Thoughts on tubal ligation

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3boyzmom

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I am scheduled to have one ovary removed in about a week, due to a mass on the ovary. My doctor has suggested a tubal ligation at the same time. I am 46 years old…it is tempting, because I definately do not plan on having any more children. I know that tubal ligation is considered artificial birth control, and therefore immoral. At age 46, though, the risk of birth defects if one were to conceive is markedly increased. And I’m not planning on any more children. At first I thought “yes, I’ll do it.” Now I’m having second thoughts, though, and will most likely say no to the t.l. It would make things so much easier, and on the one hand it makes good sense. At the same time, I don’t want to do something that I will feel guilty about forever. I welcome any thoughts.
 
Have the ovary removed. But don’t get the tubal ligation unless you have medical reasons and permission from your priest.
 
Why, when already so close to the end of your fertile years, would you want to go against Church teachings on this matter? You’re almost at the finish line! Endure until the end!

The life that flows from your fertility isn’t limited to new life–you also set the example for your existing children by following the Church’s moral teachings on sexuality. Give your existing children the gift of a mother who follows the Church, and God may give you the gift of children who follow the Church. If you take what appears to be the easy road here, and your existing children may end up taking a harder road because of it.
 
I was not taught the Church’s position on ABC and it was not until much later that I understood it. I did have a tl under trying circumstances, tho and FWIT wish I had not. :twocents:
 
You wouldn’t have posted your question here but for one reason – you know that a tubal ligation would be wrong.

Most of the time, moral choices aren’t complicated; we know what the Church teaches, we know what’s right and what’s not.

That’s not to say that these choices are always easy; the moral road isn’t always the nice straight, downhill path. But the moral road isn’t hard to see here – although it may be the harder road to walk.

What’s going on here is that you are being tempted to sin. It’s attractive. (Of course it’s attractive! That’s the whole point about temptation to sin…) But you know what it is – that’s why you came here for support.

I will pray for you, as I’m sure many others here will, as well – pray that you stay strong in your faith, and that God give you a road that you can walk.
 
Of course you are right. Thanks for the kick in the pants! I would not have been entertaining the thought, except that the doctor brought it up and offered it “as long as he’s in there anyway.” To be brutally honest- I personally don’t really have an aversion to it- but the question at hand is not what I think, but rather a matter of trusting the church. I was swayed a little because the issue of “you might change your mind later about kids” is not an issue, at my age. But, I know that my conscience would trouble me afterward, and there’s a reason for that. So I will make the decision that I can live comfortably with. Thanks again!
 
Between your age (not old you’re younger then me;)) and only one ovary, your chances of getting pregnant again are very slim at best. Relax and just say thanks but no thanks! Just keep practicing NFP for a few more years. Best wishes and Prayers for you for a safe surgery and rapid recoverery. Kay
 
Hi 3boyzmom,
I’m sorry you are being given such horrible advice by your doctor. I can totally understand how it might seem tempting given your current situation. I am glad you are now leaning away from it. I would like to give you a little more info that might keep you securely in The Church’s camp.

A tubal ligation carries with it more risks than benefits. If you have time, please read up on tubals here. www.ccli.org Off the top of my head, it increases your risk of cancer. In the rare chance that you did conceive you would be at a higher risk for ectopic pregnancy. Also you would run the risk of hormonal imbalances and immune disorders since what few eggs you might still be releasing have no natural outlet. I will concede that it takes a lot longer in a woman since we only release eggs once a month and in this case menopause will probably happen before you would develop Tubal ligation Syndrome. (In a man immune disorders can happen very fast after vasectomy since they continually produce sperm that if released have no natural outlet.)

I don’t mean to use scare tactics but understanding this has helped me understand the deeper moral issue. I have discovered that most things The Church says are bad for us morally, are also bad for us physically. The seven deadly sins have very bad phsical side effects.

May God be with you in this journey and may He shower you with blessings for submitting to His infinite knowledge.
 
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Toni:
Have the ovary removed. But don’t get the tubal ligation unless you have medical reasons and permission from your priest.
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Just to clarify the Church’s teaching: 1) there is no existing “medical reason” for direct sterilization (other than as a means of ABC), 2) getting “permission” from your priest to perform an immoral act does not make the act suddenly moral or less immoral.
 
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kaymart:
Between your age (not old you’re younger then me;)) and only one ovary, your chances of getting pregnant again are very slim at best. Relax and just say thanks but no thanks! Just keep practicing NFP for a few more years. Best wishes and Prayers for you for a safe surgery and rapid recoverery. Kay
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Just a little aside. Your chances of getting pregnant don’t change, once you have have one ovary.

The remaining ovary kicks in and takes over for the missing one. You will still release an egg every month. If you are using NFP, keep charting for every month.
 
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maryjk:
Just a little aside. Your chances of getting pregnant don’t change, once you have have one ovary.

The remaining ovary kicks in and takes over for the missing one. You will still release an egg every month. If you are using NFP, keep charting for every month.
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:o I’m sorry, not my intention to mislead. I honestly thought this was true, I’m sorry.:o
 
I have also been told that the tubal GREATLY increases you risk of needing a full hysterectomy later on. There are many negative side effects.
 
kaymart said:
:o I’m sorry, not my intention to mislead. I honestly thought this was true, I’m sorry.:o
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Don’t worry about it. 👍

Another fact you can WOW your friends with, your ovary isn’t attached to the tube. AND eggs can travel from one ovary to the other tube. Like from the left ovary to the right tube.

I only know this because God blocked my left tube and the doctor took out my right ovary. So I have a left ovary and a right tube and a son. :yup:

3boyzmom
I think you know what you should do. And all of your friends here are behind you. Let the doctor know that just removing the ovary will do it for you. Why do the other when it can cause all of these problems for you and go against God.
 
Thanks everyone. My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 13. I will only be having the ovary removed, tubes will remain intact. I feel good about the decision. I appreciate the straight talk!
 
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3boyzmom:
Thanks everyone. My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 13. I will only be having the ovary removed, tubes will remain intact. I feel good about the decision. I appreciate the straight talk!
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God will abundantly bless your marriage for honestly seeking and choosing to do what is honoring to Him.
 
You got alot of well intentioned advice here, but pregnancy is still possible without the tubal. I hope you are ready both mentally and physically for that possibility.
 
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mikew262:
You got alot of well intentioned advice here, but pregnancy is still possible without the tubal. I hope you are ready both mentally and physically for that possibility.
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Pregnancy is also still possible with a tubal ligation:

“In the first year following the procedure [tubal ligation], your chance of becoming pregnant is less than 1 percent. Over time, the ends of your fallopian tubes could fuse back together and make it possible to become pregnant. This is more likely to occur in women who have the surgery performed early in their reproductive years.”

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/WO/00047.html
 
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