Tubal Ligation - Thinking about doing it...?

Question

I am 35 have 3 children. I am married for 9 years. Our first has mild special needs just needs to watch his calorie intake like most people but a little more strictly. We were blessed this was all it was. I've had 3 cesctions. Our other children are typical They are ages 2 years and the other is 9 months. I am very busy but love it. I always thought I wanted a 4th baby. But this month I was late by a week and it wasn't like the other times. I've reached closure on having babies and growing our family in this way. SO, can I have one now without having a csection at the same time. IS it hard to undergoe the procedure? How long will I be out of commission? Will I not be able to lift things and are there any harmful effects from doing this. I chose to to use common birth control because of the health risks and I just dont want to chance anything.
Thanks.

Answer 1

I recently had a tubal ligation. I have a 4 month old daughter and she is my 4th child after having 3 boys. My middle boy has Down Syndrome so I know how you feel with having a special needs child. I did not have any c-sections. My doctor decided to do my tubal at my 6 weeks checkup after having the baby. Recovery wasn't too bad though. I mean, it hurt to bend over to tie my shoes and things like that. I had a minor problem with my tubal. The stitches are supposed to dissolve, but mine did not completely do so. The stitch actually came up through the small incision in my naval and they had to pull it up and cut it. Now that was painful, but it healed after that. So my healing time was about a month or so. But I was still able to function and take care of my children the whole time.

Answer 2

You can have it done in most instances as an out-patient procedure. You'd be in the hospital for about 6-8 hours, barring any unforeseen complications.

Its done via laperoscopy and two small incisions (one just above the public line and one inside the navel) typically under general anesthesia.

Physical at-home rest is 3-4 days, so you might want to schedule it for a Thursday or Wednesday so your husband could take a few days off to be with your infant, since you'd be in no condition to run after him in the first 36-48 hours.

You may also have some local pain, swelling, & bruising for up to a week, and perhaps a slight case of constipation. Other than that, you should be good to go within a few days.

I would recommend scheduling an appointment with your gynecologist and asking for a referral, then talking all the pros & cons out with the surgeon.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Yes you can have this procedure done w/o having a Csection. I am going to have one after I give birth this time. You may want to consider asking your husband to have a vasectomy, it is easier, cheaper, and less invasive and painful. A vasectomy is done right in the doctors office, a tubal is considered major surgery as you will be under general anesthesia and recovery at a hospital. They both have the same success rate (as long as he goes back and leaves a sample for testing). It is a choice for you both to consider, so do some research, maybe internet first, then ask a doctor about the pros and cons of each procedure, and decide together. But be sure to remind your hubby that you carried and birthed all of the babies...maybe it's HIS turn to do something (hint hint) LOL.

Answer 4

Usually a same day procedure. Won't be out of commission long. Go ahead and do it don't risk an "oops". I plan to have mine done at the end of the year , so I can build up my sick time and take a couple days off work. I have three and definitely don;t want anymore. I'm trying to convince my husband to get a vasectomy "he is scared", but I'm more scared about having number four, so I guess I better do it. Looking forward to it , freedom no more worries about birth control.

Answer 5

Keep in mind that your periods may become heavier along with your flow. 6-8 weeks before you can have sex and about 3 weeks before you feel normal. I was off work for 1 week and felt okay.