Tubal Ligation for Women Who Have Only Given Birth Vaginally

Updated on December 12, 2014
A.M. asks from Conroe, TX
14 answers

I am pregnant with my fourth child and my husband and I are sure
that this will be our last. I have been doing research on TL and have
become very afraid of the whole process. I had the IUD mirena for 2
and half years and I was very unhappy with it. I had hot flashes, episodes
of extreme sweating headaches before my cycle I was just a mess. I took
birth control after my second child and it made me moody and I didn't feel
like myself. I was wondering if women who have only delivered vaginally;
if they have had a different experience with there tubal vs. women
who have delivered via C-section. I know when you have a C-section
you are left internally with a lot of scar tissue and my mother had three and it
caused problems with her and she had a TL. I have my first doctors appointment
tomorrow and im nervous to see my obgyn because she didn't want to remove
my mirena. She wanted me to get a tubal after my third and I sort of want to go
in prepared for what sort of birth control measure I want to use because I know
she will bring it up. I am a little afraid of her reaction, though I think it would be
unprofessional that she act upset with my pregnancy as it is my child and the work
to raise it will be my husband and mines. Sorry a lot of babbling...im just a bit nervous
also im not sure if it matters but im 26 will be 27 in feb.

Thank you for any info!!!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Update:

Thank you every one for you comments:

I had my first baby appointment with my obgyn, and it wasn't even as bad as I built
it up to be. She didn't even say anything to me, so everything went well on that end.
I did tell her im going to do the tubal, and yes you'd think it would be fair that my husband
had a vasectomy, but he unfortunately refuses to "cut his manhood" as he puts it.

Also someone asked why my doctor would react that way and if there was something
I left out, i am hpv positive and with the strain that causes cervical cancer, i go to the
obgyn every 6 month to have it checked out but it has been fine since i found out i had
it in 2006. When i got my mirena out she told me not to, only mentioning i already had
three kids so that's where i based my fears of her saying something to me about
the pregnancy. Im still nervous about the tubal but im tired of birth control.

Thank you to everyone who wrote me!!!

Featured Answers

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

You are 26 and on #4? Wow.

If I were you, I would have hubby get snipped and I would still get my tubes tied.

I knew after 1 child we were complete and hubby got snipped when she was about 2 and I stayed on bcp until my complete hysterectomy just to make certain there were no oopsies.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Chicago on

after three natural births, hubby got a vasectomy. It's the least he could do.

Have hubby get clipped. Mine was able to drive himself to the doctors office, it took 5 minutes. And that was that. He went back for testing, but it was no big deal.

7 moms found this helpful

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

1. Have your husband get a vasectomy. Haven't your lady parts done enough? A vasectomy is a far less invasive, less painful procedure.

2. Find a new OB who will respect your choice not to use hormonal birth control and who won't judge your pregnancy. Why is she pressuring you to have a TL so much? I'd get a different doctor.

ETA: I wouldn't touch Essure with a 50 foot pole. No way. I've read articles regarding complications that are just too scary.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Boston on

...and why can't your husband have a vasectomy? Seems like it's time for him to take one for the team, then you don't have to worry about pregnancy, hormonal birth control, or post-tubal issues.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I had a tubal after my third. All 3 were vaginal births. I haven't regretted it for one single second.

I have had few to zero "issues" after having had my tubes tied and the fact I will NEVER get pregnant again has made my life complete.

The bottom line is if you NEVER want to be pregnant again (EVER) then a tubal ligation is a viable option. It has risks sure ... but so does breathing. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? They did for me (cause lets face it one of the big complaints of tubals is early menopause ... hello ... I'm DONE having kids ... what do I even need a uterus for, let alone a period?).

Good luck with your decision.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Normally I would say for the husband to get a vasectomy, but considering your age and # of kids I think I would go with the TL.

Is there a reason the doctor would act upset? What does she know about your life to pass judgement?

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Portland on

Your are so young, but I understand being done after 4. I personally think you need another doctor who you don't have to worry about what she is going to say/do to you.

Before getting a Tubal, please do a lot of research on Tubal Ligation Syndrome. It is REAL!!! Please don't think that this doesn't come with any side effects, because it does. A lot of women have tons of problems afterwards until it is either reversed or they have a hysterectomy.

This is a site to look at to start. http://tuballigation.org/top-50-symptoms-of-post-tubal-li....

I don't know what the best answer will be for you, but look into it more and talk to a doctor that will isten.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Austin on

I have 4 children. Several years after my 4th child, I had a tubal.

Very easy recovery. A couple days rest, and that was probably it. (This was 15+ years ago, and I think I was around 40 at the time.)

As far as I know, it has not caused any complications.

ETA: My husband originally volunteered to have a vasectomy, but ultimately, he chickened out. After I was sweating it out one month with a very late period, I went in, made the appointment for me, and had it done about a week later! Whew!! No more worries!

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

If you have it done after delivering your next child you'll probably have a mini-lap.

http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/tubal-ligation-and...

Your husband could get a vasectomy whether you get your tubes tied or not.
If you guys are a super fertile couple - it's probably a good idea.

Believe me, your doctor has seen it all.
I wouldn't worry about her reaction and if she does react unprofessionally, then you fire her and get another doctor.
There are women who've had 10+ kids - I've got to wonder how THEIR doctors took it.

1 mom found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I second Essure.
I had it done 3 years ago with no issues. No surgery, 30 minutes in the chair (or they can do it while you deliver #4), test 3 months later to make sure you're blocked, and viola. No more babies.
You'll find a lot of horror stories on the web about it. You will also find that about birth control in general as well as tubals. Remember that MOST people have great experiences with all of it and are fine.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Cleveland on

I'm going to suggest looking into paraguard iud. It's a non hormonal birth control goes in to the uturis but has hardly any side effects besides heavier periods and cramping for a few months.

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

you need a new OB. there's no way she should be passing judgment on you, and it bugs me mightily that you are actually nervous about her reaction.
you sign her paycheck. she works for you. fire her.
as for the TL, you're awfully young, but i can see how 4 is a great number and despite your youth, being ready for it. but seriously- why not have your dh man up and take care of it? no hormone faffing about OR surgery for you. it's a small, quick matter for him, and your body has worked hard enough already.
khairete
S.

M.B.

answers from Beaumont on

You have been through enough. Your husband needs a vasectomy if ya'll do not want any more children. It is an easy, fast procedure.
It is his turn.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I think age 26 is very young for permanent pregnancy prevention. You still have about 20 years of ability to produce more children if you change your mind.

Keeping that in mind that could be what's influencing your doc. Most people in their 20's are likely to decide at some point in the future they want more children.

One of my friends had this happen. She had a couple of wonderful children and they felt done too then her husband died.

She remarried before she turned 30 to a man who'd never married. He really really wanted to have children and loved hers as much as if they were his own but due to her not being able to have more children he wasn't ever able to have his own. She felt horrible for a long time, every time he'd look at his friends and their kids you could see a shadow of grief flash over his face. He never said anything but she knew.

I think you have to decide this and if you're really done, regardless of having a husband or not that you will never be pregnant again no matter who you're with then it's time to be permanent with it.

Consider the Nuva Ring as an option before surgery. It's an outside source of birth control. You put it inside your vagina and it works in that area. Since it's not in your system internally as much as a pill it often has many less side effects. If he feels it during intercourse you can even take it out then out it back in when you're done.

If you want permanent birth control then the Essure Procedure is really effective if your doc knows what they're doing. They go up the tube with a spring like device that is coated in a medication that promotes cellular growth. It basically causes your tube to grow it's own plug. They go back in and test it in a few months. Using dye to see where it goes. If it goes beyond the plug it's not done growing stuff yet. If the dye stops at the plug and won't go further then it's done.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions