Some Advice on Tubal Ligation

C.,
I would have to agree with the others here.I had mine tubes tied in 97 after my son was born,but in 2000 i met my husband and we wanted to share a child together so i had them untied in 2002,and yes here in 07 i have a beautiful 11 month old daughter.I have had mine tied,untied and retied and all three times i was sore the first 2 days,but nothing major.They went through my belly button.I just had mine tied oct 24 this year at megee. I never thought i'd want anymore and boy was i so wrong i thought i made the biggest mistake.I also know the dr that did mine won't tie tubes unless 3 kids or over 30.good luck today and don't be worried it is over before you know it and not much pain at all

Hi C.,
I am a mom of 3. My advice to you is to not do anything permanent. I opted for Paragard...a hormone-free IUD that lasts for 10 years. (There is also, Mirena....a hormone-based IUD that lasts for I think 5 years.) I think the IUD's are great because you don't have to think about it at all. (no pills to take, etc.) Once they are inserted, you just forget about it. Plus, if I change my mind in 5 years (you never know)...I can get it removed and try for number 4. I hope this is helpful.
I wish the best for you,
L.

Hi C.,

I had a tubal after my second child. It was completed at the same time as my c-section, so i can't really say for sure if the pain experienced was directly related to the tubal or the C/S. But it has been over 2 years now, and I don't have any pains. My periods are heavier, but, prior to having kids, I was on birth control, which lessened the periods.

I am now 39 and very happy to have had the procedure done. I don't feel that I have had any serious side effects other than the heavier periods. I had no emotional issues about it. I was very sure I wanted this. You are still young, so you really need to be sure that this is what you want to do. Your doctor can help you choose the right path for your circumstances.

Good luck!

Jen

I had it done almost a year ago, the recovery is about a day or so tops and there is not much pain invovled. My periods are heavier than before but no biggie. Let us know what you decide!

If you are not totaly sure you don't want anymore children i wouldn't do it you are still young and may change your mind. i just had my second and knew i didn't want anymore right now but i am not sure about the future. Talk to your doctor about an IUD. I love it. I did have spotting for about 2 months and headaches but i have had it for about a year now and my periods are very light and come between 4and 6 weeks apart. No worry no fuss no pill. I can keep it in for 5 years or have it removed at any time. Good Luck with your decision.

Hi C.,
I am also 26 and I had tubal ligation in April after my daughter was born. My husband and I have two children and just like you our second was conceived while I was on birth control. We decided it was best for us because my husband has a medical condition that requires medication that could cause problems for any future babies. We were blessed that our baby girl had no problems. Any way, I did have pain after it but it wasn't unbearable. I have experienced heavier periods but I just figured that was because I am no longer on the pill. As far as early menopause is concerned I have not experienced that and I have not heard that about a tubal. I have only heard that associated with a hysterectomy. I can't really say much about the recovery because I had it done a few hours after I gave birth to my daughter so I am not sure what pain was from the tubal. I hope this was a little help to you. Good Luck with your decision!

Hi C., good luck at your appointment tomorrow. Yes, by the way, al that stuff you heard is true. My periods feel like i am having a baby every month, they're heavier, longer, and i get more symptoms. You sound alot like me, i got pregnant on the pill, & then on the shot. Plus, i got pregnant with my tubes tied. So it really doesn't make any guarantees for anyone. There's always that chance, & we seem to be that 99% out of a hundred. Make sure though, honestly. I was married when i got mine done. Now things aren't the same, we're divorced, & i'm with a wonderful man who'd love to have a child, & i can't give him his own. I have three, but i'd sure love to have a child with him. Make sure it's really waht you want. Good luck! Sam

Hi C.,

It really depends on the person and the doctor that does it. Some women only have the initial pain afterwards (which isn't too bad). Other women have major "side effects" that last until menopause. There are some horror stories out there from some of these women. My side effects is that midcycle I get excrutiating pain in which ever ovary dropped the egg that month. So, basically you need to make the decision for yourself since it can be different from woman to woman.

L.

Hi C.,
I had mine done with my c-section so I can't give you any advice other than if they do it the same as a c-section you will be just fine. I was not in pain after my c-section just very sore and was up and down the stairs that day. It took 6 weeks to heal and to this day I still have numbness in my abdomen but I was just fine. The only advice I will give to you is: MAKE SURE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT! I wish now that I had not gotten them tied. I swore that I did not want any more children and boy do I regret that I got a tubal ligation. Also, yes your periods will be heavier, if they were before birth control, at least mine are. The pill made it so much lighter but I didn't want to take it anymore due to so much cancer risk and a bunch of other stuff. So, all I can say is please, please make sure this is truly what you want and then I would wait at least a year and if you feel the same then go for it. Just some advice from a Mom who wants another child......and can't.
Christina

I am a 23 year old mother of 2 boys, 2 and 1 years old. I recently had my tubes tied in October (Laproscopic). I have never felt better. I had the Mirena for about 1 1/2 years before getting the tubal, finally deciding I was done. My periods went back to what they were before I had children in regularity, but I've had a significant decrease in pain during my period as well as bloating and the grouchies. The other plus, it is said to increase libido (I agree). I was only out of commission for 5-7 days total and the most painful part is the air they use to expand your belly (it travels into shoulders and is painful). You cant have sex for 2 weeks, but then your all ready to go. Getting my tubes tied, even though I am very young, was something I thought about for a long time and when I finally did it, I have been very happy...no menopause. And I have 2 incisions, about 1/2 inch long each, one in my belly button so you cant see it, and the other right below my bikini line. Well, good luck and I wish you the best in whatever you chose.

I know you wanted advice on what happens after tubal ligation, but I just wanted to urge you to think about it a little longer. You are so young. When I was 37, I decided I desperately wanted another child. Fortunately I didn't get the procedure when I was thinking about having it done. There are so many other options for birth control. Why not try the Mirena? It's an I.U.D. and lasts for five years before you need to have it replaced. Plus, it will make your periods almost non existant. Just a thought.

I had not had cramps since I gave birth to my 1st child in 1988 years. June 2005 I had Tubal Ligation 2 months after the birth of my third child. Six months later the cramps returned with a vengance, my cycle lasts for 7 heavy days. My only releive is Medication and crunches. Yes crunches! If I exercise when my cycle is due, the cramps do not come with it!

Hi C.,
This is the first time I am responding to a question on this forum, I guess because it is something I experienced first hand. I got married at 20 and 11 months later had my first son, then 18 months later a daughter, then 26 months later another baby boy. I was so in love with the first, did absolutely everything with him/for him, when my daughter came I was sick for 2 months with an awful cold at the beginning of the pregnancy and then so overwhelmed with having to care for 2. I was happy to have a boy and a girl and didn't want anymore, so needless to say when I got pregnant again I was determined it would be the last. I had tried a diaphragm and an IUD but neither worked for me-too lazy to use the first and spotting with the second.
So anyway at the age of 25 I decided to get a tubal, my sweet hubby would not go "under the knife" and I was determined. I went and met with the doctor and he said absolutely nothing to discourage/dissuade me. So I had it done. Physically I don't remember it being too bad. I know I was achy for a couple of days and just took it easy. It was 20 years ago, so it's hard to remember details.
Well, to me the important thing is that I was sorry I had it done. Not right away, but after 4-5 years I wished I could have more kids. It is amazing the way you feel one day/year can be radically changed by your circumstances, by God or by whatever. I actually found I wanted more children-I prayed I could get a reversal and that the method the doctor used had left enough tube to be sewed together again.
Then I started trying to find out where I could get a reversal inexpensively. We had no money for such a thing. My parents gave us $2000. but we couldn't come up with anymore. My hubby was working 2 jobs and I was a stay at home mom with a small alterations business.
One day a woman came in my store and I told her what I was trying to do (I don't talk about personal stuff with customers but for some reason I did) She said her insurance paid for her reversal.
Long story short my Hubby's insurance paid for it-not the usual-insurance companies rarely do that-he switched that year to another insurance and they were paying for everything b/c they wanted the county to keep them on as one of their insurance companies. After that year reversals were no longer covered. I am so grateful to God for opening all the doors needed.
Alot of people pay for a reversal and never get pregnant anyway. God had promised me a child if I listened to Him and got a reversal. I was pregnant within 5 months and have since had 6 more children for a total of 9. I realize this is not what everyone desires or will choose-but the point is you can use some other method of birth control that is not permanent especially until you are absolutely sure you want no more kids. When I was overwhelmed with 3 I just didn't think I could handle anymore-but God saw differently and I am so glad to be blessed with a large family-7 sons and 2 daughters!
There is alot of info on the internet about side effects to tubals-it sounds like you are aware of that. I typed "tubal ligation side effects" in Google and came up with quite a bit.
I pray God will guide you in your decision and that you won't have to regret a choice you make now in the future. The stress and responsibilty and feelings of being overwhelmed with young children come and go/wax and wane over the years-no matter what age they are-it just seems the worst in the beginning because it is a big adjustment from being responsible only for yourself and maybe a little for your husband to caring for those precious little souls!

Blessings,
T. Reichman

Having had one in1986,I will tell you that right after surgery for approx.that whole night you get "gas pains" in your upper abdomen due to the gas they inject in you for visualization .The best remeady to help get rid of it is move around as much as you can and actually sit up when you go to sleep.I slept in a rocking chair.I was not sore at all afterwards but I will tell you your periods will be heavier,but it is all worth it if you know what I mean!!!!!!!!! There is no premature menopause, you still have eggs and harmones, he does not remove your ovaries. Hope I helped.. :L. from NJ

I also suggest you find another method until you are older. I had my tubal at 31 after my fourth child. I knew I didn't want anymore, I didn't want to be pregnant again. I went in instead of my dh because I wanted my dh to have the choice of more children if something happened to me. I KNEW I didn't want any more.

OTOH, I had few side effects. I was sore and in minor pain for a few days, but I was also recovering from the birth of my dd (she was 4weeks old when I went in. I waited so I could pump milk for her, I didn't want to introduce the bottle until she was a month old, to avoid nipple confusion). I guess my periods are slightly heavier, but they were never regular before I had children and then I had four kids in 7 1/2 years, nursing one right into the pregnancy of the next. This is the first time I've ever had a regular cycle.

I was absolutely, without question, completely finished being pregnant and having children. Unless you can for certain say that, find another birth control method until you are sure. Reversals can be risky and for all the expense may end up being a waste of time and money.

Due to the variables that the other poster mentioned, we opted for a vasectomy instead. It took 20 minutes in the doctors office as opposed to having a tubal in an O.R. with general anesthesia and several tiny incisions in the abdomen (I'm assuming your doing it laparascopically). I have friends who instead opted for the e-sure method where they somehow block your tubes by going in vaginally (under anesthesia) and it is less invasive yet just as effective. Ask you Dr. if this option is advisable.

You have got A LOT of advice here already. I just wanted to add that if you are already having heavy periods and you do not want another child they should consider doing an ablation on the lining of your uterus at the same time. They only do this if you are not planing other pregnancies however. I am struggeling with the same decision myself at this time. It is a hard one. Please consider something less permanet at the age of 26. I am 36 and I can't even say for sure if it the thing for me. After seeign your advice.... I think I am leaning towards and IUD myself. Good luck in what ever you choose

Hi C.,

I had the procedure done after my 4th child was born. I had discussed it with the doctor prior to her birth and he kept me in the hospital after her deliver to do it. He made two small cuts at my belly button and went in from there. I don't think I was sore from it, but I had just given birth (naturally, not c-section) so I don't know if I had some pain and just didn't notice it because of the birthing healing process. My periods are a little heavier, but only for the first couple days of it.

I hope that helps.

L.

Hi C.,
Congratulations on two beautiful kids. At 26 make sure having your tubes tied is what you and your husband really want. I had no physical after affects from my tubal 30 years ago. Emotional problems set in as I realized I could no longer have children. So we adopted.
Has your husband considered having a vasectomy?