Advice about Tubal Ligation
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Dec 2008
Hello! I'm having my second child by c-section in February and
thinking of having a tubal ligation at the same time. Any
thoughts out there? Pros/cons?
Thanks!
Tracy
I had a tubal ligation after my second child. It is easiest to
arrange before delivery. They asked me about 3 times before
surgery if it was really what I wanted to do. After birth,
apparently the uterus is much closer to the surface of the
abdomen and it is easier to perform the surgery. I had the
surgery the next morning after the birth, while I was still at
Alta Bates. It went fine and only left a small lateral scar
below the bikini line. I felt much relieved and if anything,
improved my sex life. It should be regarded as non-reversible,
so just be sure that is what you want.
happy mom
I had a tubal ligation after my second c-section and am thrilled
that I had the opportunity to have the procedure, especially now
that I'm hearing more of my girlfriends argue with their husbands
about getting vasectomies. I've been sitting here trying to think
of one con about the tubal, and the only one I could come up with
is that it is a permanent procedure (which to me is a pro...I
NEVER want to be pregnant again!). So just make sure that you're
comfortable not having any more children. If you are sure, take
this opportunity...both my husband and I are so glad that we
never have to worry about birth control.
Sterile Sue
Definitely have the tubal ligation at the same time. But, be
very careful about which hospital you choose. Most Catholic
hospitals refuse to do a tubal ligation at the same time (or
ever, in many cases).
http://womenshealthnews.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/reproductive-health-and-the-catholic-hospital-conundrum/
www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2007/09/13/tubal-ligation.html
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/11/tyler-catholic.html
Safe and cost-effective
I had a scheduled c-section and signed the paperwork for my
tubal around 28 weeks -- I was so thrilled to get it done!
Blessed with two kids and a very complicated last pregnancy made
it clear that I was done having kids. Easy recovery from c-
section (the scheduled part was lovely!). And now that my period
has returned it is really incredible to finally not be thinking
about birth control. Go for it!
good luck
As a mom of three, the tubal ligation has been the best thing
for me. My spouse and I have no worries! And I didn't really
experience any side effects other than gain some weight which
is now coming off with a lot of exercise. Good luck!
anon
As a nursing student, I was recently at LPCH and observed several
c/s. During which nearly all of the women chose to have a tubal
ligation. If it is something you want done, this is the best
time to do it! it is quick, painless and done all at the same
time. But, as I am sure you know, you must sign all the
paperwork in advance (there's a specific time frame) but that you
can decline at any time. Good luck
anon
I did the same thing. It took a few extra minutes before they
closed me up. No big deal-I don't even remember it. BUT, a
year later, I had a 60 day period and when I called my ob, she
had me take a pregnancy test. I wasn't -- but after that I had
a test to make sure the tubes were, in fact, closed. Insurance
paid for it. It was a little uncomfortable with dye shot up
there and x-rays taken but well worth our piece of mind. And
boy was my husband happy to avoid the knife.
Cath
I had a tubal ligation when I had my 2nd child via c-section
last year and it could not have been easier. Since they have
you open down there it doesn't hurt and is so easy. I told my
OB that I wanted this and she had me sign paperwork. My husband
had offered to get snipped but this was much easier on my end
since I knew I would be ''open'' down there anyway. We knew we
were done and I have not had to take any birth control or use
condoms since. We are happy with this decision and insurance
covers it anyway. good luck with everything.
Finished at 2 kids
i had something which does the same as tubal ligation,
blocks your fallopian tubes. it's called essure and they insert
stents (without incisions, goes through your cervix, so you do
need anesthesia) into the tubes which then grow around it.
you do need a test where they put dye into your uterus and then
see if it gets through, about 3 months later, and the biggest
hassle there was that the insurance kept billing it as a fertility
procedure (which is not covered much at all!!). they did finally
cover it as part of the sterilization procedure it is.
the test can be painful
for some, wasn't for me (took tylenol ahead of time), i gather
that is luck of the draw. but no incisions....and i'm very
happy with it.
anon
January 2003
Hi all:
I'm considering having my tubes tied for birth control purposes.
I'm almost 48 and do not want any more children (I have 2,
that's plenty! :-). It seems that this could be a permanent
solution, and that I would no longer have to worry about birth
control, no muss, no fuss, no worrying about what hormones or an
IUD might be doing to me...what a concept!. Anybody have any
pros, cons, advice - experiences, risks of the procdure, etc.
I'm thinking of tubal ligation after having my second baby. I
just wonder if other people have any bad experience after
having tubal ligation? Like hormonal change, mens.
disturbance, hairy skin.......
I had a tubal ligation when I was 36. There were zero
complications. I was told it was much easier to have the
proceedure done shortly after giving birth as the tubes are
closer to the surface (or something like that.) In any case
that is what I did. Physically, my body continued to function
completly normally, that was very nice. Okay, here was the
mental side: my big fantasy during sex had always been that I
was going to get pregnant--even when it was the last thing in
the world I really wanted. Before I had the tubal ligation I was
worried that sex wouldn't be as exciting if there was zero
possibilty of getting pregnant. It turns out the tubal ligation
had zero effect on my fantasy. That was VERY nice. I am not
going to sign this one because at the time I made my husband
swear he would never tell anyone I had a tubal ligation. It must
have been part of my fantasy life. In any case, he lived up to
his word.
After 2 kids and 10yrs using the IUD, I decided to have a Tubal
Ligation when I was 48 YO. It was a good decision, no stress, no
mess. The surgical procedure was simple and left a small scar. I
am now 60 yo and never regreted the decision.
Vasectomy is a lot less invasive than tubal ligation--you might
want to explore that option if you've one partner.
Good luck
-- Husband to be snipped next month
I had tubal ligation surgery at Alta Bates about 6 weeks after
my second baby was born in November 2001. My family was
concerned because of my age at the time (28) but I felt very
comfortable with my decision. I did a lot of research at the
Public Health library, on-line and even spoke to a psychologist
before making my decision. Apparently, the women who are the
most satisfied with the surgery have 2 or more children,have at
least one child of each gender, and are over age 40. Obviously,
each situation is unique, but in my case, I had two very
difficult pregnancies (complete bed rest for 5 months each)and I
had the support of my gynecologist. Our HMO (Health Net through
UCB) paid for the surgery without a problem, and it is usually
an outpatient surgery. I feel blessed to have a wonderful
daughter and son, and I know in my heart that I do not want more
children. I could not imagine 25+ more years of hormone pills,
shots, creams and patches to prevent another pregnancy. The
surgery scar is so tiny that I have to search deep inside of my
belly button for a pinhead sized mark. Since the surgery, my
periods are lighter and shorter, I have lost over 30 lbs, I no
longer have synthetic estrogen produced mood swings,and my
husband and I have a wonderful sex life because we no longer
have to worry about the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy.
I am 44 and had a tubal ligation after the birth of my second
child. It is easiest to do right after a birth because the
ovaries are close to the surface. I had to sign paper work a few
weeks before the delivery. They operated the next morning after
the delivery. It was about a 3in. tranverse incision just above
the pubis. They used an epidural but also knocked me out with
some kind of drip on my request. I spent a couple hours in
recovery until I could feel my legs again. It healed nicely and
I haven't noticed any wierd side effects except what you would
expect for a woman of my age, probably entering perimenopause.
Periods are still normal though irregular, etc. It was well
worth it for the peace of mind.
If you've had all the children you want, I say go for it! I had
a tubal ligation about 13 years ago. Recovery took a little
longer than I expected, but it was OK. My husband and I call it
my ''fun little operation'' because it took all the worry out of
birth control.
-- Still Having Fun
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