One mother says her first pregnancy was so traumatic that she “literally became terrified” and had her fallopian tubes removed at the age of 24.
Belle Murail, now 28, was bedridden for several months and lost 30 pounds during her pregnancy. After thinking she would die during childbirth, she chose to undergo a salpingectomy to eliminate the possibility of having another baby.
“After I found out I was pregnant, I immediately decided that I didn't want to be tied down to a man in that way,” said the Napa, Calif., resident.
“My pregnancy and birth were so bad that I literally developed a phobia of knowing I was pregnant, being pregnant, and giving birth.
“I had constant nightmares of those events, and sometimes I would wake up traumatized and scared.”
The pregnancy itself was no picnic and she actually lost a lot of weight. However, according to the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, women who were at a healthy weight before pregnancy are recommended to gain 25 to 35 pounds.
Obese women with a BMI of 30 or higher are also encouraged to gain 11 to 20 pounds.
“I was bedridden for the entire pregnancy. I lost 30 pounds and the only thing I could eat was Eggo waffles. That sounds great, but there are literally no nutritional benefits and I'm told it's a no-no. I felt it,” Bell said.
After giving birth, she underwent a salpingectomy, or surgery to remove the fallopian tubes.
“I had my fallopian tubes removed when I was 24,” she said, adding that she knew she would never be able to have children again.
“My birth was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. I literally thought I was going to die. Throughout it all, I just asked the doctors and nurses, please help me, please save my life. I was just pleading,” she said.
For her, hormonal birth control was not an option.
“Ever since I started using birth control at age 13, I feel like I've never been the same person I've ever been. No matter what kind of birth control I use, I still gain weight, have heavy periods, and have hormonal imbalances. ” she said.
“My personal opinion is that birth control is harmful.”
Now, the mother-of-one is feeling the best she's ever felt after coming off birth control completely, with her fear of pregnancy gone.
