No
2017 01 22 | journal
I did not march yesterday. I won't make any overt excuses, but will just say that it wasn't really in the cards for me for a couple of reasons. That said, I'm with you girls (and guys) who did go, who could go. I've got a pussy hat (in green!) on the way, and here is my tiny contribution to the cause.
I'm going to tell you that you have a choice, and that there are people out there who will listen to you, take you seriously, help you, and not get in your way.
I long ago made a reproductive choice about me, my body, my life. I didn't want children. Ever. This is not news to some of you. Some of the reasons why I didn't aren't ones I'm going to share, because I'm not out to overtly offend or hurt anyone, and some of my opinions definitely would. I was not ever, am not now, and don't see myself ever being maternal in that way. I've got no interest in, and no compulsion for it. I never wanted to be pregnant, or raise a child. It's also unfair, in the gross extreme, to gamble with a third person's life for any reason, so I wasn't going to leave myself in a position to have that happen. I knew this from a young age, but it wasn't until I was in my 20s that I found a way to properly articulate it and make it happen.
When I was 24 I started asking my family doctor about being rendered incapable of becoming pregnant. He, rightly, talked me out of it. Although I knew I was right, 24 is a young age to make sure finite decision that is difficult to come back from. So I was not offended by his refusal, nor angry. Four years later, after asking him about it every time I saw him, he sent me off to the gyno-surgeon. He said, "You've been asking me about this long enough that I know you're serious." Off I went. (Incidentally; my GP is a male Muslim, who did not let his religion get in the way of my care and my choices, which is why I still go to him.)
I had what is commonly called a lap-tubal - they put two tiny incisions in your body (one in the navel, and one just below where the pubic hairline starts), and insert two clips that clamp off the falopian tubes. These tubes prevent eggs from dropping down to where they could be fertilised, and the scar tissue that builds up around the clips helps to further block the area.
Some women, you see, just aren't cut out to be mothers, know that, and take steps towards preventing it, that don't involve jamming artificial hormones into their bodies every month. And it's okay, you know, to choose to remain childfree. There's nothing wrong with you, nor that choice. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Choose yes. Choose no. Just make sure your choice is your choice, and not one that's being forced on you nor that you're forcing on another. Demand to keep your right to choose. Fight for it.