22-year-old woman says doctor refused to sterilize her, sparks debate: 'I just don't want kids'

A 22-year-old woman said her gynecologist refused to sterilize her despite requesting her to do so, sparking debate on medical freedom. Olivia is very sure of not wanting children but the gynecologist simply refused to carry out her request claiming she still hasn't met the right man yet. Olivia shared her story on TikTok where it went viral highlighting the sexism in the medical field. Olivia called out the double standards when her gynecologist refused a tubal ligation—a medical sterilisation procedure commonly known as “getting your tubes tied.” Many of her followers also pointed out that people had an issue with women choosing to be child-free while some argued that she ought to make the decision at a later stage in life, sparking debate about medical freedom and decision making. The video went viral garnering 1.8 million views and 387,000 likes. 

Olivia reenacted the conversation she had with her gynecologist after returning to her car with a brochure for an IUD. “Hi, Mrs. Gynecologist! My name is Olivia. I never want children. I’ve had this made up in my mind since I was old enough to think of the concept. Can I please have my tubes tied?” she says at the start of the video. “No,” she responded as her gynecologist. “It’s permanent.” Olivia replied, “Yeah, I know! That’s why I asked. I’d like that option.”

The gynecologist attempted to make the argument that her decision to not have children will be swayed by a man. The gynecologist replied, “Well, no. You might meet Mr. Right and change your mind.” Olivia reiterated to the gynecologist that she doesn’t want children irrespective of whether she finds as a partner or them being a good person. “No. It’s not my plan. It’s not in my five-year plan, it’s not in my ten-year plan, my fifty-year plan. I don’t want that,” she said. The gynecologist still refused to take her seriously and carry out the request. “Yeah, but you might change your mind, and it’s permanent, so here’s a brochure for an IUD,” the gynecologist.

She then pulled a brochure for IUD hormonal contraception that was allegedly given to her by her gynecologist. “It has the same efficacy rate. We put it in your uterus and you bleed and cramp for three months,” they reportedly told her. Olivia said, “No. No thank you.” Many women could resonate with the conversation Olivia had with her gynecologist and said some do not take their problems seriously enough or hold a sexist double standard that jeopardizes women. “People need to understand NOT wanting kids!!!!!” wrote one user. “THIS! YES!! I NEVER WANTED AND NEVER WILL WANT KIDS!! I’ll be 40 in four years,” added another user. “Mr Right is someone who also doesn’t want kids. How hard is that to understand?” commented another user.

The number of people voluntarily choosing to go childless have been steadily growing in the U.S. As per a survey from Pew Research Center, 44% of adults said it is “not too or not at all likely” that they will have children someday, marking a 7% increase from 2018. From rising healthcare costs, living expenses, poverty wages, climate change and skyrocketing rent, some of the younger generation cannot afford or do not want to bring a child into a world. Olivia later posted another video explaining that she might eventually get her partner to get a vasectomy. “I just kind of went in for a check-up and asked because, like, you know, I just don’t want kids. On a serious note, I guess we’ll just cross that bridge when we get there. Whatever boo I end up with, I guess he’ll just have to get a vasectomy. Apparently, you can get one with the snap of a finger because they’re reversible.”