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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Man being asked if they're pregnant??

223 replies

CC2021 · 10/02/2021 16:24

Had the covid vaccine and as a female, was asked if there is any chance I'm pregnant. Fair enough question I thought. But a male friend was asked too and the nurse told him "you can't be too careful these days". Umm what??

AIBU to think it's ridiculous to ask a MAN if they're pregnant?

OP posts:
christmasathomeagain · 10/02/2021 17:52

My husband was too. We thought madness and yes have heard if trans men but this is taking things to far. Surely an indicator on a health record is all it needs rather than asking biological men if they are pregnant?

oakleaffy · 10/02/2021 17:52

I can imagine many men snorting at being asked this.
Especially ones with beer bellies...

''That's not a baby, that's 20 years of beer, biscuits and pies''

Redwinestillfine · 10/02/2021 17:55

It is now possible for men to be pregnant, but it is not possible for males to be pregnant. Maybe the words male/ female should be used more in official documents to identify sex. A secondary question around what gender you identify as could always be added Breastfeeding could apply to either.

JackieWeaverIsTheAuthority · 10/02/2021 17:56

NHS records should say "sex at birth" and "gender".

Just sex. The “at birth” isn’t necessary as sex doesn’t change after it is observed at birth.

TwelvePaws · 10/02/2021 18:01

NHS records should say "sex at birth" and "gender". Its important to know what someones sex is, it's also important to k know they're transitioning.

No.

There’s no reason for gender to be mentioned. Sex can affect the medical treatment required such as a smear. Gender does not.

TwelvePaws · 10/02/2021 18:01

Just sex. The “at birth” isn’t necessary as sex doesn’t change after it is observed at birth.

This.

LunaHeather · 10/02/2021 18:01

@CakeIsEternal

With the way trans stuff is going now, it seems sensible. They really cant risk putting an unborn child in danger because a transman hasnt been clear that they are trans and are pregnant.
Agree.
CC2021 · 10/02/2021 18:03

@JackieWeaverIsTheAuthority

I would only be told whatever gender you're down as currently. Gender would never be relevant to the treatment pathway

Do you mean sex or gender when you say gender here?

Ahh yes sorry. Gender would be what I'm told but sex is irrelevant to the treatment pathway. Obviously I'm aware sex is relevant in other areas of healthcare though.

Fair enough @DinosaurDiana we had a form and the questions were double checked. It's understandable when there is no form.

OP posts:
CC2021 · 10/02/2021 18:04

That is interesting - is that for men too then? We are actively TTC and I've been uncertain about what to do if/when I am called up, but I had assumed it would be ok for DP. We are having some difficulties and not getting any younger, so I'm very unwilling to stop for what would presumably be around 6 months taking into account both doses.

@Dinosaurus86 it'll be fine for your DP. It's also fine for you if you're TTC rather than pregnant.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/updated-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-pregnancy-and-women-who-are-breastfeeding/

OP posts:
TwelvePaws · 10/02/2021 18:05

With the way trans stuff is going now, it seems sensible. They really cant risk putting an unborn child in danger because a transman hasnt been clear that they are trans and are pregnant.

It needs to just be a requirement that sex is always on medical forms. And that your answer must be based on DNA, nothing else.

TwelvePaws · 10/02/2021 18:09

It is now possible for men to be pregnant, but it is not possible for males to be pregnant.

It’s really not. A man is an adult human male. They can’t be pregnant.

JustAnotherBrick · 10/02/2021 18:13

@DobbyTheHouseElk

My mum was asked if she was pregnant. She’s nearly 80. She thought it was hilarious.
So was my mother, at 82. My father wouldn’t be serious at all after this and kept saying to her “why wasn’t I told this was a possibility? Is it mine?” and then kept saying to the nurse “do you think she could be, then?”

Mum had to get quite cross with him but honestly, the nurses must despair of having to ask such ridiculous questions.

CC2021 · 10/02/2021 18:14

@JustAnotherBrick oh gosh, poor nurse! Must be tedious for them.

OP posts:
Covidcorvid · 10/02/2021 18:19

[quote CC2021]@StillCoughingandLaughing well he's young but has a definite male name and definitely not androgynous looking.[/quote]
But some biological women will “pass” as men and give themselves male names.

Guess this is the price men have to pay now, they should be asked at every appt if there’s any chance they’re pregnant. Not hard to say no.

Mockolate · 10/02/2021 18:20

Could be because she thought he was a trans man?!
Why are there now three threads on basically the same thing lol

Mockolate · 10/02/2021 18:22

@TwelvePaws

It is now possible for men to be pregnant, but it is not possible for males to be pregnant.

It’s really not. A man is an adult human male. They can’t be pregnant.

Yes, but trans men can (ie, biologically female) which is what the poster was saying.
Clymene · 10/02/2021 18:24

@TwelvePaws

With the way trans stuff is going now, it seems sensible. They really cant risk putting an unborn child in danger because a transman hasnt been clear that they are trans and are pregnant.

It needs to just be a requirement that sex is always on medical forms. And that your answer must be based on DNA, nothing else.

Yes. Forms need to ask people what their sex is, not their gender as that is of no relevance to medical decisions.

If people choose to lie and compromise their health, then that's their look out frankly.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/02/2021 18:26

There is no difference between men and males. See the Equality Act 2010. A "man" is "a male of any age". An extremely small number of female people (3k or so) have a gender recognition certificate saying they are male. They are not and never will be, it is a legal fiction.

Man is just the name for an adult male human, as woman is the name for an adult female human.

CorianderBee · 10/02/2021 18:27

I guess they'd rather check to avoid harming an unborn baby than not check to avoid annoying some blokes.

Idk I think you're reaching on this one. It's hardly offensive to just check.

Mockolate · 10/02/2021 18:28

Yes, but that doesn't stop trans men getting pregnant.
Which is presumably why they asked.
Even if they think "what a bloody stupid question" how hard is it to say "erm, what? No, I'm not."

TalbotAMan · 10/02/2021 18:28

DW keeps looking at my ever-expanding lockdown belly and asking if it's hers . . .

TwelvePaws · 10/02/2021 18:29

lYes, but trans men can (ie, biologically female) which is what the poster was saying.

More than aware of what the poster was saying. I jjust don’t agree. Transmen are not biological men, they are female. They have female DNA. Men can’t be pregnant. It’s impossible.

Mockolate · 10/02/2021 18:29

I guess they'd rather check to avoid harming an unborn baby than not check to avoid annoying some blokes. Idk I think you're reaching on this one. It's hardly offensive to just check

Cross posted, yes, exactly!

Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/02/2021 18:31

Why don't they just ask men if they are a "trans man"? Less awkward. Most people think the idea that men can get pregnant is utterly ridiculous and they would be totally confused by the question.

Ereshkigalangcleg · 10/02/2021 18:33

Men can't get pregnant. Dancing round the trans issue without even spelling out what they mean is ludicrous.

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