My hysterectomy at 19

I was 18 when I found out I was pregnant. Everything was fine throughout my pregnancy until the end when I didn't feel right. At my last doctor's appointment with a routine blood test they said something didn't seem right and admitted me for induced labor.

Everything also went fine until after my daughter was born. They could not stop my bleeding. I had to have a blood transfusion and was given an emergency hysterectomy. To this day they still do not know how it happened.

It took me years to recover from this loss, but I am grateful I had the chance to experience childbirth one time.

Mercedes Lynn Wagner
Whitehall, PA
smjaj2003@yahoo.com

For more information about hysterectomy:

• HERS Foundation (Hysterectomy Educational Resources & Services) is an independent, nonprofit women's health education organization providing accurate information about hysterectomy, its adverse effects and alternative treatments.
• Hysterectomy Awareness, a website dedicated to raising awareness about hysterectomy as well as providing support and resources about the subject.
• Sans Uteri, a forum for the discussion of the physical and emotional challenges that can be caused by hysterectomy.
• Hystersisters, a woman to woman support website for hysterectomy recovery. This group offers resources and kindness so that visitors can discover options and make decisions for themselves.

Updated 06/01/2007