D & C/Partial hysterectomy

[MerryHeart]

I had my fifth child six weeks ago. I was bleeding moderately up until about ten days ago when I started passing ping pong size clots. Bleeding has been very heavy for three days now. I am going to watch things and see the dr next week if no change. I dread it because I know that there are two options. D & C that MIGHT work and partial hysterectomy that will definitely work. Both of which is surgery taking me away from my babies.

My question is, am I free to choose the sure option of the partial hysterectomy over the D&C that might not work and could end with a partial hysterectomy anyhow? As a Catholic, must I only allow the removal of my fertility if all other options have been exhausted. I am not using it as a run around church law to obtain permanent contraception. I am fine with the five we have but I would be willing if God saw fit to give us more. I would just rather be away from my kids once rather than possibly twice. I just don’t want to do that if it has bearing on my soul. Thoughts?

 

[VivienneJ]

Merry Heart, congratulations on your new baby!

I don’t have links to church teaching (and I should really be in bed asleep) I’m sure there are others who will chime in, but I do just want to say that a hysterectomy, partial or full, that is done totally for medical reasons is perfectly allowable in the Catholic Church.

As far as medical advice goes, we can’t give that, but your doctor will.

 

[gardenswithkids]

Congratulations on your newest baby. And prayers for you and your health.

I don’t know of any moral rules that say we must try doing everything possible to preserve fertility when faced with such situations as you describe. I would suggest that you discuss this with your husband, a good priest and your doctor.

If you are leaning towards a partial hysterectomy simply because you lack child-care and help for you children during the time when you are in the hospital and fear you may require a second treatment, maybe someone at your parish or friends may be able to help you.

 

[MerryHeart]

Thanks for your responses! Yes, I know my dr is going to be quick to push the hysterectomy option. He’s already tried to justify it with irregular periods which I don’t have. It’s not just the childcare that worries me. I just hate being away from them. I hate my husband having to take off of work. I hate the recovery and time not being able to do all that needs to be done for a family our size. I hate the toll on my body from the surgeries. I’ve looked through some other posts and it seems to be the consensus that as long as the purpose of the hysterectomy is not solely sterilization, then there is no mortal sin. Gonna see what my dr says and then discuss with my priest if I am still uneasy.

 

[Listener]

I had a hysterectomy years ago, and I was shocked to find how easy it was, and that was over 30 years ago. When I had my children, I felt that I had been to hell and back. It was kind of like being run over by a train.

When I had my hysterectomy, my children were with family members so I could recover. I felt that I could have taken care of them, although I wasn’t supposed to lift anything. I remember some pain right after I woke up from the surgery, but it was nothing compared to the pain of having a baby.

The Church has always said that it was okay to have a hysterectomy if your doctor recommends it. If the doctor was just interested in birth control, wouldn’t he have suggested a tubal ligation?

Of course, everyone responds to surgery differently, and sometimes things don’t go well. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[thewanderer]

I had a hysterectomy years ago, and I was shocked to find how easy it was, and that was over 30 years ago. When I had my children, I felt that I had been to hell and back. It was kind of like being run over by a train.

When I had my hysterectomy, my children were with family members so I could recover. I felt that I could have taken care of them, although I wasn’t supposed to lift anything. I remember some pain right after I woke up from the surgery, but it was nothing compared to the pain of having a baby.

The Church has always said that it was okay to have a hysterectomy if your doctor recommends it. If the doctor was just interested in birth control, wouldn’t he have suggested a tubal ligation?

Of course, everyone responds to surgery differently, and sometimes things don’t go well. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I have to correct this, it is only ok if it is being recommended for medical reasons, not if it is being recommended for contraceptive reasons. In the OP’s case it is being recomended for medical reasons and so would not be sinful. But it is a big decision for the OP to make, whether to risk two surgeries or just take the one that will definitely work, but which will leave her sterile. OP, If you don’t trust your doctor (one of your posts makes it sound as though you think he is pushing the hysterectomy unnecessarily) then I would go get another professional opinion from someone you do trust, but know that if the hysterectomy is for a legitimate medical condition it is moral and not sinful. I will say a prayer for you that you discernment and treatment go well.

 

[Listener]

I have to correct this, it is only ok if it is being recommended for medical reasons, not if it is being recommended for contraceptive reasons. In the OP’s case it is being recomended for medical reasons and so would not be sinful. But it is a big decision for the OP to make, whether to risk two surgeries or just take the one that will definitely work, but which will leave her sterile. OP, If you don’t trust your doctor (one of your posts makes it sound as though you think he is pushing the hysterectomy unnecessarily) then I would go get another professional opinion from someone you do trust, but know that if the hysterectomy is for a legitimate medical condition it is moral and not sinful. I will say a prayer for you that you discernment and treatment go well.

I have never heard of a doctor who would recommend a hysterectomy for birth control. I would think it would be unethical. Has anyone else heard of this?

 

[thewanderer]

I have never heard of a doctor who would recommend a hysterectomy for birth control. I would think it would be unethical. Has anyone else heard of this?

I have no idea whether or not they would. I was just trying to clarify what Church teaching on this matter is.

 

[LittleRose]

My question is, am I free to choose the sure option of the partial hysterectomy over the D&C that might not work and could end with a partial hysterectomy anyhow? As a Catholic, must I only allow the removal of my fertility if all other options have been exhausted.

You are not morally prohibited from getting the partial hysterectomy, but for the sake of your health, and since preserving your fertility would be y our preference if it is possible, I strongly recommend getting a second opinion before you make a decision. If possible, get it from a doctor trained in NaPro Technology before you allow a regular OB/GYN to start removing pieces from your body. I’ve been seeing a NaPro Doc for awhile now, and it’s like night and day. She knows so much more than her colleagues with standard training. I will NEVER allow a regular OBGYN to touch me again as long as I have the choice and someone like her is available.

Here are some links with info.

fertilitycare.org
naprotechnology.com