I'm 21 and already have two children aged 3 and 3 months. I said to my midwife that I wanted to be sterilised, but she said I would regret it. I've had an implant fitted in order to stop me getting pregnant, but I still want to go the whole way. Is there some sort of age limit that means the midwife can't sterilise me? Why is she saying 'no' to me on this?

Susan advises

I completely understand you're at the end of your tether - you're very young, coping with two small children, and have very few resources to back you up. So it's not surprising that right now you want to make absolutely sure you don't get pregnant again.

The reason your midwife is blocking sterilisation, though, is that things change - and as you are very young and have many years of life ahead of you, things are likely to change quite a lot. As your children get older they may well be easier to cope with. As you yourself get older you may well find more strength to cope. And you could get more support in coping - which would make all the difference in the world.

The thing to focus on is not taking away your ability to have children, but adding to your ability to enjoy them. So next time you see your midwife, ask her to put you in touch with support services in the area. Could you get more money to enable you to have an easier life? Could you join childcare groups so that you have a little time to yourself?

In particular, could you get support from other mothers? As the name suggests, the MeetaMum organisation puts you in touch with more experienced parents who can advise you on how to get out of this low space you're in. Log on today and get the help you need.