After my third C-section, I made the decision to undergo a tubal ligation. Let’s be honest—I’m not exactly the youngest mom on the block, and after three successful pregnancies that brought three healthy kids into the world, the thought of expanding our family to six felt utterly overwhelming. In fact, just the idea of a fourth child sent me into a cold sweat. Three is a perfect number, lucky number three.
You’d think that after choosing elective sterilization, life would be a breeze. However, a couple of hurdles stood in my way: a) I now had three energetic kids, and b) my period decided to stick around for 21 days a month. After months of feeling like I was bleeding out, I finally secured an appointment with my highly sought-after gynecologist. I arranged for a babysitter, stocked up on an arsenal of maxi pads and iron supplements, and eagerly awaited my appointment.
As I stood by the door, anxiously checking my watch for the babysitter’s arrival, I started to panic when she was running late. When I called and got sent to voicemail, I thought, “No way am I missing this appointment!” As I felt my stockpile of “period underwear” increasing, I knew I had to make a tough call. “Alright, kids, put on your shoes. We’re going to the doctor!”
“Do you have to get shots? I hate shots!” my eldest said as I strapped him into his car seat.
“No shots today,” I replied, trying to suppress the images of my upcoming exam.
Upon checking in, I could feel the judgmental stares from other patients. “Yes, I’m that mom,” I thought, “the one who’s brought her three kids to the gynecologist.” I considered responding with something cheeky like, “We homeschool; this is biology class,” but decided against it. They were right; it was a pretty crazy situation.
Once we were in the examination room, anxiety hit me hard. What on earth was I thinking, bringing the kids here? I could manage the blood flowing like a river from my body for another month. Just as I contemplated leaving, I noticed my youngest was peacefully asleep while the older two were absorbed in their electronics. “Wow,” I thought, “they’re not even phased.”
I quickly changed into the paper gown, climbed onto the examination table, and waited for my doctor, all the while thanking the tech gods for the wonders of modern devices. The exam commenced, and surprisingly, I almost forgot my kids were there. My focus shifted entirely to the discomfort of the procedure. Suddenly, I heard the unmistakable sound of my camera phone snapping photos.
“What the heck?” I thought as I opened my eyes to see my four-year-old standing behind my doctor, taking pictures of my most vulnerable moment.
“Um, sweetheart,” I said cautiously, “what are you doing?” I had to tread carefully. My son might as well have been armed with a loaded camera.
“I’m taking pictures for Daddy!” he chirped, completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
“Can I have my phone, please?” I asked, trying to remain calm.
“Okay, I’m done!” he replied, but my heart sank. “Done” could mean anything. I envisioned my private moments plastered all over social media. What if my grandmother saw this? I felt like the world’s most embarrassed mom.
When he finally handed me the phone, I held my breath. To my relief, there were 43 consecutive selfies taken from the wrong angle, showcasing only his adorable face, not my vulnerability.
So, if you find yourself in the predicament of taking your kids to the last place you want to be, just remember, it might not be as bad as you fear—especially if you have an iPhone set to airplane mode.
If you’re curious about parenting and other relatable stories, check out this post on Modern Family Blog for more insights. And if you’re considering home insemination options, CryoBaby offers reputable kits for your needs. For further information on fertility and related topics, this resource on female infertility is excellent.
In summary, while unexpected challenges can arise, like taking your kids to the gynecologist, sometimes the situation can turn out better than anticipated—especially with a little tech help.
Leave a Reply