Wondering About Getting My Tubes Tied.

I had my tubes tied 15 years ago and have never had any trouble with cramping or heavy bleeding. I've never regretted my decision, but I knew I was done having children.

I have worked in the medical field and have more friends than I can count who have had their tubes tied. All have experienced heavy bleeding that lasted 7 to 10 days with cramps after having their tubes tied. Many regret it because of what they have endured. It's so much easier for the hubby to have a V. It's an out patient proceedure and a lot simplier with no side effects. Also if you do a little research it is not reccomended to have your tubes tied during cesareans. It's a lot more convenient for the Drs and you at the time but it's less effective when done during that time. Hope this helps.

Have your husband get the V. It is an outpatient procedure that requires a bag of ice for a day. It is so much more simple than what we have to go through.

I did get my tubes tied after the birth of our second son in 2006. I am really glad I did because we are done but I have had terrible cramps since. There are more cramps in my legs and even my arms than normal cramps. My sister also had her tubes tied and said her cramps got much worse. So if your husband is willing I would go with that. I did have bad cramps before but not like this. Hope that helps some. I did not have any problems right after getting my tubes tied it really was not that big of a deal since I was having a C-Section anyway, which I think is much better than the natural way.

I had a tubal when my son was born almost 10 years ago. I never had another "normal" period after that. I wasn't bothered by cramps, but the heavy bleeding and clotting was terrible!! My sister-in-law and a few friends that have had tubals have the same stories. I would sit down for 20 minutes and just gush when I got up. I had to quit going some places for fear of bleeding all over everything.

If I had a choice now, I would send my husband. Sorry to have such a negative outlook, but this was my experience. Good luck with whatever you choose.

If you are already having a c-section then there is no difference in pain or bleeding. After I had my second child with a c-section I had my tubes tied and it only took a few minutes to do. Recovery for me was no different than my first c-section and your going to feel more of the pain from the c-setion than the tubes tied. Like someone else said everyone and every pregnancy is different. I finally had a period 5 months after my baby was born and I will admit it was a little heavier than usual but it also might have something to do with it had been over a year since my last one and I had been storing up, so it might just be temperary and over time will get better. Your husband might also have it done too, just to be on the safe side. My Dr. told me I could be more proned to tubal pregnancies and I have heard of women having their tubes tied and still getting pregnant. Ultimately it is up to you and only you can make the right decision. Good luck and best wishes on your upcoming new arrival.

Hi D.,
I've not had my tubes tied, but I just had to chime in. I just have to say... Why do WE always have to go through the "procedures"??? Ok SURE you will already be in surgery, but there is a big difference in the two procedures. One involves an ICE PACK for a DAY, the other heavy bleeding for possibly a week after and possibly heavy monthly bleeding.

Sorry JMO but I guess it strikes a nerve LOL!!!

Good luck to you in whatever choice you make, and congrats on your new bundle.

D.,

I had my tubes tied with my 5th child, I had to have an emergency C-Section and told the doctor I wanted it done while they were doing the c-section. I had no problems what-so-ever and did not regret it! I found out when I was pregnant with the 5th one that birth control pills were not nor should have ever been an option for me due to other medications that wiped out the effectiveness of the pill! Not the time you want to learn that, but it sure explained everything! LOL!! My ex-husband had his vasectomy done and guess what we have a son who was born after that! I know they have changed a lot of things since then because as someone else posted my kids are grown, youngest is turning 21 in May!

If it were up to me I would do it all over again because I didn't worry about the pill any longer! It was done and over with and I never could tell the difference, my periods were not any different after that. I think it is a matter of choice and a decision we all face, but I have no regrets!

I had my tubes tied 8 weeks ago. This was my 3rd c-section so comparing to my other c-sections it was no different. I may have bled for a week longer. I stopped bleeding at 5-6 weeks with my first two and it was about 7 weeks for this last one. There was no more cramping or heavier bleeding than my previous c-sections. Although we plan on getting my husband taken care of also just to be sure there are no accidents, I would have no hesitations in telling someone to get thier tubes tied if they were already having a c-section. If they were not having a c-section I would probably say to have the husband get a vasectomy. Vasectomies are outpatient surgeries now with very little pain.
I have not started my periods yet since I am breastfeeding so I'm not sure if they will be affected yet.

I had my second child at 24 & had him vaginally & still had my tubes tied. I went straight to surgery after delivery. I knew I could not have anymore children if I wanted to (financially). The recovery wasn't that bad (think in the line of a c-section & vaginal delivery)& as far as the periods go, mine were no different than before & over the last 8 years - I'm 32 now, have become shorter & shorter (for whatever reason I don't know). I know other moms who have had the procedure & they haven't complained about any problems. Since you are already "in surgery" there's not much to the procedure itself.

I have always hated the idea of 'permanently' ending the means of getting pregnant. But, that's just me. Because you never know when you will change your mind, and regret it. It's a lot like having a tattoo....LOL! Anyway, I use the IUD Mirena. It lasts for approximately 5 years, and you can get it replaced. Most women don't even have periods or pain (or just light spotting every now and then). I have had very good luck with it. It just cost me $25 (of course that was my copay through insurance). That is just my suggestion, good luck in whatever you decide.

I had my tubes tied last July after my son was born after a C-section. I haven't had any problems, just my regular type of periods. I was going to have my husband get a vascotomy since this was our last but since I was having a c-section and they were already in there, I just had it done. Also, instead of insurance paying for 2 procedures and cost us extra (we pay 10%).
Hope this helps.
D.

I got my tubes tied when my daughter was about 2 months old. I breastfeed so it took quite a while for my periods to come back, but I haven't had any problems. It did feel like I had a bad stomach ache for about a week, but if you get it done with a C-section, yu won't feel any worse than if you just had the c-section. It's so nice knowing that I don't have to take birth control anymore, I think it was screwing with my body too much.

Good luck with the new baby!!

I had my tubes tied AND my husband got fixed as well. We have 2 boys and a girl and I absolutely did not want to worry about having more! :) Anyhow, I did have some cramping and bleeding for the first week after the procedure. I did experience more cramping and bleeding with each period thereafter but it got progressively better and now I have absolutely no cramping and the bleeding is pretty normal. I would not worry about it, each person is different and I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck! :)

I just had my 3rd baby on march 7. Me and my husband made the decision that he was going to be our last one also and i did have my tubes tied. I havent experienced any problems yet and i hope i dont. the only thing that is still bothering me is that i am still a little sore when i touch my stomach. i dont know if that is normal or not. it is totally up to you on what you do but if you guys dont want anymore it is probably a good descision to have you tubes done. I have never had a c-section either but my recovery from having my tubes tied was quick and easy. I didnt bleed that much either. I quit bleeding at like 4 to 5 weeks compared to the 5 to 6 weeks with my other too. good luck on the new baby in june!

Gee, after reading some of the other replys, I feel like a real old timer!!! After I had my 3rd son in 5 years, I decided it was time to do something!! My son is now 37 years old, and I have never had any regrets. My recovery was very simple, no harder than after having any simple surgery, and my periods never changed. In later years I was diagnosed with fibroid tumors, but the doctor said there was no connection to my tubal. I had a much easier time going through menepause than my Mother did, but that might have been a coincidence. Life had been good, and I have JUST the right number of children!!! Get the tubal, it is permanent, and you don't have to depend on anyone else to take care of your protection!! Good luck.

I am so glad you asked this! :) I am pregnant with our third and also done at this point. We are investigating our options (tubal vs. vasectomy) currently. We want to make a decision that will have the least side effects for my husband and I. Most of my friends who have had a tubal have said the only side effect is cramping and heavy bleeding, but neither of those things seem easy to live with. I also have one friend who says she lost interest in having sex too. We have heard that vasectomy increases a man's chance for prostate cancer, so we are weighing our options. I am not due until October so we have some time to visit with our doctors still. I have not had a C-section in the past, and we are not planning one this time, but one never knows do they! :)

Good luck with your decision!

I was thinking about the same thing with my last one and my doctor gave me the best advice. He said that if you are having ANY doubts whatsoever about it, don't do it! While you are pregnant your emotions and thought processes are totally different then when you are not. The worse thing that can happen is that you will get it done and then in a couple of months or even years, you will regret that you can't have another baby. This happens a lot. If your husband is will, the V is a much easier procedure not only to perform but to recover from. I would wait until at least a year after your baby is born though to make sure that is what you really want. There are a lot of long term birth control options that you can talk to your doctor about that don't have to be so permenant.

Hello, I had my tubes tied about 5 years ago. I waited almost a year after my son was born. There was a little discomfort for couple of days but other than that all was fine. As for my periods go it was great mine were lighter and did not last as long, I went from heavy for about 5 days to light for about 3 days. This lasted for about 2 years then they went back to a little heavy and back to 5 days. Cramping has not been to much of a issue, I do have them just not to bad. Only thing I do not like about having the tubal is the scare of tubal pregnancy, and the complications that comes with that. Good luck on your decision and congrads on baby!

Both of the alternatives you have mentioned are extremes. There are other things you can do that aren't as extreme or as final. Just be sure you are sure before taking a step like that.