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![[The world's first pregnant man]](30lead.jpg) ![[The world's first pregnant man]](30lead.gif)
Rachel called. 'You're not going to believe this...' (In a tone I would place somewhere between surprise and dismay) '…there's a man who's pregnant.'
'It's a joke,' I told her. 'Arnold Schwarzenneger did it way back in 1994. Remember Junior?'
'This is no film,' she replied, now almost frothing at the mouth. 'There's a man in Manhattan who's really gone and got himself pregnant.'
Still smiling, I logged on and was lead by my helpful friend to the Web site of Pop! The first human male pregnancy. I promptly stopped smiling.
A guy called Lee Mingwei really was pregnant, and loving every minute of it.
I know what you're thinking, because I did, too. Who? What? Why? How?
Mingwei is an artist who explores the diurnal cycles of living, and has had solo exhibitions at The Whitney Museum of American Art and The Cleveland Museum of Art. In the past, his works have been based on human activities like cooking and letter writing. It's his latest experiment though - that of child bearing - that takes the cake.
First off, then, Mr. Lee. Why?
In an interview, he explains. "A lot of people have cast this endeavour as something terribly monstrous -- a startling example of how science and medicine have simply gone too far. From my perspective, however, I am simply bringing a child into this world. There is nothing more natural and beautiful on this earth than that."
While a streaming video clip of the interview will be online shortly, the site currently has Ultrasound Video, a live EKG, current vital stats, live web cam and a video archive.
Yes, he's aware of how shocking the concept may sound, at first, but still asks a very valid question: Why shouldn't a man bear a burden that women have always carried? Also, why shouldn't men be able to experience the same joy and excitement felt by pregnant women?
Whatever.
Next question: How did he manage it? Simple. Firstly, Lee was administered oral doses of female hormones to make him receptive to the pregnancy. Then, an embryo and placenta were implanted into his abdominal cavity, using IVF techniques to induce an ectopic pregnancy. That done, the hormones were stopped as the pregnancy took over.
Everything has been normal, so far, and the pregnant man is being monitored constantly. The actual delivery will require open surgery by several physicians who are well-accustomed to advanced and dangerous forms of ectopic pregnancies.
Does he have a name for his baby yet? Nope. He'll know when the child is born.
Is it true, then? Or is this Web site just a spoof? Your guess is as good as mine.
"Being pregnant is a wonderful feeling," says Mr. Lee. "It's something that all human beings -- both men and women -- should experience before they die."
Thanks, Lee. But I'll pass. Can't ever imagine calling my editor and asking for maternity leave.
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