If I were to be assigned to this couple in a real-world situation, I would happily take on the case and work with the couple to give them the best experience possible while in my care. Although this is not your typical type of birthing experience, it still is a real experience for this couple so I would not want them to feel like an outcast based on their difference in pregnancy compared to our typical population. I am all for unique experiences and I feel that this would give me the perfect opportunity to build my skills in inclusivity and open acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community. I will provide the best quality care to my patients regardless of their sexuality.

Some methods that we could use within the healthcare field that can help promote inclusivity is primarily through continuous education and an openness to other peoples’ life values. Education could be represented through trainings that healthcare settings provide on the proper language and techniques that can be used for people within the LGBTQ+ community. Education can also be demonstrated through education within the relationship between you and your patient. You can respectfully ask the patient how they want to be represented throughout the course of their stay and ask them if there are any fears or concerns that they may have about their upcoming experiences. This can give you further perspective on what your patient is feeling internally and can help gear your care in the way that best suits their needs and wants. I think the best way to provide comfort to patients during a vulnerable experience is to provide your open support and presence. Presence can make a powerful impact on an individual during a time of fear and vulnerability. If you show a patient that you are there for them regardless of the good or the bad, they are more likely to gain a trust for you and will help them feel more comfortable during the course of their stay.

Even though this patient was born as a female and is experiencing a traditional female act such as childbirth, they still identify as a male. This makes them feel the most comfortable and they feel content with their identified gender. If we were to disregard this patient’s wishes and still refer to them as female, we would ultimately lose the trusting relationship between the healthcare workers and the patient. This type of behavior is extremely inappropriate as professional workers, and it also goes against our nursing ethics that refer to avoiding personal beliefs when providing care for patients who may have different beliefs or values. Although this ethical principle was designed for cultural differences, it still has the same properties that should be just as valued in people who are in the LGBTQ+ community. The patient could face a negative or traumatic experience through a single healthcare incident if healthcare workers are not treating them differently. This then could lead to long-term effects of the patient avoiding the aid of healthcare in the future due to the one negative experience that they had in the past. This could lead to serious health risks if signs and symptoms of acute/chronic/urgent/or emergent situations occur and are ignored.

Overall, I think it is best that we accept people in this world regardless of any differences. Everybody deserves respect and quality services of healthcare, and we as nurses are responsible for advocating for all patients to provide them with the best possible care. This video was an eye-opening experience that I am very thankful for watching and will keep in mind in the future when providing care to people who may have unique experiences such as this.