Sound Off! Have You Considered Permanent Birth Control?

Seth Browarnik/Startraks

When some couples start out, they know right away how many children they’d like to have. So when they hit that “magic” number, many often opt for a permanent birth control procedure to set things in stone.

After welcoming daughter Blakesley Grace on April 3rd, Trista and Ryan Sutter announced Trista would get the Essure procedure, while Biggest Loser star Matt Hoover underwent a vasectomy midway through wife Suzy Preston Hoover‘s pregnancy with their second son, Jax Paul. Many celebrity families have likely done the same.

So here’s your chance to Sound Off! Tell us if you’ve considered or gone through with a permanent birth control procedure once you’re “done” having children.

Comments

Imo I think condoms and birth control is a better method, just in case down the road you change your mind. It’s less painful to use birth control than it would be to have your tubes untied or a reverse vasectomy. You never know if down the road you would change your mind and want more kids. but to each their own.

- Kayla on April 15th, 2009

After easily conceiving our first son, we spent many years trying to have another child, and eventually adopted our daughter. We were then shocked to conceive when I was 40, delivering my second son two days shy of my 41st birthday. Having spent six and a half years with no birth control (and no pregnancy), we never thought we’d have to consider permanent birth control. But as delightful as our eight-month-old “shock” is, I don’t want to be shocked again! So we are planning on my husband getting a vasectomy this year. I have been through so much with fertility treatments, he felt that it was his turn to put in some of the effort.

- Andrea on April 15th, 2009

Nope. Unless I was as really high risk pregnancy. I might change my mind, and permanent b.c for women is a lot more invasive then for men. Pass!

- Bieta on April 15th, 2009

I don’t exactly fit in your demographic, as I don’t have children, but I also plan to live child-free permanently. At 34, I could stay on the Pill, etc., and continue to wait until I’m menopausal, but I wish that weren’t my only option. If it weren’t my only option – and while I would probably wait until I’m at least 40 just to be sure – I would strongly consider and probably have performed a permanent birth control procedure at that time.

- Jen DC on April 15th, 2009

I had my tubes tied in 2005 after my fourth child. We have two boys and two girls and that was enough for us. Sometimes, I feel a little sad when I see my friends having babies. My husband and I got started early. I was 23 when I had my tubes tied, so most of my friends are just getting started.

- Shannon on April 15th, 2009

it’s an incredibly sensitive issue.. as for me, i will never ever consider this as an option. cause things change

- Jikus on April 15th, 2009

Personally, I am not “done” with the baby thing yet, so this isn’t a consideration for me at this time, but I can’t imagine making a decision so final that it can’t be reversed if needed (for whatever reason). I think it’s a combination of two things with me, the first being that I don’t want to ever actually believe I don’t have the ability to have another baby if that’s what I chose, and two, I have known two people who had permanent birth control measures (one male, one female) put in place and regretted it later. I am totally in support of the procedures and the practices, but I don’t ever see myself wanting to do that.

- Alex on April 15th, 2009

I only have 1 child but I’m not married. I would consider some form of permanent birth control. I feel it’s the responsible thing to do. If you don’t want anymore children, why keep that option open when it is such a life changing thing whether it be financialy, psychologically or physically.

I think it is a wise decision.

- Kelli on April 15th, 2009

My husband had a vasectomy 3 months after our 3rd son was born. Once I found out I was going to need a c/s I wanted to get my tubes tied but I was told it was too late because I’d need to take a class and sign a lot of things and there was no class coming up before I had my son.
My husband ended up needing testicular surgery anyway so he told them to just do the vasectomy while they were in there.

- Amber on April 15th, 2009

most definetly! i’m currently pg with #4 and this is it for us! heck, we were actually done after #3 but this baby decided to make a grand appearance before our scheduled ‘cut off’ dates. =) we have 3 girls, so while i’m hoping for a boy, i’m not going to be upset if its another girl and it won’t change my decision to be completely done with kids. my husband is getting a vasectomy before this pg is even done, and i’m getting the essure after this baby is born for ‘safe measure’. 3/4 of my kids were conceived while either on birth control pills or condoms so i dont have much faith in them anymore. and i know my luck! we’d be the .5% to conceive after a vasectomy which is why i’m also getting sealed off: for safe measure! =)

- christie on April 15th, 2009

I’m not in favor of permanent sterilization procedures and here’s why: when my husband and I were both 29, after having 2 sons, we decided on a vasectomy. We made the decision when our 2nd son was a newborn, which is really the wrong time to make such a life-changing decision. We felt (at the time) that we were satisfied with the size of our family.

Fast forward a couple of years and we realized we wanted another baby. I know some people can’t understand changing your mind like that, but we did. My husband (my hero!) was brave enough to have a vasectomy reversal, which was a lot more expensive and painful than the original vasectomy. It took us a year after that, but finally we were successful in conceiving. I’m currently 5 months pregnant with a baby girl!

We feel like we are “done” growing our family after this baby, but judging by what happened before, we will NOT be doing anything permanent. We will use other modes of birth control. You never know how you might feel in a few years.

If you are still fairly young, I think it’s a risky idea to have a vasectomy or tubal ligation. Trista is 36 and Ryan is 34. I feel like that’s on the young side to do something permanent. What is most concerning to me is the fact that they’re doing it so soon after their daughter was born. We did the same after our 2nd, and looking back, I realize I was hormonal and not in the right state of mind to make such a decision.

Good luck to Ryan and Trista. I hope they won’t regret their decision, because reversals are tough and success isn’t guaranteed.

- Mary on April 15th, 2009

My husband and I have a son and we are expecting twin girls in five months. As much as we are excited about the upcoming arrival of our princesses we are also thinking about undergoing some sort of permanent birth control procedure, either a tubal ligation or a vasectomy. However we will probably wait a year or so after the birth of our twins to be sure that is what we really want because the reversal of either of those is not 100% effective.

- Corinne on April 15th, 2009

It is a personal decision and can be hard to make. Initially I was going to get my tubes tied after my second child but backed out because I was only 30 and wanted to leave my options open. Now my kids are 8 and 5 and I’m about to be 36. My husband and I tried to have a third but it was unsuccessful and stressful so he had a vasectomy last year. It was a difficult decision and was hard to digest after it was done but my brother’s wife just had a baby and I realized I’m okay with just two. My kids are happy, very healthy and what do I have to complain about?

- Jennifer on April 15th, 2009

I have known since I was a teenage that I only wanted one child, and at 35 I gave birth to her. I wanted to have my tubes tied while still on the table after my c-section. But my mother convinced me to wait, just in case. Three years after that, I needed to have a medical procedure done that would make another pregnancy very dangerous, so I finally got my tubes tied. Absolutely no regrets.

- Veroncia on April 15th, 2009

My husband and I have five kids: three boys, two girls ages 7 years to 3 months. We are finished having kids, so he had a vasectomy after our youngest was born in January. I had all of the kids vaginally, and the last one with no meds, so we figured he could do the snipping…well, at least I figured. He wasn’t looking forward to it, obviously–but it was the right choice for us. As others have said, it’s different for everyone. We are 100% done…and we are happy with our decision.

- Mo on April 15th, 2009

My husband and I decided that permanent birth control was the way that we were going to go, after our third son was born. I was 27 years old when I had my tubes tied…actually not just tied (I think they cut, burnt and tied them).
Now, I am 30 and really bummed about it. I didn’t think that I would ever want four children, but now I seemed to have changed my mind I am seriously considering meeting with my doc to discuss options for artificial insemination (by my husband) …I think that is the only way it will work….who knows!!

- mj on April 15th, 2009

I would never do anything permanent and I would never expect my boyfriend to do anything permanent either. But if he wants to, that’s his own choice. But birth control pills has worked for me for 10 years, so after delivering our son in a few weeks, I plan to just go back on that when I’m done breastfeeding.

- Majbritt on April 15th, 2009

I am 31 and my youngest is 20 months and my oldest is 5. I don’t want to say we’re ” done ” because I always feel there is room for one more. I don’t plan on getting my tubes tied and I don’t want my hubby to get a vasectomy. Knowing that it’s ” over ” scares me.

- Andrea E. on April 15th, 2009

I am 32 and have 3 kids. I am positive that I am done having kids. Right now I have a Mirena IUD because when I had it inserted, almost 2 years ago I was not completely sure. Now I am. It is a myth that a vasectomy is less invasive. It was true in the past but not anymore. There is Essure, which is mentioned in the post. The FDA has also approved a procedure called Adiana, which is similar to Essure, but the inserts dissolve and leave no foreign material in your body permanently. When it is time to have my Mirena removed I am planning on having this done.

- Trish on April 15th, 2009

I am 19 days away from a repeat C-section and plan to have my tubes tied during the surgery. If I was able to have babies with little to no problems, I would not be doing anything permanent. But that is not the case and 3 C-sections is out of the question. It’s different for everyone, but we just know this is right for us.

- Kelly on April 15th, 2009

Actually, my husband and I did take this route after our 5th child was born. Being a Roman Catholic, it is againt the faith and teachings of the church. At the time, we didn’t realize this.

Now, if I had to go back and do it again, I would practice abstinence, instead of birth control. I know that there are several people out there who would disagree, but we are ALL different.

- Diane on April 15th, 2009

Well lets see, I got pregnant the first time with a condom. Second child was planned. When he was about 9 months, my husband got a vasectomy. The first year after he got fixed, I stayed on the pill. 3 years after his procedure I was pregnant. So when I went in for my scheduled c-section, I got my tubes tied at the same time. Upon finding out that my doctor had heard of women getting pregnant with a tubal, I made my husband get a 2nd vasectomy.

- Colleen on April 15th, 2009

I think is so funny this is up today, yesterday I signed the papers to get my tubes tied.. well cut and they tried so hard to talk me out of it- I thought it was so funny! I am like listen lady….. just hand the papers over ASAP!!!! I feel to each their own and as a woman you know your limits…… you may not want to go as extreme as me… but hey GOOD LUCK!

- laya b on April 15th, 2009

My husband is having a vasectomy in July. We have 2 beautiful girls, and he’s not getting any younger (he’s 35) and wouldn’t want to be that old dad that can’t do anything with our kids (I’m turning 26 on Saturday.) Vasectomies are easier to recover from than a tubal, so that’s why he’s doing it. I refuse to use birth control because I hemmoraghed (sp?) when I was on the pill once, and have been way too scared to go back on it (caused by a hormonal imbalance, I had to be put on HRT to put it back in balance.) Hormones are regulated by your body, I don’t think it’s a good idea to mess with it with synthetic hormones. Personally, I see the rise in the number of BCP users and the rise in early onset breast cancer to be directly related.

- Rebecca on April 15th, 2009

I just recently turned 33 in March. My boyfriend, prior to meeting me, had scheduled his vasectomy for his birthday this summer. Since us getting together he has decided to postpone the surgery so we can try for a baby later this year or early next year. Hopefully, we will be able to have our 2 and then we are done. He has stated that he will get the procedure done after the 2nd baby. This is not something that I brought to him, but it came up during a discussion one day. I am all for him getting the vasectomy and he feels it’s the least he can do after I, hopefully, would have given birth to his children.

- OnyxJones on April 15th, 2009

I am pregnant with our second right now and we aren’t done yet. When we decide we are done my husband will be getting a vasectomy.

- Megan on April 15th, 2009

Diane,
So you wouldn’t have sex until you went through menopause or you would do natural family planning? NFP is 99% accurate when done right, but one night of “What the heck” can result in getting pregnant (my youngest is proof of that.) My husband and I are being abstinent until after his post-vasectomy test, and it’s really hard, we’ve been abstinent since last July, so 9 months now. I find it really funny when people are like, “We’d just be abstinent” when they’re probably having regular sex, you have no idea how hard it is to stay abstinent, really abstinent, because other than the first 5 days of your cycle (which for me is when I’m actually bleeding, and not a time I’m feeling sexy) you can get pregnant at any time during your cycle.

- Rebecca on April 15th, 2009

My husband and I have 4 children ranging from 22 months-8. We used the Mirena IUD and LOVED it betwene our 3rd and 4th. Our 4th was a surprise C section and I had my tubes cut tied and burnt while I was on the table. It was the right decision. If I followed my heart I would have 20 children.

Love the 4 I have, Glad I get to sleep all night again and happy to watch them grow…:)

- Courtney on April 15th, 2009

I am almost 44 and my husband is almost 50. Our kids are now 11 1/2 (a boy) and 8 1/2 (a girl). I knew when I was pregnant at 35 with our daughter, that she was going to be our last child. About 5 years ago, my husband and I discussed a vascetomy for him because we both knew the healing time would be much longer if I were to get my tubes tied. He did it and we are so glad–there’s no chance now of getting pregnant again!

- Sarah on April 15th, 2009

Colleen

I feel bad for laughing but you and your husband are some fertile people. You could have been the just like the Duggars. If only you had known all the millions you could make for being a baby machine

On to the subject at hand

I don’t have any children nor husband to have children with at the current moment but I want around 3/4 but even after I think my family is complete I think I will just keep using my nuva ring instead of getting a permanent procedure in case I ever want anymore. A vasectomy is less invasive and easily reversible also, so if I have a considerate husband he might decide to have that instead of me on BC

- stedine on April 15th, 2009

IMO permanent birth control is a scary thing. What if we do change our minds down the road? My husband and I have a 20 month old daughter after trying for her for 8 months. Before I got pregnant, neither of used any form of birth control for 7 years, so we were lucky nothing happened. Now I have been on Nuva ring for a year and so far so good.

- Ashley on April 15th, 2009

I am 35 & my husband is 40. Our sons are 12 & 2. We decided very shortly after the 2nd child that we were done. I wanted him to have a vasectomy & he wasn’t fighting me on it but I learned about the Essure procedure and decided it was best for us.

A vasectomy would have cost us at least $500 with our insurance but after extensive medical bills, I wasn’t willing to shell out that much money. My doctor was able to do the $2400 Essure procedure in her office and it only cost us my $40 office co-pay. It was very simple, no more invasive than a pap and was done in less than 10 minutes. I went home slept off the pain meds, which weren’t really needed, and that afternoon walked almost 2 miles. It was the easiest & best choice for me & my family.

- Jennifer on April 15th, 2009

I am 27 soon to be 28 and my husband is 30. We have two daughters and we planned on having one more in a few more years. He has stated that he is willing to get a vasectomy after we have the last child. He was going to get one when we had our second daughter but agreed we should wait until Im atleast 35 incase we get a baby itch lol
A.J.

- *AJ* on April 15th, 2009

I am 32 and my husband is 39. I’ve always wanted a big family (3-4) kids but my husband wanted two kids. We have a son who is now 4.5 and after he was born we made a “deal”: if baby #2 was a boy, we would consider have and third with the hope that it would be a girl. Needless to say, we were stunned when I got pregnant with #2 and we learned that we were expecting twins (girls). They were spontaneous. We have no family history of multiples nor was there fertility involved. Having twins is a wonderful blessing, but it has also been incredibly stressful both persoanlly and financially.

When I was pregnant, we told everyone that were done having kids. And my husband agreed to get a vasectomy. After the girls were born I couldn’t ask him to go through with it. As stressful as having twins has been, even at 4 weeks post partum I KNEW that I was not ready for this chapter of my life to be over. I wasn’t ready to be done and I wasn’t in a place where I could look at my family and say, “this is what God intended for it to be.” So I chose to get a Mirean IUD instead. As my OBGYN said to me, “it has all the benefits of a tubal but without the permenancy.”

- Gingi on April 15th, 2009

This is of course a very personal decision and each of us has to make the best choice for ourselves. That being said, I have two beautiful children, my son who is soon to be 6 and a daughter who will soon be 3. Pregnancy was not a wonderful experience for me; I was pretty ill for both and needed to be on medications due to excessive nausea/vomiting. I had to have two C sections, the first one as my son was breech and I was not a candidate for a version, nor a vaginal birth- I also had pre-eclampsia, so my son was delivered early than his due date. I had a wonderful C section and recovery, no issues whatsoever. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my husband and I discussed our choices and I decided to have my tubes tied. It was an easy decision, I was an older mom (37) and required a second C section, which was a lot harder than the first one. The actual surgery was harder, I threw up a few times (which believe me is really difficult laying down!). I had much more scar tissue, my uterus was very irritated and had I tried to have a course of natural labor, my uterus would have ruptured it was so thin. As it turns out, I would not have sustained a third pregnancy due to those complications. I have no regrets whatsoever for the choice I made for permanent birth control. My family is complete, I am healthy and 40 years old now. I can appreciate others feeling that their families are not complete and women who can and do have healthy pregnancies into their 40′s. I am just not able to.

- Amy on April 15th, 2009

Permanent birth control isn’t for me – at least not yet. I think possibly when we absolutely know for sure that we are done, we’d consider it. However since I have known several friends to get pregnant after a tubal, we’d probably go the vasectomy route….if I can convince my husband of it, LOL

- Leah on April 15th, 2009

Stedine,

That’s ok you can laugh, because we laugh about it all the time. When I told my husband I was pregnant that 3rd time, he asked me half way thru our conversation if I was pulling his leg! My story is legendary with friends. It’s a running joke that if I get pregnant again we’re going after both our docs! Although she wasn’t planned, my 3rd is a joy, but she certainly keeps me on my toes.

- Colleen on April 15th, 2009

We have three children, twin girls and a son. My husband says we’re done and wanted a vasectomy after our son was born. He even went as far as to make an appt. with the urologist. When I broke down in the waiting room at his appt., that was the end of that. The doctor would not perform the vasectomy without my consent and my hubby agreed to find another option. I am now almost two years into my Mirena and love it. If we don’t try for another child when this Mirena is removed, I would get another Mirena. I just can’t do the permanent thing. I’ve known too many people who regret it.
P.S.
A vasectomy is NOT an easy reversal. Hubby’s doctor was very frank about the success rates after a verersal. They aren’t that great.

- MammaDucky on April 15th, 2009

MJ,

You can’t do artificial insemination (IUI) if you don’t have functional tubes. If they couldn’t reverse your tubal ligation, your only option would be in vitro fertilization (IVF).

- Delaney on April 15th, 2009

I think this choice is up to each person. I also think we need to be responsible – and not an octomom. If I could afford more children, maybe I’d have more. But I have three beautiful boys and no matter what anybody says, I could care less if I had a girl. I was pregnant 27 months, dealt with heartburn, hemorroids, weight gain, moodiness, etc. So I told my husband that unless he wanted number four, he’d have to get a vasectomy. It was his turn. So yes, permanent birth control is the option we chose.

- mom of 3 boys on April 15th, 2009

i’m thinking about having tubes tied after my 3d child

- nimbusi on April 15th, 2009

I had an UID implant but because I’ve never given birth I had a partial expulsion which scared me. It is easy to expell it without realising it. Afer that I had my tubes tied. It was costly but totally worth it. I get a lot of bad comments when I share this about me but I wouldn’t have any other way. I can only support one child.

- eva on April 15th, 2009

My husband and I decided that when we’re done, he’ll get a vasectomy. I just had our first and it was a difficult pregnancy with a c-section under general anesthesia and complications after that (I knew I was high risk from the get-go). We’d like to have one more biological child and then adopt the rest of our family (maybe 2 more), but I’m not sure that’s going to be possible. If my doctors advise against a second my husband will get a vasectomy then, and if we get the go-ahead, sometime after the 2nd baby is born. I actually don’t care either way. I am really grateful I got the experience of being pregnant and having a baby (even if I wasn’t “there” for the delivery) but to me it doesn’t matter if our kids are biological or adopted: they’re still our kids.

- MZ on April 15th, 2009

Yes, I have! I didn’;t consider it when i had my first daughter, but now that we have her and decided that we feel happy and comfortable with one…I wished I had decided to ahve my tubes tied during my c-section. It would have been easier because I don;t like ANY hormones in the pills (even the lowest makes me depressed and icky)and the copper IUD can cause copper toxicity and I have a close friend who had perrible problems with it after 4 yrs of use..really bad. Condoms and pull out are so risky, so..in a way wished (considering) a way of perm BC! Hmm..

- Kirstin on April 15th, 2009

When I was pregnant with my 5th child, my husband took it upon himself to get a vasectomy. I did not know about the appointment until the day before. I went with him, to talk to the doctor, and let him know I was dead set against it. However, I was told it was “none of my business” and my husband went through with the vasectomy. Six years later, and I still feel like my family will NEVER be complete. I am still having a hard time dealing with it. I felt and still do feel betrayed by both my husband and the doctor that allowed it to happen.

- Kellie on April 15th, 2009

Hi Rebecca,

I’m 47, and am already past menopause. We have been married for 19 years and are done having children. We did go the NFP route in the beginning, before we conceived our first child now 17,but later decided that this wasn’t working for us.It worked for a while, but it became a real pain to be taking my temparature everyday. We did use other forms of birth control, back before we knew better. We had two oops pregnancies. Our youngest daughter is 7 1/2 now, and she was a twin, although the twin didn’t survive. I understand where your coming from with the “what the heck”. I only takes one time. Abstinence is very difficult, but again it’s got to be both partners willing to be strong for the other. I know it can be done, because I know people who have done it, abstinece that is. After my husband had his, we had three tests to confirm the we were all clear. I know just how hard it is to be abstinent, don’t get me wrong. After all these years, I should know. It takes a lot of discipline, and yes there were times when that flew out the window. We are only human. Permanent birth control is just not something that I personally agree with now, even though I’ve done it. I was most fertile the 7 days after my period ended. We are all different and our cycles are as well. Right now, I’m glad I don’t have them anymore. Now I get to listen to my 17 year old complain about them. It’s quite humorous.

- Diane on April 15th, 2009

@Colleen,
I had to laugh at your story, too, sorry;)My mother used to tell me all the time that she got pregnant with me while on the pill (after my older siblings were planned), I love that, makes me feel so special and invincible;)

- kai on April 15th, 2009

I would never consider permanent birth control. I think the pill is just too awesome to even consider it. I always know when I’m going to get my period. I don’t have acne anymore, and it helps me lose weight(I’m on Yaz). Even if there weren’t easier safer meathods I would never get sterilized. What if I should change my mind or something happens to one of my children? I would never want to be childless or have any of my children be only children.

- Kate on April 15th, 2009

@Colleen

The same thing happened to my aunt and uncle! He had a vasectomy after #2, and another one after #3. That one seemed to work. Thankfully my dad only needed it done once.

- Jeanne on April 15th, 2009

My husband had a vasectomy at age 21, then reversed it for me when he was 31 — but the reversal, as is common, didn’t work. Now we have been through two cycles of IVF (one failed and one we’re in the middle of), where I am the one physically taxed by the choice he made when he was so young. Things change. Permanent fertility surgery is a huge decision.

- courtney on April 15th, 2009

Yes i do. I have permanent birth control and its called tying my tubes. I am 27 with 2 boys who are 6 and 3 and both pregnancies were not good even after giving birth. I had an abcess with both of my pregnancies, which is a real bad infection. I was basically on my death bed with the birth of my second child. That is when the doctor told me that if i had anymore children, i would die because of the previous infections. That is when i decided on tying my tubes(and burning them) because i want to see my kids grow up. My husband supported me 100% on my decision.

- giggles on April 15th, 2009

Yes! I had a tubal ligation after my last baby was born by c-section in March 2008. I was 35 when she was born, but since my history over the past 13yrs included two miscarriages, the birth/death of my 24wk son and the healthy birth of my 9yr old daughter and 7yr old son, along with that being my 4th c-section, I felt that, even if the baby bug bit me again, my body had already done it’s duty for king and country. It’s been difficult getting used to the idea of never carrying another baby, but another high risk pregnancy was not worth my losing my life, so now I”m enjoying the life I am living to the fullest with my 3 miracles

- Monique on April 15th, 2009

After our third child (two boys and a girl) we absolutely knew we were done having babies and ready to move on to raising the three we had, so my husband had a vasectomy. I was 38 at the time and neither one of us has regretted the decision. It was permanent and exactly what we wanted.

- Lorelei on April 15th, 2009

My husband and I have not talked about this, but at this point, I don’t think I ever would (or ask him to) for a number of reasons. First of all, I’m currently pregnant with #3, and I’ve always had fairly easy pregnancies and deliveries (beyond nausea and other discomforts) and healthy kids. Secondly, while we’re not of the “Quiverful” philosophy, as a Christian, I believe the Bible teaches that children are a blessing and we should be open to the idea of a large family, as long as we are responsible in raising or caring for them. (I’m not saying that is the only correct interpretation, or that others, Christian or not, should believe exactly the same thing, nor that people who use permanent BC don’t see children as a blessing either–just that’s my interpretation for our specific situation.) Finally, my husband is only 30 and I am only 35, and if, heaven forbid, one of us dies before the other and the other remarries, that person might want the opportunity to have children with a new spouse.

- Michelle on April 15th, 2009

yes! I have 4 kids now. my husband and i have 2 children together,he has one from previous and i have 2 from previous.so altogether we have 5. I’m 31 now and he’s 40. we’re DONE! my husband got a vasectomy…

- dawn on April 15th, 2009

Permanent birth control is a good option if you are absolutely sure you are done having kids, but then again things in life happen and we don’t see it.
A friend of mine had only wanted ONE boy and after she gave birth, she got her tubes tied. 5 years later her son unexpectedly died, and she could not get the procedure reversed.
Definitely something to think over clearly. It’s probably easier to keep your options open as long as you can.

- Sherry on April 15th, 2009

I think that everyone is different. I am 21 years old. I am currently 8.5 months pregnant with my 1st child. Pregnancy has been an absolute nightmare for me. I honestly would never do it again. But I know that in 5 years I may change my mind and want to possibly go through hell once again. But I would most definatly consider a permanent birth control. Like I said before everyone is different. Permanent BC maybe GREAT! for one couple but a HORRID choice for another.

- Stephanie on April 15th, 2009

Had my tubes tied with my second c-section. I was 41 and I was considered “advanced maternal age” and really, my body was tired from having my little boys 14 months apart…sometimes I regret it because of the “what if” but personally, I’m too old to be birthing babies…

- JK on April 15th, 2009

Yes, only because my mom had died and my husband and I were left to raise my brother and sister who were 8 & 7 at the time and we had our two a 2.5 year old and a one month old. I am now 36 and once in a while I get the baby itch but I just take one of my baby nieces for the night and I change my mind.

- Kim on April 15th, 2009

DH and I are both 34. We have two children – 4 1/2 and 15 months, and are pretty sure we are going to try for #3 later this year. Even though we only want 3 children, we will not use permanent birth control. My thought is that if something happened to our relationship, I would not want to deny either one of us the chance to have more children with a new partner. I will probably look into using Mirena after #3, or we will continue to use condoms, or the pill (if I can find one that doesn’t make me feel ill). And if we ended up with more than three kids, well, that wouldn’t be the end of the world either.

- alabama on April 15th, 2009

Unfortunately, vasectomies are not easily reversed. My husband had a reversal 2 years ago and it was not a success. At this point, IVF is our only option and it just isn’t financially possible.

- Christa on April 15th, 2009

I am 32 year old mother of 4. I had my first child when I was 22 and have spent the last 10 years pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to lose weight, then get pregnant again for all this time. My third pregnancy resulted in heavy blood loss. Then my fourth delivery resulted in my daughters shoulder getting stuck because she was very wide baby. Because of the severe damage to my bladder and surrounding structures, I decided to have LVR surgery and bladder repair. But before I went through that major expense I had my tubes completely burned to a crisp. Do I miss being pregnant and little babies..heck yeah. But the reality is that pregnancy kicks my butt and I don’t want to pee on myself for the rest of my life. I am happy now that I had the repair done. Still sad to a certain extent about my childbearing days being over. But I love my husband to much to make him wait forever to have his wife back. I just now am feeling like I am getting back to being myself and having a wonderful fullfilling life with my beautiful family. We have been eating better, traveling, I lost 60 lbs, and will hopefully start my career in nursing. I was blessed with two boys and two girls and what else can you ask for with healthy children and a wonderful loving husband.

- Nicole on April 15th, 2009

I have 3 kids ages 14, 8 & 7. My husband and I decided that after the last one we were done. I had my tubes tied right after my last delivery (I delivered vag. but, had an epidural). We found that afterwards we enjoyed more spontaneous sex. It was awesome not to worry or think about the what ifs. I think it was one of the best decisions I have made.

- hboulware on April 15th, 2009

I had a tubal after the c section of my 4th child. I was 29 and my hubby was 38. I didn’t start to regret it until about two years ago (my youngest just turned six two weeks ago) knowing that we didn’t want to start shelling out money for a tubal reversal that might not even work.. we instead got licensed for foster care.. this was and is the best decision we have ever made!!!

- Tracy on April 15th, 2009

I’m just curious as to what kind of recovery time are you ladies talking about after a tubal? I had a tubal AND an uterine ablation on a Friday morning, and was up and around Saturday afternoon. Slightly sore in the tummy, but far from laid up.

- Veroncia on April 15th, 2009

you have to be sure, but yeah, I would definitely go for it.

I wouldn’t want to do an invasive procedure like tying my tubes, but I know for the celebs above, she was having a 2nd c/s anyway, so it wasn’t additional surgery.

I would go with the new thing… Essure birth control (www.essure.com) or a vasectomy.

Right now, I have 3 kids and we aren’t sure if we’re done… but when we are sure, whether we still have 3, or we’ve had more, one of us will get it done. That way we don’t have to worry about a surprise.

- Kat on April 15th, 2009

Diane I must say I was impressed because you defended that as being a Roman Catholic we can’t use birth control methods that ain’t natural… you’re right…the Pope Paul VI wrote an Encyclical called “Humanae Vitae” talking about this subjects… there are many methods that do work (like the cristalization of the saliva…) besides people should get married a little later… if you get married when you’re 20 years old the odds to have many children are quite bigger…

I don’t know if you all know but un-natural birth control methods ain’t good for women… for instance, pills have many side-effects and all the women I know that got their tubes cut have a huge amount of blood in their periods… my aunt has to use both menstrual pad and tampones because of all the extra bleeding…

- Elisa on April 15th, 2009

While I don’t yet have any children (or in a relationship at the moment), I do want them in the future. The only problem I have with a permanent solution, is that people change over time. While some say they don’t want any more now, they may feel completely different in the future. And I’ve heard, as others have said, that reversals are more costly and more painful. But there are women who get pregnant while on various forms of birth control, so I can see how after they feel they are ‘done’, they may want a permanent solution. Also, some people have VERY difficult pregnancies/deliveries. My cousin and her husband have 2 boys. The first was born 6 weeks early with many problems (he’s a healthy 5 year old now) and the second was born 2 months early (with surprisingly few problems and now a healthy 3 year old), also. So after their second, her husband had a vasectomy. I have also heard MANY stories from couples who have done a permanent solution and the majority have later regretted it.

- Sarah on April 15th, 2009

I would hope that this would be a decision that I made WITH my husband. The majority of answers here sound like the women are making the decisions themselves, which doesn’t surprise me considering how quick people are to divorce. Why would any woman want to have a permanent birth control procedure when they can leave their options open, meaning divorce their current husband and go start a family with a new man.

I think Trista and Ryan are doing a very sensible thing.

- Jenna on April 15th, 2009

I’m not a mum yet and don’t plan to be for a while, but I think once my family feels complete I’d be happy for my husband to get a vasectomy. I’m not comfortable with being on the Pill for decades at a time, but at the same time I guess it has its benefits other than birth control.

Anyway…my experience of permanent b/c is with the guy I’ve been seeing for the past year who had a vasectomy ages ago, when he was 24. Whilst I don’t ever see myself having kids with him and he always says he’s very happy with his decision, when I first found out I was really upset. It really brought home the fact that there could be no real future in this…it would someday end because he was dead against having children and I will probably want them (and no, I’m definitely not an obsessive bunny boiler type, but I think very few people want to enter a relationship knowing that it will end). And even more so, I felt sad for him, even though I had no real right to. It just got to me that that was it…he made a decision when he was a young man and has since changed a lot but will always live with the consequences. I dunno…I just feel that it’s best for people to stick it out a bit or wait until their family is complete before doing anything that has such low successful reversal rates.

- Lily on April 15th, 2009

My husband was only 27 when he had a vasectomy, and I was only 24. It’s quite young in the scheme of things but it was the right decision for us. We have 2 girls, who are now aged 4 & 3. He had the procedure done soon after our second girl was born. In Australia the procedure is very quick & non invasive, and not terribly expensive either. (at least alot cheaper than any female version of permanent birth control)

We both felt so blessed and lucky to have 2 gorgeous and healthy daughters, and our family felt complete. Also financially it would be less stressful to provide for two children then it would be for more. We wanted to ensure our children didn’t have to grow up in a family where there was constant financial stresses and possible relationship strains.

I know that this isn’t the case for all large families, there are large families out there which are under no financial stress at all & have ways of providing for large numbers of children, and that is a great thing for them. But for our situation, we wanted to stop at 2 children and provide the best for them that we could.

And now at 27, I love being a young mum and even more now as my girls are out of the baby stage. I’m enjoying the last of my 20′s, and my husband & I are having a great time going out and having more time to ourselves. Our girls are happy and healthy and are the best of friends.

Every family situation is different, but permanent contraception was the right decision for us and we have no regrets.

- Sarah on April 15th, 2009

My husband and I have never considered permanent birth control, and we have never used any artificial birth control in my 17 year marriage. My husband and I decided this before we were married. I am 41, he is 43 and we have an 11 year old son who is the joy of our lives. While I don’t believe I am capable of having anymore children, I don’t believe I’m in menopause either. NFP has always worked for us.

- samsmom on April 15th, 2009

I wound never get permanent birth control. Also I would never ask my significant other to get permanent birth control.

- Alex on April 15th, 2009

After my fourth child (and a very difficult pregnancy; I almost died afterward); I had a tubal ligation. My husband refused to have a vasectomy; so I had to ‘take charge’. What can one do? Just my thoughts..

- Judith on April 15th, 2009

I have a 22 month old son and will most likely end up having my tubes tied at some point. I have a chronic illness, and pregnancy is risky for me…not to mention I threw up for 30 weeks of my 37 week pregnancy last time. I am not 100% sure I am “done” (maybe more like 98% sure) so I am going to wait about one more year, and then if I am still in the “no more babies” camp either my husband will get the snip snip or I will.

- Angelika on April 15th, 2009

I think my husband would be the one to get it.
I’ve done the IUD and birth control pills throughout our earlier years, so I think we both agree that it would kind of be his turn.

- Mrs. R. on April 15th, 2009

I have the worst endometriosis in the world, so I will never intend to block a pregnancy–I have never been able to get pregnant. It’s just about impossible for me, not only because of the endo, but I need to stay on birth control pills to control the intense pain. At first I was really bad at taking them at the same time each day because I WANTED to screw up the birth control properties of the pill! (In case we could possibly have a surprise, but after years and years of fertility treatments and a few surgeries, we’ve been told not to expect anything.) I have come to terms with all of this and therefore will stay on birth control until I’m 51 (my doctor’s upper limit) and then I plan to have a hysterectomy. So, no surprises, but we are very lucky to have a beautiful family formed through adoption, and hope to continue to add to it.

However, IF we could have all the children we wanted, I would consider getting my tubes tied during a c-section or having my husband get a vasectomy. They’re minor, safe procedures. I have no ethical issues with them.

- Amy on April 15th, 2009

I actually underwent a tubal ligation in 2005 when I was 27. I was confident that I never, ever wanted children, even though I was single at the time and not in a serious relationship.
I married a few years later (2008) – and my decision stands firm as it was in 2005. No regrets. My husband is 100% satisfied that I cannot have children, and I am satisfied that there will be no surprise visits from the stork as well.

My doctor was understanding and did not try to make me feel bad or less than a woman simply because I did not want to procreate and add another person to this already crowded planet.

- IAB on April 16th, 2009

I was one of those women who had her tubes clamped after the birth of our third daughter almost 10 years ago. Much to my utter shock and delight we found ourselves pregnant again this time last year. Sadly it ended in miscarriage about 6 weeks in. Since then we have taken the platform if we conceive again and carry successfully to term that child was meant to be. If not we have 3 fantastic kids and could not ask for more.

I would not have my tubal clamp procedure again because it made my periods much heavier/more painful and was a very invasive procedure for it to not be entirely reliable.

- De on April 16th, 2009

I didn’t think tubal ligation was such a common practice these days when there are other, perhaps safer alternatives out there. I know in many parts of Europe there is something called a coil birth control device. It is what most women of child-bearing years tend to use after their first or second birth and can decide if they want more later. I think in the U.S. they have something somewhat similar called Essure. But just reading a little about Essure there definiteley are differences. For example, this coil procedure which is done quickly in the doctor’s office needs to be replaced every five years and this is coming straight from my dr, you can choose to have it removed anytime if you want to get pregnant again. I think with Essure, that is not an option. I have three friends in their 20′s that used this coil method and they are loving it. two of them had no side effects and one had major cramps for several months, maybe longer, but she is happy she stuck to it. I think I plan to have another… after that I’m using this as my permanent birth control, replacing the coil every 5 yrs works for me.

- oreo on April 16th, 2009

GRRRR! My computer went off for updates somehow while I was almost done posting this and I’m tired but feel what I was saying needs to be heard(just my opinion, I always have one) Please be very sure if you do, do it. I had bad endometriosis, and my ob/gyn convinced me that a hysterectomy was my best option. I have always regretted it. Less than a year later I was talking to a woman I know who had terrible endometriosis like mine and was almost always in terrible pain and lots of bleeding. She thankfully for her, switched Dr’s. and her new Dr. gave her some kind of hormone therapy and got her straightened out. A couple of years later, this same woman Dr. who had done my hysterectomy and advised her to have one too, suddenly left out town amidst rumors of her being questioned because of the number of hysterectomies she’d done.Also things can change and people sometimes do change their minds,my nephew had a vastectomy at the age of 20!, after their daughter was born and they regret it so much now. I had thought that they made men wait until they were at least 25 in our state (maybe not though) I’ve learned to live with it, but it was very hard for me to deal with for so many years, even though I was single, with no boyfriend or husband, I hated the thought that I could no longer have children. So please be very, very sure, and if you have a Dr. that is pushing you towards surgery and you’re unsure, get another opinion. Good luck to all of you and God bless you all.

- Kas on April 16th, 2009

Im not done yet at 33 with 3 children I still would love 2 more!My dh does not want the snip,so I dont know what we do when we are done.
My question is,do you ever relay konw when you are done with having kiddis?

- LadyKitty on April 16th, 2009

I had a tubal ligation after my 4th c-section, in Dec. 2007. I knew at the time we were done having kids … we have 2 boys and 2 girls and finally felt “complete”. I was worried I’d end up regretting the tubal, but that has not happened! I’m so happy to not have to worry about BC any longer. I’ll be 32 in June and always wanted to be done having children by the time I was 30. I had my 4th when I was 30. I’m very happy with our family size, and am looking forward to the next phase in our lives now… being done having babies and watching the kids grow!

- Heather on April 16th, 2009

I got pregnant the first time using a condom and miscarried. The second time I got pg using the PO. My third pg was planned, then I got pg with my 4th on the Nuvaring. My husband and I divorced after our second was born, and my 3rd’s dad disappeared when I was 4 months along. My dr asked me if I wanted to get my tubes tied during my c/s. I though very hard about doing this, because I was single with 3 kids already. But then I realized that I was only 25. Who knows what might happen in my life in the next 10-20 years that I could still conceivably have more kids? What if I get married again, and we want to have a baby together? I absolutely did not want to shut off that possibilty. So I opted not to. However since I don’t trust condoms, PO, or hormonal b/c, for obvious reasons, I decided to go for the Mirena. I absolutely love it! I don’t have to think about it, I have shorter, lighter and sometimes nonexistant periods, and I can always have it taken out if Prince Charming does come along!

- Shannon on April 16th, 2009

I had a tubal ligation after my 6 child was born in June 2007. I knew I was finished having babies. Sometimes my husband will ask if I made the right choice and I don’t even have to think about it I know in my heart I am really happy with my choice and now I gat to enjoy them all grow and someday they will all have there own children running around my house. I think you should really think about it before you have it done because I was going to get my tubal done before and I got there and I knew it wasn’t what I wanted and I left I think about it sometimes and I thank God I didn’t have it done because I wouldn’t have my other 2 beautiful daughters. You’ll know what right for you. This last time I knew deep down I was done.

- Mrs Theresa on April 16th, 2009

My husband had a vasectomy after our second son and ended up having it reversed. It took us 7 years to get pregnant and after a round of clomid we have been successful with son #3. We were too young to make a permanent decision all those years ago and regreted it, but after our baby was born I had a tubal and have never, ever looked back. We are very happy with our family and thankful for the miracles.

- Lisa on April 16th, 2009

Essure is the way to go. Good for her for getting the word out so people know they don’t have to get tubals anymore.

- Gwen on April 16th, 2009

We had a girl twenty years ago and a boy seventeen years ago. Over and done. My husband had a vasectomy after our Son was born. We have continued to have GREAT SEX and no worries. Go for it…..

- Kelly on April 16th, 2009

My boyfriend, doctor and I have all agreed that when we have decided we are done having children the I am going to have my uterus removed all together or my doctor will give me drugs to
put me through premature menopause.
Although this is not my first choice I suffer from terrible cramps and pms and it has become a health issue. It I wasn’t so young and still looking at having kids (I’m only 21) my doctor would have done this already.
I don’t regret having the choice made for me nor do I think it is a bad one, I know that even after the procedure we can always adopt in fact we probably will anyway.
It definitely is a personal decision and you have to do what you feel is right for you.

- bree on April 16th, 2009

I am 32 and have 3 kids. I am positive that I am done having kids. Right now I have a Mirena IUD because when I had it inserted, almost 2 years ago I was not completely sure. Now I am. It is a myth that a vasectomy is less invasive. It was true in the past but not anymore. There is Essure, which is mentioned in the post. The FDA has also approved a procedure called Adiana, which is similar to Essure, but the inserts dissolve and leave no foreign material in your body permanently. When it is time to have my Mirena removed I am planning on having this done.

My husband and I have 4 children ranging from 22 months-8. We used the Mirena IUD and LOVED it betwene our 3rd and 4th. Our 4th was a surprise C section and I had my tubes cut tied and burnt while I was on the table. It was the right decision. If I followed my heart I would have 20 children.

Love the 4 I have, Glad I get to sleep all night again and happy to watch them grow…:)

Hi
I am a believer in a permanent decision being made when it comes to long term birth control,but what if you have an itching feeling in the back of your head you may want more
I got married at 21,Had our daughter at 23,Son at 27 and now I’m approaching 29 and still not sure if I am finished with babies(Hubby is 32) so we still do have time,if we want to
He has said many times he will go and get the “snip” but I have heard some scary stories about twins and even triplets being born,even after dad had been “fixed”
Just wondering if you had been happy with IUD Mirena
I am thinking if having it put in as I have really not decided if we are finished or not and have used condoms most of our married life,Had been on pill as a younger person then tried it again after having a 7 year break and 2 kids and it still didnt agree with me,Would love some feed back
Thanks

- Kellie from Qld,AUSTRALIA on April 17th, 2009

Sorry not sure what happened I wanted to ask questions and forward to Trish and courtney and that didnt happen
Sorry
Now my comment has come in altogether and all over the place
Sorry

- Kellie from Qld,AUSTRALIA on April 17th, 2009

Never.
Unless it’s for health issues, it’s just not necessary.
I wouldn’t even consider asking a significant other either.

- Ans on April 17th, 2009

I’m 39. I got pregnant whilst on the pill at 37. I spent two months in the hospital with my pregnancy. Had a C-section and had the doctor do a tubal ligation at the same time.
My body simply cannot handle another pregnancy. So if I were to get pregnant “accidently” I would have to terminate, or mostly likely I would die.
I don’t want to have to make that decision.
If you are SURE you do not want, or if medically there is a reason you should not – have another child, I think permanent birth control is an excellent idea.
And it is a choice only you and your partner can make.

- Delilah on April 17th, 2009

I seriously believe as a form of birth control for the deadbeat/addicted to welfare parents out there and even people who want planned pregnancies men should get vasectomies and drop some sperm in a cup on the way. This way men who have 20 kids and dont support them could control their populations without saying its cruel and responsible parents could easily plan families with the reserve. I also believe women who plan/need to be on long term welfare and have three or more kids when they put their hand out should get their tubes tied. If the government paid for this they would save millions of dollars in the long run.

- Cortney on April 17th, 2009

My husband and I have been married for two years, together for six, and we’re planning on trying to get pregnant next year… We both have our ideal number of children (mine is two, his is three). I think after our second, we’d probably go the condom route for six months to a year then decide on if there will be a third. If we decide two is enough, then he’s going to get a vasectomy. If we decide we’d like three, then after the third we’ll again go the condom route for a while just to make sure we’re done at three.

We both figure since I’m the one doing the whole ‘birthing thing’ that he can get the vasectomy. I suppose if our kids are born via c-section, then the possibility of getting my tubes tied is greater. Condoms forever doesn’t sound like much fun to either of us… And I didn’t like how it felt to be on the pill, so it and the shot are out. Implantable and intrauterine are not options, to me. Neither are the sponge or diaphragm.

- Letitia on April 17th, 2009

Hey I just wanted to add that I got the 10 year IUD (Paragard) back in 2001, I am 33 and have an almost 9 year old daughter but I know eventually I will want more. I gained weight like crazy on the pill (no more hormones for me thanks, be it a pill, shot, implant or hormone based IUD) and I am allergic to latex (condoms obviously dont work well for me), and I have been with my current boyfriend for over 4 years so its not like I need std protection anymore. The way I stand right now I will be 35 when my IUD “expires” and if at that time we are not ready for kids then I will most likely get another 10 year IUD. all I gotta say is “man I love that thing!!!!!” personally that is the best option for women in my situation, no muss no fuss no babies!!!!! and the tiny bit more cramping I get with the IUD is totally far less then going through an unwanted labor!!! all that said if I did end up pregnant on it,(which is not likely at all, its effectiveness is more than the pill) we would just have a baby way sooner than we planned, not like it would be the end of the world. My little sister also just got the 10 year IUD after 9 years of marriage and 3 kids (one of which was unplanned)and she loves it, I would not get permanent birth control at this point or the foreseeable future

- Jennifer on April 17th, 2009

I have decided to get DESEXED!!!! after my baby is born in August. This was a surprise pregnancy and hit me like a frieght train. My husband refuses to have the easier procedure himself so its up to me now i guess. Well this will be baby number 7!!!!!!!

- popsykl on April 18th, 2009

After I have children this might be an option for me. But I know from previous articles about Trista and Ryan, that because she had so many complications with Max that after their daughter was born she was gonna have the procedure down. However she also stated that if her and Ryan decided to have anymore children they would adopt. So either way its a positive thing for them.

- Jacqi on April 18th, 2009

popskyi- Have you considered the Essure procedure? It’s actually a bit LESS invasive than the male procedure, as there are no incisions involved.

- CelebBabyLover on April 19th, 2009

HEY MY NAME IS JAX AND I AM A WOMAN AND I LOVE THE NAME!!!!….Nice to see Jax is still floating around out there!!!…..OH AND P>S. “permanent” birth control is no one’s business…. normal people through it… why can’t we just let the stars be normal and not get in their business??

- Jax on April 19th, 2009

No. I am Catholic and would not consider this or any other type of birth control.

- Kerry on April 19th, 2009

Jax- I agree with you! I feel the exact same way about newly married couples (whether celebs or not) get asked the classic question: “When are you going to have kids?” or “When are you going to start a family?” (and especially when it’s a total stranger asking the question!). I mean, first of all, not everyone wants kids. Second of all, not everyone is ABLE to have kids. I mean, if you’re struggling with infertility, the absolute last question you probably want to be asked is “When are you going to have kids?”

Third of all, asking when a couple is going to have kids is basically asking about what’s going on in their bedroom….Which, let’s face it, is defiently sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong (I certainly can’t think of very many things more personal than what goes in a couple’s bedroom!)!

- CelebBabyLover on April 20th, 2009

Whoops! Forgot to add that birth control, permant or no, is also basically asking about what goes on in the bedroom. People really need to learn to mind their own business!

- CelebBabyLover on April 20th, 2009

I know that Trista had issues with her pregnancies and it is not for us to judge their decision. After several miscarriages, I have a wonderful daughter through the blessing of adoption. If I were to conceive again, it would likely be my demise. If the child survived, how sad a situation would that be. Everyone has their reasons for their choices and they are just that…their choices. I chose life and raising children who needed a mom as much as I wanted to be one.

- Sandy on April 20th, 2009

About 9 months ago I had my third son. During my c-section I had a tubial. I was high risk with all three of my pregnancies due to me having blood clots before ever getting pregnant. I got the blood clots from taking birth control. Other than condoms there was no other way. Plus my last baby cost $55,000.

- Liz on April 20th, 2009

I know this is an old thread, but I just had to respond to Rebecca who said “other than the first 5 days of your cycle … you can get pregnant at any time during your cycle” — I just wanted to let everyone else know who might have read that that it’s not true. My husband and I have practiced NFP throughout our 7-year marriage, and I’m in training to become certified to teach NFP. While yes, every woman’s cycle is different, there is no woman who can become pregnant at *any* time during her cycle. A woman can only get pregnant when the conditions are right, that is, during the days surrounding ovulation (sperm can live up to 5 days if the conditions in the woman’s body are sperm-friendly, and an egg only survives for up to 24 hours after ovulation. So the truly potentially fertile time is, AT MOST, 5 days before ovulation until 1 day after).

A properly taught woman will be able to identify the signs that ovulation is impending, as well as the signs that ovulation has already happened, unless her particular signs of fertility are difficult to interpret (which is unusual, though possible). But even those women who have difficulty figuring out their signs of fertility cannot get pregnant at *any* time during their cycle — only during those potentially fertile days around ovulation.

- Kate on July 31st, 2009

I have two beautiful little girls and had wanted more. My ex husband was a very controlling man who had said that he did NOT under any circumstances want to have anymore children with me. Now he’s remarried and has 1 baby all ready and 2 more due in April and both by different moms! Him and his wife had a three-some and he got both of the females pregnant!

Anyhow he had decided that regular birth control was not good enough for me to be on and he would even consider getting the reversible tubaligations or a vasectomy done on himself. He forced me to get the Essure copper coil Micro insertion as a complete fix to prevent me from ever getting pregnant again. I regret that decision since I am now with a wonderful man and we both would like more kids. Based on the research, it may be possible to get the coils removed but not highly probable. They only likely way to ever be able to have children again would be with your eggs and his sperm undergoing I.F. since the only “damaged” part of you would be the fallopian tubes and you still have all of the other part working.

- Melissa on October 21st, 2009