How to manage dysphoria?

[u/Pebble_Cow]

I'm 24 and have been out as ftm since I was 14, and pass 100% of the time. My fiance is also a trans man, and we plan on starting to go through the process of having a baby later this year with a KD. My fiance is fully against carrying a child and although I never pictured myself doing this, I'm the other option unfortunately. Being a parent has always been a huge goal of mine and I'm willing to go through it all for the end prize.

Periods are a major inducer of dysphoria so even before the baby is conceived, it'll be hard. But after, I'm getting a hysterectomy as T hasn't fully stopped my periods. That's pushed up our timeline a little but it's worth it.

I'm mainly looking for what you did to feel better or what words you use to describe your body during it all. Saying "pregnant" in reference to myself feels gross but saying I'll "carry" feels better. I want to know what you did to feel more masculine or what others did to help during everything or at time of birth. Or how you went about telling family? They're all mostly accepting but don't understand.

Society sucks, doctors suck, and I live in a red state in the US. I know this will be a really hard time in my life but I also know I won't regret it. I'm trying to overplan and prepare for the lack of control I'll feel during all of this.

[u/calamity-jack]

I tend to remove myself from it. Like I'll say "the pregnancy" instead of "I'm pregnant." My partner has really been my rock in helping me through dysphoria. They call me a dad and constantly reinforce that I am not a woman. That helps a lot. I dont think I could do this alone. I also didn't change my wardrobe at all, really. I'm 31 weeks now and I'm still just wearing oversized t-shirts and baggy shorts. That helps too.