With all the talk about health care reform and women’s health issues in the media I wanted to share an experience with you. I normally don’t get very personal and well it’s about time that I should. So I am thrilled that The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. I had a conversation last night with some older friends of mine and the topic of women’s rights came up. They were recalling a time in the 1960′s when a woman could not get credit with out her husband. Even if that woman was the bread winner of the family and he wasn’t working there was no chance of a woman doing anything without her husband’s name. If you were a single woman you would have to get your father or brother to get the credit for you or be S.O.L. Need to buy a tire….call a man.
Then I recalled the time that I requested to tie my tubes after the birth of my son. The doctor told me flat out NO! I was in my early twenties unwed and only had two children. They refused to do it based on those facts. So I decided to get the mirena instead (5 year IUC). Upon the expiration of my mirena I again inquired about tying my tubes. The doctor said NO! (same doctor) but this time I was in my late twenties, had two children and needed my spouses consent. I remember my reaction as plain as day *jumping out of stirrups and sitting up* WHAT THE &%@#(@&*!!!! Why on earth do I need my husband’s consent?
Do you think that’s selfish? I don’t think so! The last time I checked it was my body, I bear the child, and in most cases I take care of the child. So when I decide that my family is complete and I am satisfied with the beautiful babies I already have why do you want to bring up my husband? Notice all of the I’s in my sentences. Needless to say she didn’t do it and I ended up with another mirena. So my expiration date rolls around and I am again on the same kick “I want my tubes tied”. This time I am in my early thirties with two kids and back to no husband. You might have been able to predict that the lack of husband was vastly approaching based on my reaction.
In doing my research I found a new method of permanent birth control. It’s called Essure. It’s a non-surgical procedure that is done in the doctors office with no anesthesia. They take inserts and place them into the fallopian tubes through the vagina and over a short period of time your body forms a natural barrier around them (like scar tissue) to block sperm from reaching the eggs. No colderizing or threads to worry about, it’s as easy as chewing gum. Sorry I had to sneak that in somewhere… Regardless it seems to be a simple process that I am seriously considering. Any thoughts?
About Laing
Have you ever thought about your hubs getting a vasectomy? It’s very easy and outpatient. When we decided to not have kids, and up didn’t want to do bc anymore nor go to the hospital to have my tubes tire, yuk, the hubs was totally cool in doing it. just a thought. New subscriber here
At the time he wasn’t interested in snipping….but of course he didn’t want anymore kids either.
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A very nice post. It is a simple fact, if we do not have the authority to control our own bodies and what comes out of our bodies we are not free and we are not equal. As long as women have to bear and deliver the children, and have most of the responsibility for raising the children, we must have control of our reproductive systems.