Sterilisation

[Seasidemumma77]

I was just reading on another thread about a woman who was refused a sterilisation due to age, and now facing an unplanned pregnancy. It makes me so angry that still, in 2021, we as woman do not have the right to make an informed medical decision like this.

I was sterilised at the age of 34 after 4dc, and it was quite a battle. My GP was so supportive, he fought my corner valiantly, but it should never have been so hard.

That hasn’t been my experience, OP. The youngest patient I have anaesthetised for sterilisation was 21,(and most were in their late 20’s/early 30’s.)
She already had 5 children, due to contraceptive failures (stomach upset while on the pill, got pregnant with a coil still in situ, had a sheath burst).
I’ve also anaesthetised a 22 year old for a vasectomy.
However, that said, I think far fewer sterilisations are performed nowadays. The irreversibility, coupled with the risks of surgery and anaesthesia, make them a last resort when we have reliable implantable long term hormonal contraception.

I'm pleased to hear of your experiences, perhaps some hospital trusts are better than others.