AN Edmonton woman is fighting for control of her body after being repeatedly denied a medical procedure that would stop her from having children.

Holly Maitland is only 22 but she is determined to undergo female sterilisation, or tubal ligation, after three unplanned pregnancies in as many years.

Her husband Jonathan, 30, has also volunteered to have a vasectomy and the couple claim to have the full support of their family GP.

But specialists, both private and public, have repeatedly refused them the procedures on the basis of her age.

Now, 27 weeks pregnant with their third child, Ms Maitland has launched an online petition urging Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to give Australian women the right to make decisions about their own health.

“We don’t want to risk another failed contraception because we’ve obviously already had three,” she said.

“It’s not a decision we’ve just come up with ... I’ve sat down and gone through the pros and cons, I know that in 10 years’ time I can’t walk into the doctor’s office and say ‘I want my tubes untied’.”

With a history of gestational diabetes and complicated labours, Ms Maitland fears her body can’t take much more.

She fell pregnant for the first time just four months into her relationship, which has become strained by the couple’s constant struggle to find effective contraception.

“We’ve now got to find a bigger car to fit three seats in it, then there’s the house,” she said. “We’re currently living with my in-laws at the moment for the simple reason we have to find a bigger house.

“It’s too much on my body as well.”

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service obstetrics and gynaecology clinical director Dr Samantha Scherman confirmed a specialist obstetrician had met with Ms Maitland last week.

She said there were many contraceptive options available to couples that were reversible and less invasive than tubal ligation, where clips are placed on the fallopian tubes.

These include a vasectomy for her husband, but Ms Maitland claims that was ruled out during her first appointment at Cairns Hospital.

“It is very unusual to conduct a tubal ligation on a 22-year-old as there is significant evidence through many studies that there is an extremely high likelihood the decision will be regretted in the future,” said Dr Scherman.

“Reversing tubal ligation requires reconnecting the fallopian tubes and success is not guaranteed.

“Tubal ligation is considered to be a permanent procedure.”

Ms Maitland has started contacting state ministers as her campaign, which includes a Facebook page and online petition, slowly gains traction.

“I started it thinking it’s not going to go far, but if it helps at least one person out I’ll be happy,” she said.

“I may be only 22 but I’m not stupid, it’s wrong.”