Tubal Ligation - Los Angeles,CA

Hi M.,
My experience.....Complications? none, regrets 12 years later? yes
I had my son c section, then 2 years later had my daughter c section. We knew we couldn't afford any more children, so while they were "in there" anyway, I had my tubes tied. It was a breeze, I felt nothing different than the first c section. However, 9 years later I divorced my first husband and 3 years after that, married the man of my dreams. We wanted to have children together so badly, and after 3 failed in vitro attempts, finally gave up. We have been married 13 years now and have our first grand child, which is compensating for the child we desperately wanted together. I know no one wants to think they will ever get divorced, but it does happen and in my case, I had huge regrets about having the tubal. It is much easier, cheaper and safer for the man to have a vasectomy and more easily reversed if desired. Just another perspective and something to think about. Good Luck in your decision, Tracey

DONT DO IT! Research side effects - the doctors wont tell you a single one! They actually encourage tubals if you bring them up :( Had I known the effects I never would have had it done. The effects last about 2 years and are horrible. I have since learned female sterilization of any form is the worst thing you can do to your body. Have hubby get a vasectomy instead, you both will be very happy you did.
Good luck!

I had my tubes tied almost 6 years ago after my fourth child. I had a vaginal delivery so I had to go in for surgery the following day. It was done through my belly button and the area was sore for only about 2 or 3 days. I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago and they used the same incision and that seemed to hurt more. I think that due the fact that my uterus was contracting and the healing of the incision, it is all a blurr. It is kind of like childbirth. You will have pain for a few days but then you are fine and you forget about it. This time is it for good!!

I had my tubes tied after my last child. I had him Friday afternoon and had the tubes tied, through my belly button, on Saturday. I didn't have any problems other than an air bubble in my stomach that caused major pains. The nurses had me lie with my head down and legs up with compresses on my stomach and it went away. I don't know about having your tubes tied any other way, but the belly button was great. You can barely see my scar.

I have a son 6 months old and a daughter 23 months. I had a tubal ligation after our son 6 months ago. I had a c section, so since they were already "in there" I had it done at the time of birth. The recovery, FOR ME, was exactly the same as after the c section with my daughter. I am still breast feeding so I have started my period yet. I've heard that the cramps associated with your period can be a little more intense after having your tubes tied. Bad cramps are easier to take for me than having another baby that I know we couldn't handle :)

S. - Proud MOM of 2
http://www.ContentMommy.com

I had my tubes tied right after my c-section. The recovery was just fine....except that I had to have an emergency bowel obstruction surgery a week after delivery...totally unrelated to the tubal ligation.

But I will say that now my menstrual cramps are much more painful since having the tubal. Had I known about Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome I would have probably not gotten my tubal ligation. But given the fact that I have a high chance of uterine rupture, getting preggo would definitely be very risky for any baby I would have. So that's why we did the tubal after my c-section with DD.

So I would really research all the pros and cons of tubal ligation and really look at what PTLS is. I would say that if you have no medical reason to have a Tubal, don't. It is much less risky and there are way less bad symptoms if your hubby gets a vasectomy.

I just had my tubes tied after my last child was born 6 months ago. My epidural during my vaginal delivery never really was effective and I was eventually given a sedative which knocked me out. It was done about 30 minutes after I delivered my baby. I would've liked more time with my baby after she was born, but that's a whole other story. I didn't like waking up from the anesthesia; I was really groggy and didn't want my other children to see me like that. It wore off pretty quickly. The incision was small, but painful. It was difficult to reach over and get my baby from her bassinet in the hospital. The pain faded over the next couple of days and I left the hospital less than 24 hours after my surgery. It's been great to have it done - a real natural libido booster! God bless you. I wanted to add info about post tubal ligation syndrome. I researched it thoroughly and asked three different doctors about it. My first ob/gyn who did the surgery dismissed ptls as a psychological response to a woman's "misgivings" about the surgery in the first place. This didn't convince me that ptls didn't exist. The 3rd doctor I spoke with did acknowledge that it does exist, but is more common with tubals done years ago. They've since changed how the procedure is done so that ptls is much less likely. I did notice irregular periods after my baby was born and soon after, too, which is unusual. The bleeding is a little heavier, too. My new ob/gyn is having bloodwork done to check my hormones. He and I don't think that my irregular periods have anything to do with my tubal ligation, though.

I wanted a tubal with my third child - she was delivered c-section. I could not be done because the hospital I delivered in was a christian hospital. I did not want to go through surgery again after I healed so I had the essure procedure done. I was very quick, relatavely painless and covered by my insurance.

i had mine tied while i was still "open" from the c-section & it was a hard recovery, but worth it! gone are the days of pills/condoms, etc...since i'd never had a c-section or a tubal (obviously) before, i'm not sure if the discomfort i was feeling was from the tubal or not. although, i HAVE heard from 2 friends who had c-sections, then tubals LATER, that the tubal is harder to recover from than the c-section. i would say it took about 4 wks or so for me not to be in SOME form of discomfort/mild pain...ie: heavy cramping, feeling sharp pain on one side (where the tube is), tenderness at the incision site. just make sure you are resting (as much as humanly possible w/a new born)and basically not lifting anything heavier than your baby. you may also notice that your periods will be heavier & that you have discomfort "down there" during your period. i described it as "i feel like my uterus is going to fall out!"....lol...i realize that sounds scary, but its totally normal & your uterus will NOT fall out! congrats on gettin' your girl 8^)

M.,

I had a tubal ligation after giving birth. I had a baby on May 20,2007 and then another on April 10, 2008. Yes, I am crazy...not even a year apart. After the baby was born on April 10, by c-section, I had my tubal. I feel the recovery from that c-section was easier than my other 2. I have a 17 year old that was born by c-section also. In fact, she was the only one to not have any health problems and came home from the hospital with me, the youngest. I normally stayed in the hospital for 4 days afterwards, but, with her, I came home on the 3rd day. The nurses tried to get me to stay, but, I just wanted to get home. Now my first period after was the worst one I ever had, but, it was worth it. I did not go anywhere during that period. Best of Luck!

I had mine 6 weeks after birth and it was really painful lots and lots of cramping that day but the next day it was fine. Personally I would have done it right after birth since you already have some pain. But it's great to not have to worry about pregnancy anymore!

I also had a tubal with my third child. I signed the papers a couple of months before my expected due date. I am with a well known HMO and I had to take a class about the physical and mental aspects of a tubal. I thought the third pregnancy would be as easy as the first two but no, I had an emergency C Section (baby was 10 lbs 11 oz) and I reminded the surgeon I had signed the papers and it was on my records so he did it right after the C Section at the same time. I was totally knocked out as they did not have time to do a spinal. I had no side effects as far as the tubal went. I did get worried if my period was late for the first year, as this is the most likely time for a failure to occur. I had three pregnancy tests and they were all negative. After the first year, I didn't worry about it any more. It sure beats birth control!

My daughter did it that way with no problems whatsoever.

I did it along with my C section and it was just a few minutes longer in the OR, and done. As far as recovery I had a little different pain than with my previous 2 C sections, but nothing that was awful, and my recovery didn't seem any longer...
Good luck!
W.

Please research POST TUBAL LIGATION SYNDROME. I had a severe case of it and doctors do not like admitting that this can happen to women. The pain I experienced on a daily bases in both of my sides made life miserable. I also had very erratic long periods that came at anytime of the month, memory loss, I would get after my kids for no reason, I had no libido, and the list goes on and on and on. I had my tubes reversed (put back together) on February 29th of last year. That's something else doctors don't tell you. It IS a reversible procedure. My body and health is normal again. I felt a difference the second I woke up from my reversal surgery. You can actually feel the blood flowing through normally when your tubes are put back together. Please feel free to ask me any questions. We currently have a lawsuit against my OBGYN. They need to start putting these side effects in their literature. There are many other birth control options out there. I recommend looking into them first.

Take care,
D.

PS: We use condoms and hubby is going to get a vasectomy in a month. I am also done having babies.

Dear M.:

After researching this at length, my husband and I decided HE should get a vasectomy instead. I would still not do it. Most of my friends chose to go with vasectomies as well. Of the three who went with tubal ligations, two have had ectopic pregnancies (one was pretty bad) and my step-daughter is having a lot of problems with irregular periods. She told me she wouldn't do it if she had the choice to make again.

I think they're generally safe BUT vasectomies are safer. I felt I went through enough with pregnancies and childbirth to add one more risk.

Best wishes,

M.

I had this done the same day my son was born. Since I did not have a c-section, it was a separate surgery a few hours later. I had the option of being awake and just using the epidural. Due to a delay with the operating room, the epidural wore off so I used general anethesia. Afterwards, I am glad I did because I think I might have panicked being awake for it. I did get sick to my stomach as a side effect of the anethesia for a couple hours.
My incision was an inch below my belly button and the scar is about just over an inch long. Over time it has faded considerably. Depending what style swim suit you were, the scar may be covered.
As far as recovery, I was sore for a couple days because the incision goes through your tummy muscles. I was able to take Motrin for the pain even though I was nursing. Getting up and moving actually helped feel better. My incision was closed with staples and they were removed 10 days later in my drs. office (painless to take out).
If you are positive about no more kids, then I say go for it. It is very freeing not having to worry about any "surprises" or bc every day. Very glad I had it done. I have noticed no difference in my period, either.
Happy Pushing!