She nodded at the new baby nuzzled at my breast and then looked me in the eye and asked, “Are you done?”
YES! was my reply. Body, mind, spirit all in agreement on that. I had my two little ones finally after struggling through infertility.
What she said next surprised me: “Good. While I wouldn’t tell you to abort…”
Her voice trailed off, leaving me to reflect on her words.
Then she explained how much scar tissue she’d found in my stomach from C-section #1. Basically, my uterus and stomach had fused together. And there was no way to really know the impact of this second C-section on my body. So going through another pregnancy and whatever labor and delivery that entailed were definitely not something she recommended.
I appreciated my OB’s thoughtfulness and clear-headed non-advice-advice. Even in the moment of celebrating baby #2’s arrival.
And as soon as possible, I joined the 11.6 million women in the US who have an IUD. Because it’s effectiveness rate is 99.9%.
I opted for the Mirena and have had no regrets. In fact, back in 2014 when I got it “installed,” my OB told me to come back in 5 years for an upgrade.
When I did, she informed me that my new Mirena would actually last for SEVEN YEARS. Which is awesome because I’ll be menopausal by the time it’s work is done. And there’s some evidence the IUD may alleviate symptoms of menopause. Woohoo for that!
I went on with my life, raising my boys. Never giving my IUD much thought after that.
Enter Justice Thomas
There’s just this little wrinkle nowadays. As in on June 24, 2022, when Alito and the neocons on the Supreme Court overturned Roe. A truly devastating day for women across America.
Abortion is healthcare.
My OB pretty much told me NOT TO GET PREGNANT ever again. Luckily my husband and I are in agreement with her “suggestion.” But abortion is something I’d consider if that was to happen. Should I be one of the unlucky 0.1% of ladies whose IUD fails.
And then there’s this as reported by Politico (and every other media outlet in the frikkin world):
Justice Clarence Thomas argued in a concurring opinion…that the Supreme Court “should reconsider” its past rulings codifying rights to contraception access, same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage.
This means even my IUD isn’t safe. This means I’m not safe either.
I don’t know the state of my internal organs at this point. All I know is that I had 2 life-saving C-sections and that my doctor was concerned enough about what she saw to bring it up IMMEDIATELY after I gave birth.
So leave your hands off my IUD and my body. How I choose to grow or not grow my family is up to me and my spouse – and it’s steeped in medical advice from my doctor. In other words: my body, my choice. My IUD is healthcare.
How are you feeling in these post-Roe days? Share your thoughts below or on Facebook at MothersRest.
Photo credit: Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels