Have you, or someone you know, gotten your tubes tied (or tried)?

My doctor asked me how sure i was that I was done. I told him absolutely sure. Then he asked what my husband thought. Apparently he was not expecting me to say "he thinks if he wants more kids he will need a divorce and a girlfriend."

• Shelley

I tried in my mid-twenties and was told no. I have no intention to have children, never have, and I know I never will. I was told no because I might "meet a man and change my mind". Now, 35, huge surprise, still haven't changed my mind.

• Jamie

It drives me crazy that people have to defend this choice. I have kids and can certainly understand that it is not for everyone. I had a family member who was unable to carry a baby to term, and it was incredibly painful for her to be asked why she didn't have kids. People just need to shut it and go about their business.

• Jen

I feel like a lot of women regret it, but it's still their choice. I wanted one years ago and nobody would do it. I wound up with an unplanned pregnancy. (While on the pill) had a terrible pregnancy and delivery, got my tubes tied after delivery. My left tube is still open so I'll be having them removed in 9 days. I found out my tube was still open due to another pregnancy which I miscarried. My only regret was not getting a choice in how my procedure was done. I would have chosen cut, burn, tie. Not the filshee clips. Women deserve to have the right to choose if they want kids or not. It shouldn't be up for debate.

• Valerie

I tried when I was 30, after having 4 children. After being prepared for surgery, my doctor asked if I was sure that I did not want more children. I said yes, I was sure. He asked my ex-husband the same question. My ex-husband said that he MIGHT want more children. My doctor refused to perform the surgery. I cried so hard that [I] could barely breathe as the nurses removed my IV catheter and helped me get dressed. I now have my second IUD, because my ability to afford the procedure went with my ex-husband’s healthcare.

• Amy

After two life threatening deliveries, my doctor told me it would be best to not have any more children. I asked her if I could get my tubes tied, she said no, she would not do that. She said I am too young. But? Okay…

• Katie

I'm in St Louis and I had my tubes tied at 30. I had been on the pill for 12 years, and I knew I never wanted children. All my Dr asked was if I knew it couldn't be reversed. I said I knew, and she said ok. Month or so later, I had the operation. I am 51 now, and have never regretted it.

• Sue

It was my 35th birthday present to myself! I had to go to the secular hospital and have a non-catholic affiliated surgeon do it (not the surgeon doing hernia repair on me the same day).

• Charissa

I did, at age 28, after my third child. I still had to have my husband's consent, and was warned against it by my doc, despite me having progressively worse pre-eclampsia with each pregnancy- I nearly had a stroke with my last one.

• Joy