Seahorses: Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive Pregnancy

by Simon Knaphus (Editor)

Seahorses is a groundbreaking anthology that shares the experiences of trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people who have navigated pregnancy.

What can trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people expect from pregnancy? What roles do supportive friends, family members, and care providers play? What are some of the fabulous family structures folks are creating?

This collection brings together a wide spectrum of voices to share unique stories about navigating family building, pregnancy, fertility treatments, conception, loss, healthcare, abortion, childbirth, the early days of parenting, and the intersections of legal, political, and cultural contexts. Alongside individual stories, this book features collaborative round-table discussions where contributors address shared questions about personal journeys, community, advice and information, and pregnancy care.

Seahorses is both a vital resource for trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive communities and an invitation for readers of all genders to get a glimpse of trans joy and resilience that will stick with you and inspire you to love a little deeper. This book is an essential addition to conversations about gender, pregnancy, and family.

Contributors include Amari Ayomide, Amber Hickey, Felix Aster, g k somers, Halo Dawn, Jacoby Ballard, J. Workman, Jamie Cayley, Jess F Gutfreund, Kara Johnson Martone, Kathy Slaughter, LÍfthrasir Green, Aakash Kishore, Simon Knaphus, Simone Kolysh, Tom, and Zillah Rose.

Genres: Transgender

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah]

3.5 stars. Although written by and for trans gestational parents, many readers can connect with what's in here-- how pregnancy, and pregnancy loss, change one's feelings about one's body, and how it, and parenting, change and sometimes undermine one's identity, both privately and publicly. The types of patronization and microaggressions experienced in doctors' offices, the exact content of the unthinking and tasteless remarks from strangers and acquaintances differ, but all non-cis-het-male people experience these to some degree, and reading about the experiences of these authors underscores the greater degree to which we all are similar, over emphasizes differences.

The essays are technically correct and well edited. The focus of each varies a bit, but within a relatively narrow range, generally always on the same track if not exactly in the same car.

Recommended for public library collections. Appropriate for all expectant and new parents.

Program topics: not currently recommended for programming

Discussion prompts: not currently recommended for book discussion groups

[hollis]

A beautiful anthology that features personal stories from a variety of trans/gender non-conforming people.

I think “Seahorses,” overall, does a great job of illustrating trans/gnc pregnancies. It highlights the diversity in identity and experience of pregnant trans people by including authors of various gender identities, ethnicities, class levels, etc. However, I do think there is much more room to be made for BIPOC trans pregnancy stories, as a majority of the stories here (and most I’ve seen) skew towards white people in relatively privileged positions.

Pregnancy for those who desire it is wild and beautiful (in my opinion) and I applaud every author here for sharing their story so vulnerably!

[Julie P]

This book is so needed. It's an insightful, first hand look at the joys and challenges of transmasc and non-binary pregnancy with a great balance of pregnancy and birth memoirs and helpful Q&A discussion chapters. I feel like the authors gave us all such a gift- both needed info for people who have limited info about pregnancy and birth for their gender and helpful perspective for cis people to understand the challenges. Includes stories of pregnancy loss/miscarriage/stillbirth and abortion.

[Galina Tucker]

fantastic set of essays