So here's an interesting patient I saw today: a 38-year-old woman who had her tubes tied in 2001 in Honduras who now wants a reversal. We're waiting to see if we can get records from the hospital in Honduras that would tell us what kind of tubal ligation she had; if it's the kind that can't be reversed, then it's a no-go. If it's a kind that can be reversed, then it will cost $7,400 to reverse and there's an 80% chance she'll be able to conceive again.
Her husband doesn't know she's doing it.
She'll have to stay overnight in the hospital. She's going to tell her husband she's visiting someone. She won't be able to lift anything heavy (requiring two hands to lift) for at least two weeks, and she reportedly rearranges her furniture every other day. Um, think he's going to notice, much?
She plans on telling him when the baby arrives. OK, she's going to tell him before then, but not until after she's pregnant.
Shocked? There's no requirement that the husband be told. It's probably not that shocking that the physician doesn't have to tell the husband, but wouldn't you think it would be a good idea for the patient to tell her husband? Well, before you go get yourself in a tizzy over this sounds-like-a-board-question scenario, here's the full story: She and her husband were teenage sweethearts, and she got pregnant at 14. Oops! Her parents got pissed, she and he eventually broke up, and she eventually had 3 other children with another man. Now, many years later, she and her teenage guy are back together and married, and he definitely wants more kids but knows her tubes are tied. So this will actually be a nice surprise, not a crazy one.
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2 comments:
Thats so interesting that there's no requirement to tell the husband. In the state of Pennsylvania you are legally obligated to financially support any children your wife has (biologically yours or not) - I wonder if the rules are different in PA b/c if a married woman is trying to get pregnant without telling her husband she is at the same time obligating him financially.
I'm not saying a husband SHOULD be required to be notified - its just an interesting perspective.
That's really interesting... I have no idea about state laws (even in KY), but ethically, a physician is responsible only to the patient, unless it would harm another person. Ideally, you encourage communication in these situations, because it's one less headache for you to deal with later, but you don't have to tell. I'll look into it when I do my Philly rotations!
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