Prepregnancy Counseling for People of All Genders: Enhancing Safe and Accessible Family Building for Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Non-binary Individuals

Abstract

The purpose of this narrative review is to expand routine prepregnancy counseling and anticipatory guidance to include people of all genders. Transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary (TGNB) individuals who were assigned female at birth may wish to parent, conceive, and carry a pregnancy, but are not included in guidelines for routine prepregnancy counseling. In addition to the topics covered in routine prepregnancy counseling, there are several unique considerations for prepregnancy care for TGNB individuals including perinatal testosterone use, gender dysphoria and distress, chest/breastfeeding, and navigation of clinical environments. Research in the area of TGNB medical care continues to grow as the visibility of these communities increases. However, data are limited surrounding pregnancy and prepregnancy-related care. Therefore, we present prepregnancy medical, surgical, social, and practice of care considerations for TGNB populations in light of other known health and healthcare experiences of TGNB patients. We outline several clinical recommendations to support clinicians in providing inclusive prepregnancy care. These recommendations aim to highlight the unique needs of TGNB individuals while recognizing that each patient’s experience and goals must be individualized to them.