Yassamin-Sophia Boussaoud, known as Mino, is 33 years old, lives in Munich and is an educational worker and author. Mino is a German-Tunisian, queer, fat, non-binary person and is currently pregnant for the third time. In this interview, Mino tells the weeks about discriminatory experiences due to racism and fatphobia and explains why coming out as non-binary often has no place at all in obstetrics.
Hi Mino! Thank you for taking the time today to share your experience as a pregnant, queer, racialized, and fatphobic person. Before we get into the topics, it would be great if you could briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello! Thank you for allowing me to talk about this in this context. My name is Yassamin-Sophia Boussaoud, I am called Mino. I am from Munich, 33 years old, married, have two teenage children and am currently in my third trimester of pregnancy. I am an educational worker and an author.
Especially in the context of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period, assumptions about it and the associated discrimination based on sexism, racism, ableism and fatphobia occur on such an incredible scale that we don't really know where to begin. So let's start very broadly: We would be very interested to know how people in the healthcare system (midwives, gynecologists, hospital staff, etc.) treat you as a person who has been discriminated against on multiple occasions?
This is a very big issue for me during pregnancy. Because it is simply a time when you are completely dependent on these people. I can't really say "Okay, the doctor isn't so good right now - I'll recover at home." This is about my life and that of my baby. And I am aware that gynecology and obstetrics are not sufficiently safe for all women and people with a uterus. For racialized, black, brown, queer, disabled and fat people, there are additional aspects of uncertainty. Generally, medical staff approach me with great skepticism about my body and have very little confidence in me. This starts with the surprise that my pregnancy occurred without fertility treatment, continues with the insinuation that I cannot be healthy, and ends with the assumption that I certainly want a voluntary caesarean section. The fact that I, as a fat, racialized person, strive for a self-determined pregnancy and birth and can take good care of myself surprises them. I haven't come out as non-binary to anyone in this area at the moment. Racism and fatphobia take up so much space that I don't dare to talk about it. I'm happy when medical staff treat me with some respect.
I had two short hospital stays during this pregnancy. In both cases I was put in a room with people who spoke Turkish, Kurdish, Albanian and Farsi and asked to translate. I am German-Tunisian and of course don't speak any of the other languages. And it wasn't supposed to be my job. There were also several situations in which I was simply given medication without saying a word, or someone tried to give me an injection without any explanation. When I asked, I was told "Because of her weight". As soon as I make it clear that I understand what is necessary and what is just due to fatphobia and the fact that I am definitely linguistically privileged, doctors apologize to me. I always ask myself what would happen if I couldn't do it. It's tragic because the clinic where I will give birth sees itself as one of the "safest places in the world for mother and child". I believe that they are very well equipped in terms of equipment. They definitely don't give me a good, safe feeling as a racialized, fat pregnant person. Unfortunately, I don't have the option of giving birth in a birthing center because of my BMI. And it's also quite possible that I won't be allowed to have a water birth, which I really want. Many doctors and midwives see the higher BMI as an absolute exclusion criterion. Regardless of whether the pregnant person is healthy and the pregnancy was without complications.
And specifically for your protection: Have you found ways and support to prepare for these encounters or to deal with them? Do you have the opportunity to be cared for and treated by professionals who are sensitive to multiple discrimination?
I have to say that I am very lucky to have found a gynecologist who deals sensitively with the issue of fatphobia. That is not a given. I lost a lot of weight in a short time during this pregnancy due to severe hyperemesis [severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, note the weeks] and there are doctors who praise me for it. My gynecologist is different - she immediately asked me whether I was intentionally trying to lose weight and explained to me that it is not recommended during pregnancy and that I am allowed to gain weight. And she really is the exception. I was also lucky to find a Black midwife. That was very important to me. This is a person who comes to my home in such a vulnerable setting as the postpartum period. That was my priority, that we don't have to worry about racism there too. Otherwise, I exchange a lot of ideas on Instagram with racialized pregnant people, mothers and non-binary parents affected by fatphobia. That feels really good and helps me understand that I am not the problem, but that there is a system behind it.
You are currently pregnant, but you also have teenage children - where do you see the most significant differences compared to your previous pregnancies, what has perhaps become more difficult - and are there things that you think have improved in recent years?
I was 17 and 21 when I had my first two children. At that time, doctors were a lot more relaxed with me in some areas. Looking back, I feel like it was a bit like "Oh, such a young body can handle it without any problems." I was hardly advised to have any diagnostics, no diabetes test and I only had a few ultrasound scans. Now, at 33, the risk of chromosomal abnormalities was repeatedly mentioned, and I was advised to have detailed diagnostics and tests. Newer studies on preeclampsia prophylaxis were explained to me, I was given magnesium and aspirin. Ultrasound scans are carried out more frequently.
I don't know that from my previous pregnancies. It certainly has its advantages to be examined so closely and thoroughly. But I wonder whether this is also done with thinner people my age. The paradox is that although I am examined more closely, my complaints are still not taken seriously. The severe hyperemesis is not so bad for a fat, brown person. The connection between fatphobia and racism and the associated, dehumanizing assumptions of special strength and perseverance play a major role here.
What has improved is that, because of my age and my experiences, I am now a little better at saying what I want and don't want, I am better at asking questions and setting boundaries. This gives me a little more security overall. And yet I am still sometimes unsure and don't dare to ask again.
What do you think needs to happen in the context of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period in order to effectively combat discrimination?
Gynecology and obstetrics, as well as postnatal care, are, like every area of our lives, strongly influenced by misogyny, racism, fatphobia and hostility towards people with disabilities. These areas are not safe enough for white cis women either. There is a reason why Roses Revolution Day on November 25th is explicitly dedicated to violence in obstetrics. Of course, this medical field is even less safe for multiply marginalized people. In the USA, the mortality rate for black mothers is three times higher than for white mothers.
Research in gynecology and obstetrics is largely based on the violence against black, brown and indigenous people, especially women, during the colonial period. White obstetric medicine was not nearly as advanced. Today we know, for example, that in Uganda, the Congo and Tanzania, caesarean sections have been successfully performed since at least the 18th century. Nevertheless, this medical practice is mainly seen as a European achievement. In order to make gynecology and obstetrics safer for racialized people, and ultimately safer for everyone, an approach would be necessary that radically questions and breaks down the Western and Eurocentric view. Doctors must understand that many of the findings they can use today can be traced back to colonial crimes. It is urgently necessary that medical staff are regularly trained in the areas of racism, fatphobia and ableism. The dehumanizing image of the stronger, black and brown, fat woman must be broken down. Doctors and medical staff must understand that this could save us many complications and ultimately save lives.
What advice would you give to other individuals or couples experiencing multiple discrimination who are thinking about starting a family or managing a pregnancy?
Definitely the ability to stand up for yourself. If a doctor makes you feel uncomfortable at an appointment, you can leave. At the very beginning of my pregnancy, I went to a different gynecologist and felt so uncomfortable and insecure that I dared to leave - that was the best decision. Of course, that's not easy and not easily possible in the clinic. If it's possible, then you can take care of yourself at that point. Especially for queer, trans* and non-binary trans* people: You can want to have children, you can want to be a parent. Your queerness doesn't take that away from you. You are valid, with everything you want. And it's perfectly fine if that's a little closer to the social ideal. You can be whoever is good for you. For racialized people: White people will most likely not be so happy about your pregnancy, you will be stared at with hostility and racism will take up even more space. It happens more often that strangers on public transport, for example, say to me as they pass me, "Is that really necessary? There are enough of you already!" and bump into me. As a multiply marginalized person, pregnancy, motherhood, parenthood are tough. Tougher than they already are. That's why it's important not to forget, amidst all the chaos, loneliness, and painful experiences, that there is the most beautiful little revolution going on inside your belly.
Mino, thank you very much for your time and openness. All the best to you!
