Transgender man who used his own egg to conceive his son says it's a 'beautiful way to make a family'
Four-year-old Arlo Marlow is often told how much he looks like his father, Seth. Many say he resembles Seth's wife, Leah, too, assuming she is his biological mother.
However, Arlo's origins are a bit more complicated than that. He was conceived using an egg from Seth, who is openly transgender. The egg was later fertilized with a donor sperm before being carried and birthed by Leah.
Speaking to the New York Post, 41-year-old Seth revealed how "Arlo has two genetic fathers". "He's a pretty unique kid," he said.
Seth was 25 when he first transitioned in 2003. He had the transition medically reversed in 2012 so his ovaries could generate enough eggs to create Arlo, and then later switched back to being male.
The father explained in the new podcast 'Pregnantish' how the egg was fertilized with the sperm of an anonymous donor before the embryo was frozen for three years. It was later transferred to Leah's uterus, who miraculously birthed a healthy 6-pound, 3-ounce Arlo in October 2015.
"I thought my transition had cost me my fertility and the path to a family," Seth told 'Pregnantish', adding that he was convinced he'd stay a "confirmed bachelor" before he started dating Leah.
"I longed for — but never thought — I would have my own biological child," he continued. "But, as soon as Leah and I got serious and I suggested this course of action, she said 'I'm in!'."
Seth's ovaries remained intact despite having transitioned into a man and undergoing a double mastectomy. Doctors told him he merely needed to stop taking testosterone and start a course of estrogen if he wanted to ovulate again.
"It took quite a psychological toll on me, but I was determined to see it through," he said. The Marlows did not get help from medical insurance companies and ended up paying around $30,000 out of their own pockets for the in vitro fertilization procedure.
Seth's body redeveloped curves due to the estrogen, and he got a period just three months into the course. During the podcast, Seth reportedly revealed how he had to sneak tampons into men's restrooms when he unexpectedly began to menstruate.
"I'm not a big dude, but I'm a dude with a big beard and a bunch of tattoos," he quipped. "My trans history is only disclosed if I choose to disclose it."
Seth and Leah reportedly relayed to Arlo his unconventional beginnings even before he could talk.
"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?'," Seth recalled. "He doesn't understand the mechanics of the sexual act, but he knows about all the different ways a baby can be created."
Now, Seth and Leah are looking forward to making a family of four. According to the report, there are 13 leftover embryos currently frozen in a lab in Syracuse, NY. The couple plans to have another baby within the year.
"It's a beautiful way to make a family," Seth remarked.