Kelly Clarkson welcomed her first baby, a daughter named River, back in June 2014. Then in April of this year, she gave birth to her second child, son Remington Alexander. Just the idea of two babies in the span of two years is enough to make me crazy, so the reality is probably pretty overwhelming. Add to that the fact that everyone felt the need to talk sh-t about Kelly’s body during and after her pregnancies, it’s enough to make me sick. So, Kelly had been out and about in the past week to talk about her new children’s book, and she was an absolute delight everywhere she went. I mean, we already knew that about Kelly, right? She’s a ray of sunshine, she’s funny, she’s positive, and she’s not going to tell hippie-dippy stories about how parenthood and pregnancy is all a basket of kittens. Apparently, she’s so certain that she never wants another baby that she got her tubes tied AND she made her husband get a vasectomy.
After her difficult pregnancies with her children River Rose and Remington Alexander, Kelly Clarkson is totally and completely done having kids. The 34-year-old singer joined Jenny McCarthy on Sirius XM Entertainment Thursday and revealed that not only did she get her tubes tied after Remi’s birth in April, but she made her husband, Brandon Blackstock, get a vasectomy, too.
“I was literally pregnant with Remi, and I was like, ‘You are getting fixed. This will never happen to me again,'” she revealed. “If something happens, it’s a miracle of God. I literally told my OBGYN on the table while open, ‘If I get pregnant again, I will find you!'”
As she’s revealed in the past, Clarkson struggled through her pregnancies, suffering from terrible morning sickness and nausea.
“It’s horrible. Nothing is beautiful, nothing is magical,” she said of being pregnant. “Whatever, you’re that person that gets that pregnancy, good for you. But I will remind my children every day of their lives what I [went through]. I was like hospitalized both pregnancies. And then I thought, I wanted another little buddy [for River]. I didn’t want a kid to just be an odd man out because I felt like that a lot. I wanted her to have somebody her age, like when we’re traveling. And so I thought, ‘OK, we’ll just do it again.’ I was like, ‘There’s no way it can happen again,’ but it was worse. Remi’s pregnancy was worse than River’s.”
That’s totally… amazing. To be so hellbent on never having another child that you close down both avenues. It’s not like, “Oh, I need an IUD after this pregnancy.” No. Kelly was like “shut this down on my end and his end too.” Two babies and DONE. Jessica Simpson felt the same way after her back-to-back pregnancies, although I don’t think Jessica had her tubes tied and forced her husband to have a vasectomy.
Kelly was also delightful on Late Night with Seth Meyers. She told an amazing story about meeting then-Senator Obama for the first time, and I swear, I laughed every time she made a “baby senator” joke.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
It’s a bit radical.
Is it? It’s what my husband and I plan on doing after we know we’re done with kids.
As a birth worker I can honestly say horrible
pregnancies are so horrible for the mamas, so hard to get through, so emotional, so trying that I am surprised a lot of them actually do it again! Let alone the massive amounts of guilt they feel for not completely bonding with your pregnancy and door for complaining about it and people are so quick to dismiss that.
Personally I had to fill attaining nausea and vomiting up until four months and I just remember crying and feeling so nasty all of the time I can’t imagine if I spent my whole pregnancy like that if I’d want to have more.
I love Kelly she’s just incredible
why? she has 2 kids and he has 4. i think it is smart and practical
Seems fine to me. Extra precaution
Not radical at all – I have a close friend who had her tubes ties with baby #2 and low and behold a year later she was pregnant with baby #3. It happens. If you are done why not be responsible and make doubly sure?
Tell that to my aunt that got pregnant after her tubes were tied. The only thing that stopped them from getting pregnant again was my uncle getting a vacestomy. Lol!!!
My husband is soooo getting a vasectomy after we have our second. So much of reproductive health is left up to women and I am done! I’d get my tubes tied too but it’s a much more invasive procedure so it’s my husband’s turn to step up. Thank goodness he didn’t bat an eyelash when we discussed permenant birth control because I probably would have cried if he’d taken issue with it.
“So much of reproductive health is left up to women and I am done!”
This is exactly why my partner has volunteered to get it done… I deal with periods, I would have to deal with potential pregnancies, and the female procedure is more invasive and expensive. He says it’s the least he can do… and I agree. I’m glad your husband is on the same page, Coco!
A vasectomy only works 90% of the time. I had one, got the tests done after 6 months and they came back negative. Found out the hard way it didn’t take. The snips can grow back together.
Coco, this is exactly how I feel!!! It’s my husbands turn. It’s much less invasive, also.
Or thorough, depending on your point of view. Better safe than sorry I guess.
Not really. Both procedures have a failure rate and doing both increases the chances of success. It sounds like a very sensible plan to me. Medical science is pretty well advanced in that area and both procedures are pretty safe as far as surgery goes.
Why? If you know you’re done, be done. We did that after I had my second – after bedrest, major skeletal issues, rips in places that should never rip, and post-partum depression that bordered on PPD, I was absolutely adamant that I was never doing it again, ever, and the Mr. agreed. Better safe than sorry.
I was ready to shut production down after one kid. I was done. I wanted my tubes tied but my doctor suggested an IUD instead since I was so young and being a woman he was certain I would change my mind. I told him he didn’t know how close was to getting punched in the face, then I changed doctors.
But yeah, one and done. Shop closed.
It is also safer. Even though a successful tubal ligation has a very low failure rate 18 in 1,000 women will become pregnant in the decade following the procedure, 70% of those pregnancies are ectopic, which requires surgery and can be fatal for the mother.
My tubes are tied, I had uterine ablation done, AND my husband had a vasectomy. I’m even more “fixed” than she is, LOL.
Both these steps are not that big a deal anymore!
I’m sure she didn’t force anything. He probably got the chemical version from Europe that is painless and completely reversible. And hers is reversible too. Safe and effective.
And I know several people who had really difficult pregnancies. Not at all surprised she would do this.
There’s what now available in Europe?
I don’t know why I laughed so hard at your comment, 🙂
Men now have more options depending on where you live: traditional surgical vasectomy, no scalpel vasectomy or a chemical vasectomy. The chemical version is either Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance (RISUG) or something similar known as Vasalgel. To have it done in the United States you have to participate in a study. They are still on the human trials step of FDA approval.
It is an injection that lasts for ten years. As an injection it is less expensive than surgery, less likely to have complications, less painful and easier to recover from. Its advantages are it is easier to reverse, similar effectiveness (<1% failure rate), because it doesn't created a physical block it also eliminates the chance of lasting uncomfortable side effects that can occur after a regular and no-scalpel vasectomy.
https://www.wired.com/2011/04/ff_vasectomy/
A tubal ligation is a big deal, it is a much more invasive procedure than a vasectomy. Most couples start with the vasectomy… yes there are failures but your not supposed to use it as birth control until it’s tested for efficacy 6 mos later.
To each their own, but this is a pretty extreme decision given other less invasive forms of birth control that are readily available.
A tubal ligation is invasive but it’s not a big deal medically. Not for a healthy woman in the hands of a competent Doctor. I had one via laparoscope. In and out of surgery in 30 mins. One stitch in my belly button. Back to work 2 days later. And that was 30 yrs ago. It doesn’t require the patient to be cut open with a radical incision like 50 yrs ago.
Going under general anesthesia is never something to take lightly though. There are always risks.
That video was amazing. She’s adorable! I’m so glad she’s had this much success.
That video was so cute 🙂
She was kidding about the remind my kids every day part, right?
I hope so!
She should remind them! Women are *already* such martyrs for their kids/families who don’t give a shit what they give up for them. Tell them and tell them often.
She made the decision to have them, it’s on her an her husband. Him she can remind of the difficulties. She shouldn’t rub it in her kids faces, what are they supposed to do about it? People have kids for selfish reasons, not for the good of the kids. Let’s not lose perspective.
For what it’s worth, I think she was joking.
Yes, she was kidding. Geez, no one (not you in particular but read some of the comments) understands sarcasm anymore. Everything is taken so literally and everything is so offensive. It’s exhausting.
Love her, always have. She talented and down to earth.
Had a tubal ligation 32 years ago and never regretted it. Husband also got spayed. I did’t want kids and husband already had two. It was a good decision.
Vasectomies are totally not foolproof so it makes sense that both parties would do something. My ob had stories of at least 2-3 guys a year that were convinced their wives has cheated-but nope. All it takes is one.
If you both know you don’t want anymore kids it doesn’t seem weird to me. I have two cousins that did the same before reaching 30, but then again they each have 3 kids each.
Per my OB, it’s men not waiting long enough after the procedure/not getting the semenalysis. The count needs to be ZERO.
Or men refusing to go back fot that initial check up. I’ve hears that happens more often than it should.
My entire 2nd pregnancy was awful and miserable, and my delivery was even more awful. When they handed my daughter to me I looked at my husband and said, “I am NEVER doing this again.” 14 months later while on birth control, using a family planning calendar, AND a condom I got pregnant again! I was pretty mad my entire pregnancy. I had 3 babies in less than 5yrs. However, now I am SO glad I had #3. She is such a joy–so sweet, and she is literally the funniest person I have ever met.
But yeah, after I had #3 I made my husband get a vasectomy and I have an IUD. I’m not messing around anymore!
I totally get it too.. My pregnancy was so traumatic with three hospitalizations, I dont know if I can ever do it again, especially with a toddler in tow. But I also get what she is saying about her first being the odd man out. I had that my whole life.
My mum (and my son) tried to convince me to have a 4th, so I wouldn’t have an odd number. My mum had 6! And, now that my youngest is almost 4rs old I sometimes think, “Aw, I’ll never have a baby again.” But then I get called to wipe a butt or break up a fight and think, “Nah, I’m good!”
That was such a great clip with Seth
Totally get it. I had my tubes tied when I was done. I didn’t insist hubby get one though.
Smart cookie.
Now if only Kelly could call Tori.
Not an unwise precaution. Both procedures can spontaneously reverse themselves occasionally.
She is too cute. One of my all time favorite celebrities, and a talent worthy of her success!
I adore Kelly and her music. She is one of our modern great talents. She can actually sing, and she has a great voice.
Agreed. She’s my “secret” musical crush — I finally confessed after an indie/alt rock loving friend of mine admitted she had a secret love for Madonna a few years ago.
Yes! Honking for Kelly. I love her vocal range, her attitude and her sense of humor.
Perfectly fine to decide for herself. To “make” her husband follow is not acceptable sorry.
I’ll resent it as hell if my husband gets to deside about MY bodily functions because HE had a “non-magical ” experience.
That’s what I thought too!
I doubt she did it at gunpoint ,so she “requested” it.
Better?
She’s telling it in a joking manner. I’m sure they discussed it and came to the mutual decision. Her husband has children from his previous marriage as well, I’m sure he’s fine to be done too.
Come on!!!! You can’t really make someone have a medical procedure. I am sure she said lets be safe and he agreed. This is exaggeration and the story is funny.
“….. but she made her husband, Brandon Blackstock, get a vasectomy, too. “Yore are getting fixed”…..”
Of course they may have discussed it and he was simply obliging. But it is as likely that she projected the horrors of her pregnancy till she got his compliance.
It helps that they have two children (and more from previous relationships).
However I still find it strong to expect this decision from anyone.
He already had 2 kids prior to marrying her, right? Now they have 4. I suspect he didn’t need a lot of prodding. Not everybody wants to have an innumerable number of children like Tori Spelling (I know she currently has 5, but I doubt she’ll stop as long as her biology keeps working).
A man will never have to go through pregnancy, so I think a woman requesting a man get a vasectomy is a little different than a man asking a woman to change something about her body.
I’ve worked in a biotech lab for years. If you get pregnannt you’re out the very same day, reading and writing papers till you give birth but out nevertheless.
So I and my ex used to combine anti-baby methods. That reduces the probability even further and with many of them it’s under 1% already.
I’m sorry perplexed but you surely don’t have to request such a dramatic (most times permanent change) when you can manage it with other means.
My ex was with the military. Would be ok if he’d “requested” that I do all the housework because I don’t have to run in a rainy night 20 km with 20 kg on my back?
If he had very few children I’d probably think her request could have drawbacks in the future.
But 4 kids sounds like ample to me, so in this instance, I think they most likely did what works for the both of them.
I do find it interesting that married people in stable relationships seem more inclined to get procedures done while Jude Law is running around impregnating everyone. That’s a bit fascinating to me.
I think it’s a question of personality. I was asked the same question after my second C-section. We have never thought to have a very big family, but the thought of such a finality was frightening for me. For some men I know virility is in a straight connection with their reproduction skills. Jude Law may be one of them.
When I was pregnant with my first, my OB had another mother with 11 children, pregnant for 12th time. She couldn’t take care of her children-ALL of them! were in social care/foster families. Still she’s never thought to tie her tubes. I must admit I couldn’t get it. I still don’t.
@Micki…strange you would mention the lady with a dozen kids. I grew up with a girl who was the same way. Long story short, after kid #10 went into the system (all were taken at birth but one, whom her disabled mother adopted), someone finally thought to give her a mental evaluation. Tests showed that her emotional/mental development was that of a 15-16 year old (about the time she became pregnant and gave birth to her first by a 24 year old man), and she didn’t see the children as “responsibilities” the way a healthy adult would. Unfortunately, I lost touch with her a few years ago, but I pray she found the help she needed. Oh, and the doctor(s) did tie her tubes after #10, with her consent.
if her in laws are anything like mine, they’ll still harass her or trill “buuuuut it’s not foooolprooooof!!!!!! THESE THINGS CAN FAIL! I CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO GET PREGNANT!!!!”
Your in laws are a–holes who deserve to babysit all the family kids in their worst moments. They’ve either got some major unaddressed anger toward you (and they need to take care of it on their own time) OR they expect you to provide and pay for the entertainment (as it were). A–holes either way.
In the meantime, you have my sympathy.
Isnt Reba her MIL? Kelly’s husband has 4 kids from a previous relationship (maybe marriage?) plus their 2. I think his parents are probably happy with the 6 grandkids
not anymore – reba and kelly’s father-in-law split this year.
Her perspective is refreshing… for me at least. I do not yet have children, though plan to. However, pregnancy is seriously my worst fear OF LIFE. I am absolutely terrified of pregnancy… unnatural fear? Maybe, but I’ve seen women struggle with it – ravaging their bodies and they’re never the same mentally or physically. I’ll choose to have children because I want a family with my husband, and I’m sure once they (2 hopefully, then buttoning it up like Kelly) arrive I won’t regret it, but it won’t mean I will have liked the process or want to do it repeatedly. Unfortunately, it will have to be sooner rather than later as I’m 32. UGH. Hearing that clock tick in the back of my head is also one of the worst feelings ever.
Don’t worry you’re not the only one who’s scared to death of pregnancies (I don’t now if I’m reassuring you, or I’m talking to myself because I’m relieved that I’m not alone). In fact, I’ve only started wanting a baby very recently (like circa August 2015). Before that, if I were in my apartment building’s lift (it’s a high-rise) and a pregnant lady walked in, I would actually squirm into a corner out of fear for some reason, it just freaked me out. IDK why. I shouldn’t have children anyway, I’m too sick to even take care of myself some days. I’m considering Kirobo Mini.
I don’t know if the fear is “unnatural” as you put it, but you’re not alone (at least there’s one other person that shares that fear with you—and I know I’m just some stranger online and anyone can claim anything online, but I’m legit and therefore you are not alone).
As I am a stranger as well, I can tell you that I had amazing pregnancies, fast births (with an epidurals 🙂 and my body is pretty much back to normal. Breastfed lots, that’s about it.
I get that you’re feeling nervous, but it is compounded when all you hear are horror stories! Totally normal fears though…
You do you!!
For what it’s worth, I LOVED being pregnant!!! My pregnancy hormones were very happy ones for me and my only real discomforts came late/near birth. My first birth experience was traumatic, but my second was incredibly rewarding and exhilarating (natural birth — midwife, doula…very earth mother!). I would get pregnant again in a heartbeat, but…
Having children has been the hard part. Really, really hard. My oldest is a teenager and I cry most days. 🙁
Invain,
Aww I’m sorry you’re so scared. It’s totally normal. I’ll just say I’ve been pregnant 3 times (only successfully carried one through) and I loved it! Yes, the all day sickness was awful and having swollen legs and feet and all the weight gain but I truly loved it and miss being pregnant and because of starting late, fertility issues and getting on in age I may never be pregnant again. So I loved it. Hated my baby shower (don’t like being center of attention) so much. I was dreading it and my husband was laughing that I was actually excited about labor and giving birth to our son but not my baby shower. 😆 Anyways I wish you the best and hope you have a wonderful future pregnancy!!!
ETA: I love Kelly Clarkson, video was very cute and she just seems so real, down to earth and man that woman can sing!
Sounds like a Loretta Lynne country song: I’m Gettin’ Snipped and So Is He! (Ain’t Gonna Have No Baby Number Three!)
+1 I can almost hear it.
It boggles my mind that celebrities (or anyone) so freely shares these intimate details of their lives.
I’m currently 34 weeks pregnant with my second daughter after a traumatic miscarriage in between the two. I have AWFUL pregnancies as a result of nerve pain and something called symphysis pubis dysfunction. Basically my pelvis is so loose that it moves and cracks like your knuckles might, except in my pubic bone and other pelvic joints. I’m team #neveragain and my husband is going to get his vasectomy when this baby is a year old (his choice). I have a hard time getting pregnant without medical intervention, so we will use birth control and be extra cautious.
When people pressure me about a third baby, it takes everything I have to not explode and tell them about how much I hate being pregnant!
@Notsoanonymous: I commented upthread on my awful pregnancy, but didn’t mention that a huge part of it being awful was Pelvic Symphysis. I was in excrutiating pain for months–couldn’t even roll over in bed or put on a pair of undies without crying. That along with morning sickness for 7 months-while taking care of a 2 yr old)-sucked so hard. Then I had a 9+lb baby with no epidural in 2hrs. My daughter literally ripped her way out. I had a wonderful pregnancy-and delivery-with #3, and pretty good with #1, so sometimes you never know what you’re gonna get.
If it helps you feel better, my Pelvic Symphysis was gone within 24hrs of giving birth. SUCH a relief. I feel for you!
SPD is THE WORST. I had it with my oldest as well, but the onset was around 21 weeks. Terrible pain issues, extremely long labor, sunnyside up and it ended in a c-section (and a 9+ lb baby also!) While the SPD pain was gone within the first few days, I continued to have hyper mobility issues with my joints for a few months afterward.
This time, my miscarriage and subsequent/current pregnancy were back to back (by the time I have this one, I’ll have been pregnant or dealing with loss for a year) and my body was already so used to the hormones that my SPD began at week 9. It’s been bad enough that I’ve had doctors telling me the modified bed rest might be needed.
Frankly, the only way I’d consider another pregnancy would be if something tragic were to happen to this little one, and even then I’m still not sure. I’m 35, my body doesn’t tolerate it well… Team #neveragain 😉
I keep telling myself I’m on the home stretch though!
That’s awesome for her! Sounds like she was done no matter what, but having 2 under 2 is a great way to make you want to close up both shops!
So, basically, the total opposite of Tori’s and Dean’s irresponsible stupidity.
To those questioning her choice due to it being invasive: it is likely she had it done during a c-section. I remember when I had #2 the dr came in to cut out baby and said “we are tying your tubes today too, right?”
(Uhhh no…)
My body hates being pregnant as well. I can’t even fathom being someone who jogs up until she delivers or such.
Aw, Kelly is my kindred spirit! I had my first a few months after her and my second the same month as her, I also had difficult pregnancies with the second being worse than the first, I also had another kid for the same reason, and yep, we also shut down both avenues for future children!
Good for them.
“Forced her husband”? Ugh. Can we please NOT play into this narrative of women steam-rolling families’ reproductive choices.
Vasectomies are way more effective and less complicated than a tubal ligation. Unless she had her son by c-section and they did the tubal ligation at the same time, what is the point?
Ugh, I side with Kelly a little bit. TTC for a year and the miracle happens, now I’m going through extreme morning sickness and people are like aww it’s not that bad, or have you talked to other women who have been through this….Of course a part of me is still happy but I’m also nauseous at all times and on the verge of vomiting. Not a lot of fun, but I want to enjoy each moment.
Good for them!
It’s something I’ve considered as well. I can think of at least two failed vasectomy babies. One guy had another vasectomy after his first failed and the second didn’t work either.
Another couple are pregnant with twins and he went back to have his tested and had a 0 sperm count. My husband would probably want a DNA test and while my feelings would be hurt my head would understand.
Great, I’m proud of her and her husband!
“But I will remind my children every day of their lives what I [went through].”
I sincerely hope she was kidding when she said that. What a horrible thing to put on your children.
Wow!!! I wonder how they even found her coochie through all that fat!!! Brahahahahahah Well… At least there are plenty of wet spots!!! Brahahahahahah