Hysterectomy

[Julianna]

These comments are ridiculous. It does not help the OP with her problem. You are both getting defensive of your OWN choices to have hysterectomies, which may or may not have been morally licit (I don’t know, I’m not making comment on that as it doesn’t really pertain to the conversation, which I’m pretty sure was the point that JohnCS was making). The OP asked what Catholic teaching was on the subject, she was given an answer. The two of you seem to think that the medical field’s opinion trumps Holy Mother Church, which I suppose is fine for you, but it is not OK to 1) give that advice to another making it seem as though A priest will back her up or 2) attack those that have differing opinions than you do and are giving genuine Catholic teaching. In 1ke’s case, with specific documentation. And in the case of others, simply because they are men.

Again, the OP was told Church teaching. She is a difficult position with her health and we need not add hurting her spiritual health to the mix. She may have a hysterectomy to remove the uterus if it will require extraordinary measures to save at the time of her child’s birth. She may NOT later decide that she wants to have a hysterectomy to remove the chances of having another child. I, personally, do not think that her OB would allow her to be closed up after a c-section only to, potentially months later, re-open her for a hysterectomy. Especially if she is using the same OB that she had with her last birth. So I really think the question is moot because if she has a hysterectomy it will mostly likely coincide with her c-section.

1. It is no longer necessary “to open” a woman up for a hysterectomy. Ever hear of laproscopic surgery? yeah, it’s 2010.
2. So basically, if she starts hemmoraging during her cycle or has bleeding from scar tissue…all efforts should be made to save her uterus? Risk her bleeding to death in the name of “saving” it for future children? How does that help the children she already has?

In my case my uterus was damaged due to fibriods. I certainly wouldn’t risk a pregnancy after having 2 c sections, knowing that a fibriod and my unborn child would be sharing space? Are you people for real?

You can “the Church says” until the cows come home…the “reality” is…it is a matter of conscience. We are all given the gift of discernment. Do we selfishly be a martyr for the cause or are we so obsessed with a uterus we can’t see clear to save the life of a woman and allow her to be a “mother” to her children that are already here?

Are all of you going to console her husband and her children should the unthinkable happen?

It is obvious this woman wants to do the right thing, not only for her family but her God. She came here looking for answers, compassion and perhaps ease her emotional pain.

Where is the “spirit” of the law? I think it is lost here.

 

[Jea9]

I am currently pregnant and was told that I should not get pregnant again. If i were to get pregnant I could face serious complications including death. I understand that NFP is 99.9% accurate, however I also realize that I am not 99.9% accurate. Would it be permissible for me to get a hysterectomy a the time of the birth of my child 1. If I am bleeding severely and extraordinary means would be needed to perserve my uterus, 2. if I know that I will not be strong enough to pratice NFP for the next 15 years of my life and a pregnancy could result in the need for an abortion in order to preserve my health for my current 4 children?

I was not leading anyone into mortal sin. You are very rude and yes uncharitable. She did not state that it was only for sterilization. I was trying to be comforting and share my feelings. I had to have a hysterctomy, no choice,

Yes you are so wrtong a a bit self righteous.

I’m sorry that you think I’m being uncharitable. If you see her original post, where I bolded it, that second reason she is stating for having a hysterectomy IS only for sterilization. Again, if that’s not what your intention was, then I’m sorry for assuming it. Often on these forums, people come in for advice on Church teaching and are responded to by people that think that the Church’s stance on <<insert ANY moral/social teaching>> does not apply. It’s sad to see someone POTENTIALLY being led into gravely sinful behavior because someone who does not agree with Church teaching happened to answer them.

 

[tweetymom]

1. It is no longer necessary “to open” a woman up for a hysterectomy. Ever hear of laproscopic surgery? yeah, it’s 2010.
2. So basically, if she starts hemmoraging during her cycle or has bleeding from scar tissue…all efforts should be made to save her uterus? Risk her bleeding to death in the name of “saving” it for future children? How does that help the children she already has?

In my case my uterus was damaged due to fibriods. I certainly wouldn’t risk a pregnancy after having 2 c sections, knowing that a fibriod and my unborn child would be sharing space? Are you people for real?

You can “the Church says” until the cows come home…the “reality” is…it is a matter of conscience. We are all given the gift of discernment. Do we selfishly be a martyr for the cause or are we so obsessed with a uterus we can’t see clear to save the life of a woman and allow her to be a “mother” to her children that are already here?

Are all of you going to console her husband and her children should the unthinkable happen?

It is obvious this woman wants to do the right thing, not only for her family but her God. She came here looking for answers, compassion and perhaps ease her emotional pain.

Where is the “spirit” of the law? I think it is lost here.

I really don’t get all these self righteous people. I double ditto all you have said. In my case when you are having heavy bleeding 2 weeks of the month and sick the rest, I do not give a hoot what the church says!!

 

[Jea9]

1. It is no longer necessary “to open” a woman up for a hysterectomy. Ever hear of laproscopic surgery? yeah, it’s 2010.
2. So basically, if she starts hemmoraging during her cycle or has bleeding from scar tissue…all efforts should be made to save her uterus? Risk her bleeding to death in the name of “saving” it for future children? How does that help the children she already has?

In my case my uterus was damaged due to fibriods. I certainly wouldn’t risk a pregnancy after having 2 c sections, knowing that a fibriod and my unborn child would be sharing space? Are you people for real?

You can “the Church says” until the cows come home…the “reality” is…it is a matter of conscience. We are all given the gift of discernment. Do we selfishly be a martyr for the cause or are we so obsessed with a uterus we can’t see clear to save the life of a woman and allow her to be a “mother” to her children that are already here?

Are all of you going to console her husband and her children should the unthinkable happen?

It is obvious this woman wants to do the right thing, not only for her family but her God. She came here looking for answers, compassion and perhaps ease her emotional pain.

Where is the “spirit” of the law? I think it is lost here.

Yes, it’s 2010, and I’ve worked with patients who had laparoscopic surgeries who have had severe problems afterwards. I have been in a hospital where people died after complications from a laparoscopic appendectomy. ANY time you open the body it increases the risk of infection and other problems. And yes, there are cuts in laparoscopic surgery. Your #2 argument would still fall under the category of morally licit reasons to have a hysterectomy. The OP is not being advised to suffer, bleed, and receive monthly transfusions. If, when not pregnant, she does not have any problems from her uterus (fibroids cause problems at other times, am I correct?) then it would NOT be morally licit to have a hysterectomy because it would be to avoid pregnancy which would THEN cause her problems. Since she will, potentially, be in a life threatening situation at the time of birth, all of this is moot anyway, The decision will be made then.

If you believe that moral decisions are a matter of conscience, and if your conscience goes against Church teaching, then it is not wise to advise others to do the same because you are putting them at risk for gravely sinful behavior. Do you not believe that Christ said He would be with His Church until the end of time, and that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against Her? When you reject Holy Mother Church teaching on moral issues, that is essentially what you are saying.

 

[mommamaree]

I am reposting this from the OP because I think it bears repeating. Notice the part where she states her concern that based upon previous experience, it is possible that the placenta will grow through her uterus to other internal organs? She is not, for the moment, experiencing symptoms of an extremely dangerous development like that, but there is the fear that it could happen during this very pregnancy.

Most likely, my uterus is currently causing a problem. The only problem is that we can not prove that undeniably until the time of birth. An ultrasound at 20 weeks could prove it, however, more than often it is undetectable. Any Dr. would assume this with my history. Because of the adhesions on my utrus due to 3 past c-sections, d&c’s and asherman’s syndrome the plaecenta attaches to scar tissue. Then it adheres and grows in to the wall of the uterus and potentially through it to other organs. My uterus is not causing me immediate danger. However, at the birth of this child it will. That’s not a maybe, it’s a fact, barring any miracles. In order to perserve my fertility, as mentioned before, I received 2 units of blood and a balloon along with 24 hours of morphine. The question is not will it cause harm, I will bleed and they will have to stuff me with guaze or take some other measures to stop the bleeding. The question is, at what point do I agree with the Dr. that the uterus NEEDS to come out. I think that is a very subjective question.

 

[mommamaree]

Jennifer,

If you had asked about the morality of removing a malfunction gall bladder or appendix, no one would have argued against it. But since the Catholic Church is very pro-life (which is a good thing!) sometimes questions of appropriate treatment with regards to the female reproductive tract polarizes people, and reasonable discourse becomes less possible. With such sensitive topics, it is always prudent to listen to your doctor, to get a second or third opinion if you feel the need to, and then examine the morality of this issue with your priest. Your priest is there to help you navigate such complex topics, and they are practiced at getting to the root of the matter and cutting through all the extraneous matters and emotions that come up. Avail yourself of their expertise, both your doctor and your priest. Examine the issue with the help of your husband as well. This is the life and health of his wife, after all, and I imagine he also has a lot of concerns about what this means for you and your family. Offering up another prayer for the health of your unborn baby and yourself, and for the strength and courage and peace to make such a difficult decision.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

I really don’t get all these self righteous people. I double ditto all you have said. In my case when you are having heavy bleeding 2 weeks of the month and sick the rest, I do not give a hoot what the church says!!

And the Church is perfectly fine with a hysterectomy in your case! As it appears to be in the OP’s case! Why are you being hostile to the Church? Did a priest tell you you shouldn’t have had a hysterectomy? He was clearly wrong (yeah, priests are sometimes wrong in both directions-liberal and conservative). Time to move on…

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[tweetymom]

And the Church is perfectly fine with a hysterectomy in your case! As it appears to be in the OP’s case! Why are you being hostile to the Church? Did a priest tell you you shouldn’t have had a hysterectomy? He was clearly wrong (yeah, priests are sometimes wrong in both directions-liberal and conservative). Time to move on…

In Christ,

Ellen

No it wasn’t the church It is all the self righteous people I meet. Oh by the way our Priest is fine with birth control.

 

[OraLabora]

Oh by the way our Priest is fine with birth control.

Oh my, say that here and you’re guaranteed to open a can of worms…