is ectopic.
The placenta will imbed itself in the abdominal wall and can attach to major organs. Birth would be much more complex than a simple cesarean section. Excising the placenta could cause hemorrhages.
That is the purpose of a uterus. It is something that the placenta can attach to but can be sloughed off at birth. The uterus is a highly specialized organ exclusively for birth.
While it could be technically possible for a cytoplast to attach to an abdominal wall, female or male, the likelihood of taking it to term is very slim.
-Sandy