A Queensland mum is fighting for the right to control her body after her request for a tubal ligation was refused.
Holly Maitland, 22, is wanting to undergo the medical procedure to stop her having children as she has had three unplanned pregnancies in the last few years.
Image source Holly with her children, Tyler 1 and Bethany 2
But medical professionals, both public and private, have refused to give Ms Maitland the procedure, despite having the full support of their family GP.
Ms Maitland’s husband, Jonathon, has also been denied a vasectomy due to his age. He is currently 30.
The couple are now 27 weeks pregnant with their third child, and Ms Maitland has started an online petition urging Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to allow women to make their own decisions about their health.
Ms Maitland told News.com, “We don’t want to risk another failed contraception because we’ve obviously already had three,” she said.
“It’s not a decision we’ve just come up with … I’ve sat down and gone through the pros and cons, I know that in 10 years’ time I can’t walk into the doctor’s office and say ‘I want my tubes untied’.”
Ms Maitland has had health issues during her pregnancies including gestational diabetes and complicated labours.
Ms Maitland admits that she and her husband have found it hard to find a contraception that works for them. They fell pregnant with their first child in the first four months of their relationship. It’s been a struggle since to find effective contraception, hence why both want to have procedures that will stop them from having more children.
“We’ve now got to find a bigger car to fit three seats in it, then there’s the house,” she said. “We’re currently living with my in-laws at the moment for the simple reason we have to find a bigger house.
“It’s too much on my body as well.”
A specialist obstetrician met with Ms Maitland last week to discuss alternative contraception methods that were less invasive than a tubal ligation.
Dr Samantha Scherman, the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service obstetrics and gynaecology clinical director said, “It is very unusual to conduct a tubal ligation on a 22-year-old as there is significant evidence through many studies that there is an extremely high likelihood the decision will be regretted in the future.”
“Reversing tubal ligation requires reconnecting the fallopian tubes and success is not guaranteed.
“Tubal ligation is considered to be a permanent procedure.”
Ms Maitland is not happy with the health advice she has been given and will continue to contact state ministers about her campaign which includes a Facebook page and online petition.
“I started it thinking it’s not going to go far, but if it helps at least one person out I’ll be happy,” she said.
“I may be only 22 but I’m not stupid, it’s wrong.”
Its her body and her choice. There is so much more to this than basing a decision on someones age. 3 children require so much. Cost so much. And she is quite obviously aware of this and is making a mature responsible decision. I will sign her petition.
I to have been I am to young to have mine tied at age 32. I feel it is wrong how our basic right has been taken away. I will sign the petition.
Of course she is ready. She has three kids. Her body. How dare you!!
If she goes private she’ll probably find someone willing