I am referring to this procedure called Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation Surgery. Many women would only choose to have this procedure after they have completed their families right after their C-Section or at a much later time.
Why did I do this procedure? I do not want to bear any children in my entire life, with or without the world trip. In fact, I made that decision when I was about 20 years old, way before I was sexually active and had a relationship. I am so serious about this that I revealed my stand at the very start of my relationship. If it is not agreeable, I would find another man who would agree with me. There was no way I would let a man change my mind on this.
I was cautious about not getting pregnant, so I had been on birth control pill for more than a decade now as I did not want to end up aborting a baby and end a life because of my carelessness. It is indeed an irony that abortions are easier to get than a tubal ligation surgery. Isn't the latter a more humane option?
Additionally, I did not want to worry about the effectiveness of my birth control pill if I suffer from severe diarrhoea or malaria during the upcoming world trip. Worse still, I did not want to worry about the authenticity of the birth control pills sold in more backward countries with its rampant counterfeit drugs.
Most certainly, this also means that I do not ever need to worry about cutting the trip short due to a sudden pregnancy news!
Why didn't I do this procedure earlier? I bet no doctor would take me seriously if I were in my 20s. They would think that I was probably an immature lass and that I would change my mind later on. Perhaps being in my mid 30s made the difference. The doctor at Singapore General Hospital, Dr Tan Hak Koon, agreed to perform the surgery without much resistance at all. Perhaps it helped that my husband was in the room with me.
However, there was one question that Dr Tan asked me, "Is your family complete without children?". I would say, "Yes!" Well, if one needs a child to make a marriage stronger, then the relationship has serious issues in the first place.
There is also another popular question that I have been asked, "Are you sure you won't regret your decision about not having children of your own?" I am sure that there are many parents out there who regret having children. Why is the spotlight not shone on them? The spotlight always shines on the childfree woman in particular.
This is disturbing to me. We are living in the 21st century and we, as women, can make a choice to be childfree and not be judged. After all, an adult's life can be full and enriching without children too.
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