'Woman' who lived as a man gives birth

Published on Friday 4 July 2008 01:49

AN American who was born a woman but has lived as a man since having surgery has given birth to a baby girl, it was reported last night.

Thomas Beatie, 34, who kept female reproductive organs when he legally became a man ten years ago after gender reassignment surgery and hormone treatment, confirmed the birth to a US magazine.

The baby, conceived by artificial insemination using donor sperm and Mr Beatie's own eggs, was born in Oregon on 29 June and Mr Beatie and the baby are reportedly "healthy and doing well".

"The only thing different about me is that I can't breast-feed my baby. But a lot of mothers don't," Mr Beatie was quoted as saying.

He said the baby was not delivered by Caesarean section, but no other details about the birth were given.

Beatie told The Oprah Winfrey Show in April he began taking testosterone treatment and had surgery to remove mammary glands and flatten his chest ten years ago.

Upon deciding to have a child about two years ago, he halted his bimonthly hormone injections and resumed menstruating.

Mr Beatie's wife, Nancy, 46, whom he married five years ago, was unable to conceive.

The couple are legally married and Mr Beatie is recognised in law as a man.