ORAL HISTORY

I interviewed a 29 year old, Assyrian woman, who was born without a uterus.

When did you find out that you were born without a uterus?
I was about 19 when i really understood what it meant to be born without a uterus.

How did this affect your parents?
They too, were grieving. They had to adjust to the diagnosis. My parents weren't born in America so they did not know or understand the different processes that I can go through to become pregnant and give them a grandchild. They were old fashioned. My doctor suggested that i go to psychological counseling to help me with the adjustment. I remember going a couple of times, but at that age i didn't find it necessary and i was also embarrassed about it.

Did this affect your romantic relationships?
When i was younger, i didn't date much because of my low self esteem. But when i was 23 i got married to my husband and hes been very supportive. He's the one that really helped me through this.

Do you have children at the moment?
No, not right now. My husband and i discussed adoption, but at the moment, i don't think I'm ready. We also talked about in vitro fertilization. I was born without a uterus but i do have have eggs so we can still have a child but through a surrogate mother.

Why don't you think your ready?
I think it would be a very big emotionla breakdown if something went wrong. I guess I'm scared about what might happen. I don't think I'm ready emotionlally.