2009
Another Cliche Bites the Dust
| Hot: |  |  | | | |
The other day, I was tying away at my job as a medical transcriptionist, and one of the doctors dictated something like, “This is a 24 year-old pregnant individual…” and my mind went off on a rant right then…or it started to and got smacked right down.
Let me explain.
Having been through a very lonely and depressed pregnancy about 26 years ago, I have always been a bit irked by the phrase “we’re pregnant”. WE don’t get pregnant, regardless of the make-up of a couple. The person who is pregnant is the one who goes through all the bodily transformations, emotional upheavals, and other goodies that come with growing a baby in utero. The other person, whether male or female, gets to watch, hopefully help, support and encourage the pregnant one, but that person is NOT pregnant. Even in a lesbian couple, even if the current non-pregnant partner has been pregnant before. Each pregnancy is its own history, and NO ONE besides the pregnant one really knows what’s going on; and often not even they do. That’s my belief, based on my one and only, not-so-pleasant pregnancy experience.
So, when this doctor stated pregnant “individual”, in my head I got all uppity and was saying, “No, INDIVIDUALS don’t get pregnant, WOMEN get pregnant….”
Then I ground to a complete halt.
Thought of Thomas Beattie, the “pregnant man”.
I had an “Oh, wow!” moment. And realized I had to let go of that “only women get pregnant” idea. Because, regardless of his physical “equipment”, Thomas Beattie IS a man. In his head; in his heart; in his brain. And he did get pregnant. Twice.
I really loved all those thoughts that started swirling around in my head because one of my favorite things to do is to play devil’s advocate. I love tripping people up over their dearly-held notions, even if, maybe especially if, it’s my own self.
So, okay, now I will no longer be able to say to myself “only women get pregnant” and feel superior over this. But, I do hold out that in a monogamous, coupled relationship, “WE” still do not get pregnant!
Until someone opens my mind a bit further. Bring it on!
GG
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=4db806f5-09df-405c-8b91-de212cf1aaf4)
Totally with you on the “We don’t get pregnant bit”! It’s been a source of frustration and rants over the years — especially when I was the one that was pregnant!
That said, you did say that your good doctor dictated “This is a 24 year-old pregnant individual…” I realize that’s likely the medical jargon talking, but it’s still nice that it’s an singular, ambiguous term — no coupling, no gender bias.
While the world of pregnant people likely don’t want to solely be referred to as “individuals”, it’s nice to know that somewhere, even pregnant men aren’t included in the “we’re pregnant” statement.