sterilization (of the wanted kind)

[BlaqueKatt]

If I ever REALLY want to have a kid, I can adopt. There are craploads of kids out there who could use a good family and because everyone wants babies because they think they are special for some reason, the older kids get passed up on.

Internet hug-thank you!!!!!

People look at me like I'm crazy when I say this exact thing-think about it, no diaper changes, no 2am feedings-no potty training-you get to not have the really sucky parts of early parenting........everyone wants a baby-then they complain about the lack of sleep, cost of diapers etc.

[MadMike]

Ay, but here's the rub, are doctors equally relunctant to do vasectomies?

From what I've heard and seen, no.

After a pregnancy scare last year with the wife (in which she was upset that I was upset and not thrilled, btw), she told me that if I really didn't want to have any kids with her, I should get snipped, because there was no way any doctor would fix her, since she never had any kids of her own.

My first visit was a consultation, where I met with the doctor, and he made sure that I was certain I didn't want any kids, and he pointed out that while the procedure was considered "reversible", in some cases it was not. Once I told him I understood and was sure, he scheduled the operation.

It wasn't as painless as I would have liked, but it wasn't that bad, and I'm a big wimp when it comes to pain. It was over with in about 20 minutes. I think the worst part was having to spend the rest of the day on the couch with ice "down there", because I'm kind of restless, and don't like being in one place for two long.

Guys, if you're certain you don't want kids, it is totally worth it, especially if you have insurance that will cover the whole thing. If you don't, the actual cost in my case was about $600. It sounds like a lot of money, but it's a lot less than having to raise a kid until adulthood.

[anriana]

Guys, if you're certain you don't want kids, it is totally worth it, especially if you have insurance that will cover the whole thing. If you don't, the actual cost in my case was about $600. It sounds like a lot of money, but it's a lot less than having to raise a kid until adulthood.

And less than the cost of condoms over the course of a lifetime, if you use those.

Almost definitely less than half the cost of oral contraceptives over a lifetime, too.

[Slytovhand]

And less than the cost of condoms over the course of a lifetime, if you use those.

Almost definitely less than half the cost of oral contraceptives over a lifetime, too.

Ah.. you don't need contraceptives for oral, only for....oh, sorry, I get you now...

Unless you're with a permanent partner, you should probably still be using condoms anyway. And, given the topic of conversation, I'd say it's those single people who will have the most amount of grief given by doctors to perform the operation. I'd imagine that if you're in a permanent relationship, the doctors won't have as much of an issue with the subject, as both adults are agreeing with the procedure, and both saying they don't want kids.

Just throwing a question here... what's the price of those shots/injections then? I know there's a male contraceptive that sticks in your arm and lasts about 5 years, and there's the depo shots for..??

[Lace Neil Singer]

I get my pills for free; do you have to pay for them in America, then? O_o

You can get bog standard condoms free at the doctor's or family planning clinic; but the good ones, ie ribbed and dotted, you do have to pay for. XD

[BlaqueKatt]

I get my pills for free; do you have to pay for them in America, then? O_o

if insurance doesn't cover(many don't) or you don't have insurance-yes depending on brand/type usually around $50-$80 per month

[Greenday]

if insurance doesn't cover(many don't) or you don't have insurance-yes depending on brand/type usually around $50-$80 per month

That's if your state isn't trying to ban it like a couple of them are...

[AdminAssistant]

Sometimes you can get birth control for free through health clinics (in the US). Mine, without insurance, is only $26; with insurance, it's $16 (that's per month). It all depends on the brand and if you can get your gyno to prescribe one that has a generic (mine is generic).

What states are trying to ban birth control? That's the first I've heard of that.

[Greenday]

A quick google search showed Wisconsin as a state making it harder and harder to get birth control. Laws making birth control cheap for college students were repealed and prices have drastically gone up, as if college students have all the money in the world.

[Amethyst Hunter]

A quick google search showed Wisconsin as a state making it harder and harder to get birth control. Laws making birth control cheap for college students were repealed and prices have drastically gone up, as if college students have all the money in the world.

And who do we have to thank for things like that? Yep, our wonderful little fundamentalist nutjobs who think birth control is soooooo evil. I guess they'd rather people hit up the nearest abortion clinic rather than actually do something constructive to help prevent unwanted pregnancies. But then again, it's probably much more fun for them to stand outside clinics and wave their stupid little signs and harass women rather than actually help them. (And throwing a few diapers and cans of formula at them doesn't count for shit.)

Oh yes, and let's not forget that horrid little Amendment 48 out in Colorado that was thankfully defeated - that little nugget of joy would've likely criminalized *birth control* by granting embryos full personhood rights!

(Yes, I'm pissed off today.)

[anriana]

What states are trying to ban birth control? That's the first I've heard of that.

Other than the CO prop I haven't heard of any states try and outright ban the pill, but there are several pro-life organizations that think it prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg and is therefore an abortifacient.

http://thepillkills.com/how.html

Their pipe dream is overturning Griswold vs. CT. (The Supreme Court Case that legalized the pill via the right to privacy in the US)

The org that set up the CO prop is also dedicated to getting similar props on ballots wherever they can.

I don't personally take the pill and will probably never use it as a contraceptive, but I find these organizations scary as hell. If they actually succeed, I'm sure they'll go after every forms of contraceptives as well. I'm also sure that they'll ban ALL uses of the pill because a woman has the potential to conceive while on it, and from there it's only a short step to all of us being legally "pre-pregnant" at all times.


Slyv - that's a good point and I didn't consider it as the only partner I've currently had was long-term and we use condoms solely as contraceptives.

[blas87]

Does anyone know the starting age to be eligible for that Essure thing?

[Amethyst Hunter]

Does anyone know the starting age to be eligible for that Essure thing?

I don't think there is any set age at which you're considered eligible; like other options (i.e., tubals) you're about as likely to encounter the same struggles in obtaining it as anything else. (Then again, YMMV - I've read accounts from people as young as 22 who were able to get sterilized with minimal fuss, though from my observation it's generally easier to get the older that you are, and even then it can be an uphill battle)

Essure is actually considered by many to be better than tubals, if only because it doesn't involve opening you up like a sardine can the way a tubal might (not saying that this is what a tubal is, but the less invasive the better), and it can be done in the doc's office as opposed to scheduling surgery. But lots of women who've had tubals are quite happy with them, so it all depends on what option works best for you.

Edit to add: The main problem women report with Essure is having a coil or two expel itself (somewhat common; the doc then tries again to replace it), or having problems with placing the coils in the first place (cervix too small, things like that). Again, YMMV. Other than that Essure has a high success/satisfaction rating as a sterilization method.

[Slytovhand]

A quick google search showed Wisconsin as a state making it harder and harder to get birth control. Laws making birth control cheap for college students were repealed and prices have drastically gone up, as if college students have all the money in the world.

So... what's the problem here?? All college students are too busy studying hard for their degree to be out socialising, or having sex! So it doesn't really matter.

[Greenday]

So... what's the problem here?? All college students are too busy studying hard for their degree to be out socialising, or having sex! So it doesn't really matter.

Yes, cause come Thursday night and I get to the library, it's so packed in there