Melika Popp to help Saskatoon Health Region review tubal ligation policies

A woman who came forward last year to say she had been sterilized against her will has volunteered to take part in an external review of the Saskatoon Health Region's tubal ligation policies. 

Melika Popp told CBC News in December she was pressured into the sterilization procedure by staff at the Royal University Hospital in 2008 after she had a caesarian section.

• Another Saskatoon woman says she was sterilized against her will
• 'I didn't want it done': Saskatoon woman was sterilized against her will

She said at the time that she felt targeted and under duress.

"I was so hormonal at that time," Popp said in 2015. "They said it would be reversible, with no side effects." 

Health region changes procedures

Three other Indigenous women came forward to share their stories late last year.  

The Saskatoon Health Region changed its procedures to require written documentation showing a woman had given consent to a physician before entering hospital to give birth. 

In 2010, about 94 tubal ligation procedures were done after vaginal delivery. In 2015, the procedure was performed only 20 times. 

SHR director of maternal services Leanne Smith said the new policy is designed to ensure consent is not given when a woman is in a vulnerable position. 

"We have the opportunity to do a better job of ensuring consent is done at a time in a woman's obstetrical care that is free from any pressures that may make her decision not totally free," she said. "So for example, the pain of labour, the exhaustion that may happen following birth." 

After the four women spoke out last year, the health region ordered an external review. 

Smith said the review was suspended in summer when the health region was unable to find any former clients to take part. 

Melika volunteers

"At that point Ms Popp came forward and said 'I'd like to participate in this, I want to be part of this' and as such we said 'well, you know if we've got clients who are willing to participate then, you know, we're really able to move forward,'" said Smith. 

The health region is in its final negotiations with the two individuals who will be conducting the review, Smith said.

Popp, who was part of a health region meeting on Tuesday, said she wants to raise awareness for future generations.

"It's my healing journey," said Popp.

"It has really not been a victory march, it's been a broken hallelujah on many accounts. Thankfully, I've had a lot of supports in place."

Smith asked any women who felt they had been sterilized against their will to come forward to the health region through the client representative's office. 

She said the review would involve staff, clients and physicians contributing to a report and recommendations.