Can anyone talk about their experience of being sterilised please?

[DontCallMeBaby123]

I'm 33, one DC, and have been absolutely certain I don't want any more children since DD8 was born. The last time I spoke to the GP I was told I couldn't be sterilised on the NHS because I was too young and I might meet the man of my dreams and need to give him a whole tribe a children 😑. It seemed lost on the Dr that the man of my dreams wouldn't want children but there we are.

I'm very aware that I'm getting closer to being classed as a geriatric mother and have a medical condition which means I'd have to immediately change medication upon falling pregnant and be a high risk pregnancy.

If I were to fall pregnant I'd have a termination, which obviously I'd like to avoid in the first place.

I've been looking at paying privately to have my tubes tied and I'd appreciate it if anyone could share their experience. The websites all make it sound very straightforward with minimal side effects after recovery but it would be helpful to hear from other women.

Thanks in advance.

I had my tubes tied aged 37 during a c-section.
Very very easy recovery.

I had the mother of all arguments with every medical professional involved, but finally prevailed and was sterilised on the NHS aged 32. I had two children aged 10 and 8 at the time, and was a single parent.

I was meant to be having laparoscopic, local anaesthetic day surgery, but because of the amount of scar tissue I had from 2 emergency caesareans, I ended up having a general anaesthetic, not laparoscopic but a small incision, and an overnight stay.

I had no complications post-surgery, was back to everyday activities within two days, and have never, in the 40 years since, regretted it.

BPAS did mine when I was having a termination about 20 years ago. I had to get my GP to sign as a second signatory and they made their disapproval very clear. The procedure was very straightforward with no real recovery time needed and no pain. In hindsight mentally I should have not made the decision whilst pregnant but I felt didn't ever want to be in the same predicament again. I don't regret it and I did go on to meet another partner who himself had had the snip. Helpfully the team carrying out the steralisation identified endometriosis on my ovaries and were able to write a letter to my GP for my notes to be updated.

Thanks for the responses so far. I do find it infuriating that in this day and age we seemingly still don't have bodily autonomy.

I cannot see that I'm going to regret it.

I might give the NHS one more go but I strongly suspect they'll say no. I've tried pretty much all types of contraception with horrendous side effects so the only other option is abstinence until after menopause which isn't realistic.

I had it done when I was maybe 40? Two children one of who is disabled. GP did not argue with me. Day surgery. Uncomfortable after with the air or gas they pump in to your abdomen, took me maybe 5-7 days for full recovery.

Mine was done in a different country, not the UK. General anesthetic and 1 day in hospital. I had my tubes tied and an ablation done on my uterus.

Never regretted it for a second. I had had 2 kids by then and was 35. We pay for our medical procedures in this country - the first gynecologist said no, but the second one was happy to do it.

Done as part of my c section last week, no noticeable difference in recovery to previous c section! Consultant suggested it (as I am categorically done having kids) and happily signed the consent forms with me. I hadn't considered it but pleased she suggested it. Apparently it reduces a certain type of ovarian cancer too?