20 Something & Sterilized
American Public Media recently did a radio interview with 20-something writer Brittany Shoot about her decision to get her tubes tied. Unlike many women in their 20s she found a doctor who was willing to perform this procedure on her. There are countless tales out there of women who know without a doubt they do not ever want to have children, and seek out this procedure. Some doctors feel the need to ask countless questions as an attempt to talk the woman out of it. Others will not do the procedure at all. In my 20s, I sought out the same thing and my gyn at the time “instructed” me to go home and write him reasons why I wanted to do this, and bring it back to him, then he would decide if he would do it. Let’s just say I never went back to him.
Shoot gets lucky and finds a willing doctor to perform the procedure. However, she also faced what so many childfree face in this situation—having to explain and justify before, during and after. I wonder how mothers would feel if countless questions came at them before: So why is it you want kids? Are you sure? How can you be sure you won’t regret it? While she is trying to get pregnant: Are you sure you are sure? After: So why is it you wanted kids? How do you feel now that you are a mother? Do you regret it? Seems ridiculous, but it gives you a flavor for how it feels when it is about not having kids. These women are adults and should not have to explain or justify what they feel is best for them.
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