moms sterilizationIt 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