After disclosing that she had undergone sterilization, a lady sparked a social media debate.
TikToker Abby Ramsay, who goes by the handle @abbysworldsastage, shared pictures taken in the style of a pregnancy announcement or gender reveal on social media last February.
The 24-year-old displayed a box with the word “Congratulations” written on the side in the video, which has received 4.2 million views and 639.5K likes on the platform.
Ramsey lifted the box lid, revealing the paperwork for her sterilization procedure. “After about six years of trying, I finally found a doctor who listened,” she wrote in her overlay text. This is for everyone who did not.”
Watch Ramsey’s Sterilization TikTok below:
@abbysworldsastage I’m excited to take control of my own body. I’m not a baby maker. #childfree #childfreebychoice #sterilization #celebration
After sharing the viral video, the TikToker received a barrage of mixed comments and debates from viewers perplexed by her medical choice.
“Why tho?” one user wrote.
Another individual inquired, “What trauma did you go through that led to this?”
“It’s our job to reproduce,” a third said. It’s all part of God’s design for us. Those who can, I should add. Call me Karen, but that’s how things are meant to be.”
Meanwhile, several users praised her decision to do what is best for her health and future, with one writing: “I’m a mom & I wanna say congratulations!” You should be able to choose not to have children in the same way that I was able to choose to have children.”
“It’s ridiculous that a woman has to fight for her right not to have children,” said another. Understandably, not everyone desires children.
“I’d prefer people who don’t want children not to have them,” a third added. I’m delighted for you. “Live your life however you want.”
According to Buzzfeed, Ramsay underwent a combination procedure that included a bilateral salpingectomy, in which doctors extracted her fallopian tubes, and an endometrial ablation, in which a coating of the endometrium, also known as the tissue lining a uterus, was removed.
The woman allegedly chose this combination to reduce her chances of having an unwanted pregnancy and the comfort endometrial ablations can provide people like her who have heavy periods.
Ramsey explained why she wanted the surgery in a more extended caption on Instagram, writing, “If you know me, you know that I decided to live a child-free life since I was at least 16.” When I was 19, I resolved to look into permanent sterilization.”
She mentioned the doctors who refused to operate, including one who stated that “no one should ever get a surgery they don’t need.”
“Many of these meetings left me frustrated at best, traumatized at worst.” “I was infantilized, not heard, and not taken seriously,” she explained. “Finally, in December, I found a doctor who listened to me and even determined why I’d been in so much pain for years!”
“I know my body and what is best for me, and I want to thank my doctors for recognizing this and accommodating my needs.” “More doctors like that are needed,” she continued.
The TikToker opened the outlet about why she was upset when she discovered a doctor who supported her medicinal decision.
“I didn’t realize how badly I needed someone to listen to me for once.” “I wanted to believe I knew myself better than they did,” she told Buzzfeed.
“While I have many reasons for not wanting to get pregnant and wanting to be child-free – from genetics to fears and medical concerns – at the end of the day, ‘I don’t want to have kids’ is reason enough and should be respected,” Ramsay concluded.
