Female-to-male patient loses baby during hysterectomy at Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne because he didn’t know he was pregnant

A transgender patient transitioning from female to male has tragically lost his unborn baby after undergoing a hysterectomy while unknowingly pregnant.

Jesse Pohlner, 38, was four months pregnant when he underwent a full hysterectomy at Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital during the 2021 lockdown.

He wanted his uterus and ovaries removed as part of his transition process and was confirmed for surgery 10 days before surgery.

What Mr. Pohlner didn’t know, however, was that he was in the second trimester of pregnancy and had mistaken his morning sickness for reflux.

“No pregnancy test was done,” he told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.

“I would call it hospital negligence, their policy was to blame. The policy failed my doctors, they couldn’t do their best work.’

Doctors told Mr. Pohlner he had two options for having his ovaries removed.

He could have the surgery in 10 days and have a second surgery to remove his ovaries, or start taking testosterone and postpone the surgery.

Mr. Pohlner claims he was forced to make a quick decision over the phone.

In an email from the hospital, Mr. Pohlner that depending on his last menstrual period or if he was sexually active, he may need a pregnancy test.

‘I was in Horsham, Victoria, and it was difficult going to the doctors, but having had children before, I knew you could get a blood test or a urine test. good, so I can go to the doctor,’ he said.

However, Mr. Pohlner was assured that the test would be performed before surgery.

The night before surgery, a nurse used a chart to ask him a series of yes and no questions that ultimately determined that a pregnancy test was not necessary.

“We had no signs that I was pregnant. I thought I had reflux and it turned out to be morning sickness,” he recalls.

What was intended to be a three-hour operation followed by a one-night hospital stay turned into a nine-hour operation and a week in intensive care.

Mr. Pohlner was told he had lost the baby the morning after surgery.

“It was the last thing we could think about,” said the 38-year-old.

“It was pretty shocking news.”

Mr Pohlner was told that the hysterectomy would have been necessary regardless of the pregnancy because the placenta was growing into his cesarean section scar.

He is now advocating for mandatory statewide hCG blood testing prior to surgery.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a chemical produced by tissues typically found in early embryos that eventually form the placenta.

Measuring hCG levels can help identify a healthy pregnancy and is usually also tested after an aborted pregnancy.

Mr Pohlner has written letters to Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews, Equality Minister Harriet Shing, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and Housing Minister Danny Pearson, but has not yet received any replies.

“In my case, if they canceled the surgery, I wouldn’t be here,” he said.

“Only from what happened inside, none of us knew.

A female-to-male transgender patient tragically lost his unborn baby after undergoing a hysterectomy while unknowingly pregnant (stock image)

“It was hard for the kids to figure out, I handled it the best I could, but it’s frustrating because it could happen to someone else.

“And I don’t want it to happen to anyone else. I don’t want a patient or a doctor to have to go through that.’

The Royal Women’s Hospital has confirmed that their policy on pre-operative blood tests has changed in 2022.

“The previous procedure involved asking patients about recent menstrual or sexual activity,” a statement to 3AW said.

“The new procedure includes a blood test to rule out pregnancy.”

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Royal Women’s Hospital for comment.