21-year-old mum of 6 says doctors sterilised her without consent

katerpillar · November 5th, 2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Mum claims no consent given for sterilisation

A Cairns mother-of-six claims she had her tubes tied against her wishes, after the hospital warned a further pregnancy could be life threatening.

Jessica Smith, 21, had her tubes tied while delivering her sixth child by caesarean section, but she claims she did not consent to the procedure.

But Cairns Base Hospital director of obstetrics and gynaecology Dr Paul Howat said Ms Smith signed consent forms for both procedures and verbally agreed to them.

Ms Smith said that while she remembered signing two forms, she never wanted to have her tubes tied, despite the risks.

"Before the operation, I said 'no' to the doctors so many times, even my five-year-old would have understood," Ms Smith said.

"My partner was in the room, he heard me say I didn't want it done and he told them I didn't want it done.

"I was in a vulnerable state and as far as I understand they took advantage of that and treated me like I was unable to make the decision by myself."

Ms Smith said that after her third child when she was 17, she had considered bilateral tubal ligation, but doctors had not wanted to carry out the procedure because she was underage.

But since then, she had changed her mind.

"I talked it over with my partner of seven years and we were worried because once your tubes are cut and tied you can't reverse it," she said.

"We decided that while we may not want any more babies right now, we might want to have another one 10 years down the track."

Ms Smith has had seven pregnancies since she was 15 and given birth to six children by caesarean section.

"None of my kids have been planned, but I'm not going to deny them the chance of being alive," she said.

Dr Howat said Ms Smith was told during an antenatal examination that her uterus was extremely thin, almost to the point of rupture, because of her previous five caesarean births.

"She was advised that a further pregnancy after the current one could be life threatening for her," he said.

Dr Howat said Ms Smith had signed the consent forms for a caesarean operation and the bilateral tubal ligation on August 10 following this advice.

He said that immediately before the caesarean section, as part of a pre-operation patient safety checking process, Ms Smith was again told she would also be having a tubal ligation, and asked her if that was correct.

"The patient agreed and raised no objection to this procedure at this final opportunity to say no," he said.

Mum claims no consent given for sterilisation | The Courier-Mail

How do I put this delicately? Um... good.

Quazar · November 5th, 2009, 09:53 AM

She has my consent.

crumpet · November 5th, 2009, 10:04 AM

Well, oooopsie!

McJag · November 5th, 2009, 10:08 AM

Such a pity. Give that doctor a gold star!

Laxmobster · November 5th, 2009, 10:10 AM

^Agreed!

Mivvi21 · November 5th, 2009, 10:38 AM

That doctor did her breeder ass a favor. She should be thanking him.

greysfang · November 5th, 2009, 10:54 AM

As much as I agree that she's probably had enough kids...no one else gets to decide that for you. If this story is true, that doctor need to be brought up on assault and battery charges.

*DIVA! · November 5th, 2009, 11:05 AM

I wish more doctors were like this!

Sarzy · November 5th, 2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greysfang

As much as I agree that she's probably had enough kids...no one else gets to decide that for you. If this story is true, that doctor need to be brought up on assault and battery charges.

I'm with you on this.

DeChayz · November 5th, 2009, 11:52 AM

Well, if they can produce those consent forms she signed, end of story. Frankly, the good doctor did the world a favor. Where can we sign up Paris Hilton?

Trixie · November 5th, 2009, 11:52 AM

I agree...her body, her choice. Like it or not, she shouldn't be forced into sterilization, regardless of the health risks and anyone else's opinion.

msdeb · November 5th, 2009, 12:00 PM

i believe she's self centered. they tell her having another child could kill her, but she would rather put her life at risk? rather leave the rest of her litter of kids without a mom?

MontanaMama · November 5th, 2009, 12:02 PM

If she signed the forms, she signed the forms, enough said. Perhaps her partner of 7 years (who is apparently too busy to get married or find a condom) did not consent - y'alls knows how poizzessive some boyz can be over dayr womaynez lady partz - and she's objecting to cover her ass (or vag)

McJag · November 5th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Here again:
Dr Howat said Ms Smith was told during an antenatal examination that her uterus was extremely thin, almost to the point of rupture, because of her previous five caesarean births.

"She was advised that a further pregnancy after the current one could be life threatening for her," he said.

Dr Howat said Ms Smith had signed the consent forms for a caesarean operation and the bilateral tubal ligation on August 10 following this advice.

He said that immediately before the caesarean section, as part of a pre-operation patient safety checking process, Ms Smith was again told she would also be having a tubal ligation, and asked her if that was correct.

"The patient agreed and raised no objection to this procedure at this final opportunity to say no," he said.

She just changed her mind,after the fact. If you've ever had surgery,you know they bore you endlessly about consent-to ward off law suits. She gave permission-he sure as hell wouldn't risk his whole career for this dumb bell.

greysfang · November 5th, 2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontanaMama

If she signed the forms, she signed the forms, enough said.

Not true. In most instances you cannot legally sign a document of that sort when you are drugged or out of it for other reasons. Well you can sign it, but its not binding. If she can show she was incapacitated at the time, the documents are null and void.