I knew from an early age I didn't want a baby - my mother described labor as "the worst pain you'll ever feel." That scared me.
Growing up, our home was chaotic and violent. It solidified my stance on not wanting to bring a life into this world.
I had my fallopian tubes removed a few years ago - whenever I'm at an appointment and I'm asked if there's any chance I'm pregnant, I smile and shake my head. I haven't made many
great decisions, but ditching the fallopian tubes was of the best decisions I've made in my 40 years.
I did get pregnant when I was 24-25, and I chose to abort. At that time it cost $500 cash, the doctors office was in his home, and I was under anesthesia. If I had decided not to abort, I'd have a teenage son or daughter now…living in this world? No way.
My brother and SIL had their first baby a bit over 2 years ago. They're both in their forties. I suspect they decided to have a baby after our mother died. It was surprising, but then I thought more about it and recalled stories of couples who cope with loss by reproducing.
Will my niece be an only child, idk - I'm estranged from both my brother and SIL and have no plans on communicating with them further. I did get to hold my niece and meet her once, when she was 6 months old. She's adorable and I feel sad to think of the world she's been born into. I mailed her a birthday card when she turned 2 - it had an Ewok on the front, and the greeting said "I hope your birthday Ewoks".
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Anyhow, my brother and SIL do have a habit of tuning out reality. A lifestyle really.