Transgender father transitions back to conceive son: ‘Beautiful way to make a family’

He previously thought his transition had cost him his 'fertility and the path to a family' 

Chelsea Ritschel
New York
Tuesday 19 November 2019 16:15 GMT
Comments
Transgender father briefly transitioned back to conceive son
Transgender father briefly transitioned back to conceive son

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

A transgender man who briefly transitioned back so he would be able to use his eggs to have a baby has opened up about what it was like to biologically conceive his child.

In 2003, Seth Marlow, from Roanoke, Virginia, began his transition to male at the age of 25. But after entering into a serious relationship with Leah, the couple decided that they wanted a baby together.

Nine years later, Marlow, who discusses his unique journey on the podcast Pregnantish, had his transition reversed so his ovaries would create eggs.

“I longed for - but never thought - I would have my own biological child,” Marlow says on the podcast, according to the New York Post. “But, as soon as Leah and I got serious and I suggested this course of action, she said: ‘I’m in!’”

During the process, which required Marlow to stop taking testosterone and start taking oestrogen, he developed curves and began menstruating.

According to Marlow, the transition “took quite a psychological toll on me,” but he was “determined to see it through.”

The decision was also costly, as a refusal from the couple’s health insurance to cover the transition meant Marlow and Leah had to pay “around $30,000 out of pocket for the in-vitro fertilisation procedure”.

After successfully undergoing an egg retrieval at a fertility clinic in Syracuse, New York, the egg was fertilised by an anonymous donor and frozen - before it was later transferred into Leah’s uterus.

The couple welcomed their son Arlo, who felt like a “miracle”, in October 2015.

According to the couple, who are hoping to add another child to their family, they have always been open with Arlo about the unconventional way he was conceived.

Marlow said: “Recently, we were talking about hopefully adding a little brother or sister to our family and Arlo said: ‘Will we be using your eggs, Daddy?’

“He doesn’t understand the mechanics of the sexual act, but he knows all about the different ways a baby can be created.”

The Pregnantish podcast will air every Tuesday.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in