It seems once you have a new baby, everyone wants to know when you're going to have another one. As if you're really thinking about putting your body through swelling, ripping, and bleeding so soon. I'm not sure if new moms are just getting tired of the question, or simply being practical, but a new study shows that more new moms are choosing sterilization shortly after giving birth rather than a non-permanent birth control option like the IUD. Now that's a strong reaction to the birth of your child.
I've always admired women who know exactly what they want out of life. I've been on the, "Hey, let's see what's next!" train for most of mine (which explains how my first child came to be, at least) and the idea of doing something so permanent to my body is frightening. Limiting my choices has never been the path I've taken, but obviously, it makes sense to 1 in 13 women who are opting for tubal sterilizations shortly after childbirth.
The study did not break down by demographics, and I do wonder about income level, and urban vs. rural. I only say this because I do know women in my home state of Oklahoma who have opted for tubal sterilization (even my own dad asked when I was getting it done -- yikes!) but I don't know any moms in New York or LA that chose this option. Or anyone who has announced it to me, I should say. The procedure does cost more than an IUD, but is also oftentimes covered by insurance. It would be interesting to hear from women who chose surgery over other types of birth control.
While I do believe you (or your partner, hello vasectomy!), are being responsible when you take a drastic measure after you're confident you don't want to have any more children, the study brought up one concerning statistic: Women under the age of 25 were also opting for sterilization instead of a reversible IUD. That's awfully young to make a permanent decision about whether or not you want to have more children. Still, your body, your choice. I just know if I were stuck with the decisions I made at 25, I'd be living in Texas, talking about art, and hoping someone would pay me for it. In other words, hot, sweaty, and poor.
Did you choose sterilization after childbirth?
Image via treyevan/Flickr
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Comments 118
My mom got one done in the same c-section after my sister was born. She was already opened, and she said "Do it!". She was 28 at the time, and she's never once regretted it (I asked her).
Me, I couldn't do it. I don't want more than 2 kids, but I can't imagine doing something permanent like that. There are just so many road life can take you on. Barring a medical reason that I absolutely could not be allowed to get pregnant again, I wouldn't.
No way. I'm only 22, and I want 1-2 more kids in the future.
I would first like to say that I dont think that women who have not had any children should be able to have a tubal done. WHEN they change their minds later down the road they are in for a lot of interventions to be able to have children again, if its even possible.
Secondly, I guess if someone is so dead set that they are done after that child, go for it.
I personally told my hubby that when we THINK we are done having kids and we make the decision to have a tubal or vasectomy done, Give it a year from that point for one of us to change our minds. If we are still set on it after a year, go for it. If either one of us is unsure by any measure, give it another six months, and so on and so on. Until we are completely sure.
I think most women who make this decision know what they are getting into.
I had mine done when I was 28, after the birth of my second child. as I was dealing with complications that could potentially affect my health and my life, we chose not to have any more children. would we have liked one more? sure. were we willing to risk my life and potentially leave my first two children motherless to have a third? no. we are happy with our family as it is, and since my husband and I are both 35, we can't imagine starting over again. It took a while, but we are content with the decision we made.
I would think we need to look at why more people don't get it done. We don't live in a world where having 20 kids is by any means OK. People need to stop after 2 or 3 or 4. It's either get your tubes tied or use birth control (NFP included) or have less sex (not an option I would by any means consider desirable) Tubals are reliable and generally free from side effects.
Nope. I choose when I was pregnant. I knew I was done. It took me about 8 months until I found a doctor willing to do it on a 21 year old.