As I laid on an operating table a few weeks ago, I was suddenly struck with feelings of anger, resentment and pain.  Why was I going through this? Yes, I chose to have a tubal procedure done, but I didn’t plan on suffering in pain.  I only chose to have no more children. Why is it that women are biologically responsible for populating the world? It just isn’t fair that women must bear the pain of childbirth, uncomfortable monthly menstrual cycles, and yes…sore breasts from breastfeeding.

Laying on that table, all I could think of was killing my doctor…A MALE DOCTOR! Did he know what he was doing to me? “Hey, buddy!! I’m in pain here!” Not that he would know anything about it.  All I could think of, as his head was peeping up from between my legs, was kicking every one of his teeth out.  (Hey…it helped me with pain management!)

The best part of being a woman is the yearly pap smears that force us to wear ugly gowns and prop our feet up in stirrups, as a stranger slowly inches closer and closer to our forbidden fruits.  Oh, and the bright lights are the best.  I just loved being examined in 3D with fluorescent lights beaming on my center stage.  Men don’t have to go through this stuff! Sure, maybe an occasional rectal exam but at least its not on display under a light brighter than the sun.

According to the Bible, we were made from the rib of man but does that make us any less? Should we suffer more than men? An older lady once told me that if men had to give birth the world would be severely under populated.  It is not my intention to degrade the men of this world.  However, it is my intention to bring attention to the strength of women.

A male co-worker of mine asked me if it hurts to have a baby.  I simply answered, “Not unless you enjoy having your body ripped in half!” I truly never understood the strength of a woman until I experienced giving natural birth, breastfeeding and getting a tubal ligation.  I am truly looking forward to my next life. I am going to request that I come back as a man.

“Giving birth is like taking your lower lip and forcing it over your head.” Carol Burnett

Author: Rhonda Gutierrez