c-section and sterilization Question

[3291lindsay]

I have just had my request for a sterilization during my 3rd c-section refused by my Primary Care Trust. Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, did you appeal and how long did the appeal process take? Getting really stressed as i thought this was all sorted, now everything is up in the air and it is only 9 weeks till my c-section. My consultant, doctor and midwife never mentioned the request for a sterilization as more than a formality. Had really bad reactions to the hormone pill/injections and implant after my 2nd son and am really worried about going back on the pill. DH has offered to have the snip but thought it would be a lot easier and quicker (heard of a long waiting list for vasectomy) to be sterilized during my c-section.

 

[charlotte_]

out of interest - why did they refuse you?

 

[3291lindsay]

On the letter was a check list and basically they have refused because I'm not over 35 (I'm almost 33), I don't have 4 children (this will be my third), there are no contraindications to further pregnancy (don't know what that means!) and that I don't have an intolerance to all other methods of contraception (apart from the fact that the hormones in all form of the pill made me very ill over 3 years!). I don't now if i have to tick all 4 or just a couple but i think it is really bad as they will be performing a c-section anyway so it won't cost that much more. It does anger me that they are basically telling me how to manage my body. It's not as if I made this decision lightly, I just cannot go through being so ill again, it is really making me stress out!!

 

[aramintalovegrove]

Not the same situation but maybe my expierience might help a bit to see what other PCTs are like?

I begged to be done IF I needed a C section (I didnt in th end but my thoughts were whilst they are in there...) But my hospital wont do sterilisation until after your uterus has well and truly shrank as there has been research into the fact that until that stage any sterilisation may not be successful. I thought this was fair enough and have been booked in for the op in March instead when DD will be 5 months and I should be back to normal.

I found I had to beg to get a referral though. Family planning refused my request three times for a referral saying they wouldnt agree to a referral until after DD was 1yo as if she died I would want another child

So I went to my GP and after listening to me she put the referal in, I am 30 with 2 kids so I wouldnt fit your PCT requirements. When I went for my pre op assessment the consultant nurse weighed me blood pressure and a chat about why I wanted it and then got a big diary out and hurled out some dates for me to choose from to have my op, TBH the way she did it I think the referal process is much harder to get than the 2nd stage preop stuff.

'No contraindications to further pregnancy' means that you or the baby are not at risk if you were to have another child. You say you dont want to be ill again and that was a big push for my doctors referal but I also explained about my conscerns about my mental health if I were to have any more (DH had had a vasectomy before I got pregnant with DD, and to say my last pregnancy was a shock is an understatement )

I find it quite offensive that they think you need to be a certain age or have a certain amount of kids or tick their little boxes so I hope you fight it!! I would be inclined to wait till after the C section and request again at your post natel check (thats when I got the referal in the end) but then being burnt once with faulty sterilisation Im a bit cautious when it comes to statistics on the success rate

hope that helps a little Good luck

 

[3291lindsay]

Thanks for your advice . I have calmed myself down now!! I saw my doctor this morning and he was very surprised (to say the least) that this request had been rejected. He dictated a strongly worded repsonse to appeal their decision. I will just have to wait and see, fingers crossed. I think i jumped into panic mode as, in my head, it was all but a formality to get approval and now there is uncertainty. I did want it doing at the c-section as it would only be one op and one recovery period. If it can't be done DH will have to go for the vasectomty as his recovery would be much quicker than mine if done after the c-section!
Feel a little better now...

 

[aramintalovegrove]

Glad your feeling better hun great your GP is on your side

 

[lauramumof2]

On the letter was a check list and basically they have refused because I'm not over 35 (I'm almost 33), I don't have 4 children (this will be my third), there are no contraindications to further pregnancy (don't know what that means!) and that I don't have an intolerance to all other methods of contraception (apart from the fact that the hormones in all form of the pill made me very ill over 3 years!). I don't now if i have to tick all 4 or just a couple but i think it is really bad as they will be performing a c-section anyway so it won't cost that much more. It does anger me that they are basically telling me how to manage my body. It's not as if I made this decision lightly, I just cannot go through being so ill again, it is really making me stress out!!

I got the okay for sterilisation when I was only 30. It didnt happen though due to an unexpected pregnancy which ended in mc. DH went for the snip and it was 8 months before he got the op. And I only had two kids.

I would ask for a second opinion, its really your decision.

 

[mumtotwo]

Hi, I could be wrong about this but I think it's thought to be less successful if you have it done during your section - it might be worth asking about this just to be sure x