Tubal Ligation - Broken Arrow, OK

My doctor (and many of my friends' doctors) wouldn't schedule the surgery following delivery. You had to schedule this as another procedure later. I had this done when our daughter was about 8 mos. old and was surprised how great things went. They do it through the belly button and no scar remains shortly afterwards. They recommend no lifting for a few days over a light limit which is hard with a little one, but it all works out and you just don't overdo it. I didn't know about the bleeding afterwards so you needs pads, etc. and that lasts for a short while. Take one to the hospital with you. My doctor said no to tampons during that recovery time. It is out-patient and we were there early and home before lunch time with me being very sleeping the entire rest of the day. I loved not worrying about birth control after it was over!! My periods haven't changed at all.

H.,
After reading your question, my gut feeling was to tell you to wait. I recommend doing a little more research before you have the procedure. Your comment that you would love to have more, but are ready to stop sent a signal that you are internally conflicted. I am not trying to read between the lines, but simply responding from personal experience.

After being marriend for 17 years and 4 wonderful children, my husband and I went our separate ways. I have now met the most wonderful man, who loves me very much. I see a wonderful future with him. However, it involves no children of his own since I am no longer able to have any. He would make a wonderful father! I am not ruling out adoption at this time, but I would love nothing more than to be able to have a child with him.

I don't want you to think that I am in any way doubting your relationship with your husband. As I didn't doubt mine those many years ago. But please weigh out all of the other options, since often times this procedure is a final one. Give yourself time to enjoy your baby without the added worry of the surgery, and its effects on your health and your baby's. It is a simple enough procedure that you can have it done when your child is a little older and you can rest assured that you have made the right decision for yourself.

Good luck to you and your family! keep me posted!

I had a tubal ligation but it was done the same day of delivery. I had an epidural and once the baby was delivered the doctor performed the tubal and no more sedation was needed. I also breastfeed all three of my children. I had this done after my third child and there was no more pain from the tubal. It was the normal discomfort after giving birth. The tubal did not interfere with me nursing. I was 22 years old when this was done. Nothing change with my periods nor did I have any type of complication due to having the tubal.

There are several ways of having a tubal that is quick and recovery time is short. The doctor performed the laproscopic procedure: a very small incision in the bikini area about 1/2 inch in length to due the tubal. I had mines cut, ends burnt and then tied.

I hope this help you. Please remember everybody is different and have different affects on their body.

From personal experience I would not have a tubal ligation. I had one after my third son and my husband was allowed to stay in the room and hold the baby the whole time. I nursed fine afterward but my doctor went through the belly button. I was soar but not any more so than normal after a baby. However, my periods became unbearable and I eventually had to have a hysterectomy. I have spoken to several other women who have had the same complications. If I had to do it over I would not have the tubal but that is just my experience. Good Luck in whatever you choose to do.

I had one immediately following a c-section with my second. I was able to nurse her later that day. My problem came with the periods, not so much with cramping but the bleeding has picked up. Also, the cycles are different from month to month. It might be a 23 day cycle one month and 25 the next so I really have to be alert to the signs where I wasn't before because I was on the pill.

H.,
I had mine done the day after I had Dixie. I had an epadural because I done like being put to sleep. My husband stayed with her while I was in surgury. I had no problems breast feeding her. Was a LOT more sore after the surgery and took longer to recove (about a week til I could move around good) Did not change my cycle in the least bit.

H. A.

All I can say is that I had my tubal at 6 weeks out, and that was quits for my breastfeeding. Before that, she was taking about 6-8 ozs every 2 hrs (I know, she was draining me). I waited about 24 hrs after the surgery to feed her again, after attempted pumping to expel the anesthesia, and that was my first mistake (evidently meds are at their peak in the milk at 24hrs). She fell asleep and didnt wake up for over 8 hours. Nothing I did would rouse her. I was borderline freaking and ready to hit the ER when she did. I had about a gallon stored in the freezer at that time that I started giving her, but by the time I was comfortable feeding her again, it just wasnt working.
My advice would be to wait until you're done breastfeeding to do it, to avoid possible complications.
The procedure is simple and quick - but wax beforehand instead of shaving. TRUST ME. You have to leave the dressing on for 10 days, and by then things start getting a little pokey and chafey. Congrats on the new babe :}

I think I can help you out here. I have three kids, and the last two were by c-section. When I had my 3rd daughter the spinal didn't work and they had to un-expectantly use general anesthesia. I woke up in recovery (I was out about 45 minutes) and when I woke they immediately handed me my daughter and I nursed her on the spot. Of course my husband stood next to me just in case because I was a little woozy. So as far as nursing there shouldn't be any problems. My mom had a tubal and she says periods and menopause were no different.

There's a new thing called Ensure that is suppose to be better than a tubal,thats what im going to do when my IUD comes out. they block the tubes off its done in the office no drugs in and out. they did it on the TV show The Doctors and the lady said it was great no pain, you might check into this. Good luck!

My tubal was done immediately after the birth of my third child. I had an epidural so I didn't feel a thing. They went through my belly button. So if there was additional pain, I didn't notice since it immediately after the birth.

The only change is the first three days of my cycle are very heavy, but other than that, it was nothing major.

I didn't breastfeed so I don't have a comment there.

I was 30 when I had my third child.

I didnt have it done- but my friend did. She had 3 kids also. She said her periods became painful and more heavy bleeding since then. She also kinda went thru a depressed state knowing there was no way she could ever get pregnant again- but her husband has his ability to produce. She kinda wanted another baby- but that hard part was just knowing she could never have one. If you dont want anymore- i guess go ahead. But, u are still pretty young. Maybe do something less permanent.

I had mine done a few weeks after my daughter was born. It only took about 3 hours from the time they took me back for prep. until we were leaving to go home. I was very drowsy for several more hours and my daughter did have to eat again before I woke up well enough to feed her. I have not had any problems with my tubes since (4 yrs ago), but I did have a spotty monthly cycle for 2 months until everything inside got back to normal.
Good luck and congrats on the new little angel.

J.

Hi H.,
Congratulations on your 3 children! I have not had a tubal personally, but will tell you what I know as a breastfeeding Mom and surgery nurse at a woman's hospital where we do a lot of tubals. First of all, statitically, tubals done just after delivery have the highest failure rate. Tubals done at 6 weeks postpartum have the lowest failure rate. Those done at other times are in between. So your best bet for success is 6 weeks postpartum. However, I would think as a mom that it would interfere with breastfeeding at such a critical time for that. You would definitely not be able to nurse for 24 hours. The surgery itself only takes about 10-15 minutes, and the anesthesiologist can change some of the drugs they use since you are breastfeeding, but it is still not safe for the baby.
On another note, you mention that you would like to have more children, but are ready to stop. I would STRONGLY urge you to reconsider doing something so permanent if you are not 110% sure. Others have offered good advice on this as well. What about an IUD, or other forms of birth control, AT LEAST until you stop nursing, but maybe for a few years until you are sure? The Essure procedure that was mentioned is a great alternative to a tubal, and very promising (I might go that route one day), but is also permanent, and fairly new, so I personally would wait for there to be some longer-term study results from it. Also, it would be WAY less risky and less complicated for your husband to have a vasectomy. If he is not willing to do this, then he really cannot expect you do do it either.
I just know too many people that regret having a tubal, and later consider tubal re-anastomosis or in vitro fertilization to have another baby. Both of these options are very expensive and much less likely to result in pregnancy than if you had just held off on the tubal.
I wish you the best in making this decision!

I had my third and final baby in March. I had a tubal the next day and it was fine. My husband kept the baby in the hospital room while I was in surgery. I was in and out of surgery in like 30 minutes. The worse part was I had to be put to sleep. It made my mouth very dry and my throat sore. They were going to leave my epideral in and just boost it for the surgery but I had complications with my epideral. My belly button area was a little tender but nothing bad. My belly button area was also bruised for a couple of weeks. I would highly recommend it. My periods are back to normal but I am sure everybody is different when it comes to that. Good Luck!!

H., in the long run it will be easier for your husband to get vasectomy he will never have an complications on the other hand you will not be able to pick anything up for a week or so; your body produces eggs they have no place to go so they the blood build up on their end will turn hard as cement. you will cramp really bad like I said in the long run it will be easier if your husband get fixed he will recoup in three days. I know I was in allot of pain for 16 years before I had to have a hysterectomy

Hi H., I had a tubal the same day as my delivery, and things worked out just fine. It took a long time for me to wake up, but all was safe, and I hurt tremendously. I would not do anything any different though! The nursery took great care of her while I was out and she came to nurse asap. I did not prevent me from nursing at all, your milk won't come in for a few days anyway. The surgery doesn't last that long, the recovery time is longer than the surgery. My baby is 13 now and having the tubal was the best decision after three little ones. I don't have any worse cramping than I normally did before the surgery. Good Luck, and God Bless you and your little ones.

I had a tubal ligation after my 3rd baby. I had a c-section and they did it while I was already on the table, but as soon as I got in my room I was able to nurse and did it successfully. As far as periods afterwards, for awhile mine was not regular but after about 6-8 months they became regular again. My cramps are not as bad as before and sometimes I don't even have them. Hope this helps you.

hey H. first let me congradulate you on the new arrival. i also had my tubes tied the day after i had my 3rd child. i could have had it done the same day as having her but i went to the maternity ward quit unexpectedly. i had a dr appointment at 8 am and was having trouble with carpal tunnel so was going to get some braces for my wrists or so i thought. dr figured out i was in the first stages of pre ecclampsia so decided to admit me. well hadnt anything to eat since the night before so when they asked me if i wanted to have it done after having her at nearly 5 pm i said can we do it in the morning? they said that is ok. well i had it done the next morning. i was not sedated to where i was out, they gave me a local anestetic, took maybe 15 to 20 minutes total. i was able to breast feed her 2 hours later. i also made sure i feed her BEFORE the surgery so thart she would be able to make it till i was done and ready for her. no ill side effects with periods, or anything else. you will want to take it easy for about a week to make sure your totally healled DO NOT PUSH YOURSELF. also you can either send your baby to the nursery and your husband can go get a break if needed, trust me he may want to do that while your in surgery becasue the baby will call all the shots for awhile. or he can stay in the room with her, surgery shoulnt take more than 30 minutes. hope this helps and good luck keep us posted