Considering Tubal Ligation

[chrysdrew]

We just had our third child. I was planning to have my tubes tied, but now I am a little worried. I feel sure we don't want to have any more children, but I am worried about the procedure. I was wondering if anyone else who has had the procedure could tell me how it is.

Also, I have a few friends who have done this who regret it.

I am 37, so I don't feel like I have a lot of years left to worry about unplanned pregnancy.

Help!!

 

[dogodisney]

I can't help you since DH and I decided it would be better for him to get done as it is less invasive and they have a quicker recovery. Not long after he had it done, our girls were acting up (I think they were fighting) and he looked at me and said....." I'd gladly go have it done again to make sure we can't have any more kids". That was several years ago and now our girls are 16 and soon to be 15 and they are still fighting!

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Ultimately this is a very personal choice. I had it done after DS was born and now suffer from Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome. Please take the time to google it and read about it. A vasectomy is definetely the safer choice.

 

[ashely612]

I had one over 3 years ago and am perfectly happy with my decision. Recovery time was minimal. We knew we were done after having 3 children and 2 miscarriages. I have not regretted it at all. I love the ages my kids are now. I love babies, but I think I'm too old to keep up with the demands of an infant. It's a personal decision for everyone, but for us it was the right one.

 

[SLK1]

I had mine done during my fourth c-section. I asked my doctor to please tie them in DOUBLE KNOTS to make sure no more babies would be created!!! I did not have any side effects at all, but any pain or side effects were just absorbed in the c-section pains! Good luck with your decision. And FYI, it's way easier for the hubby to do it. Mine never would have, but it IS easier on them.

 

[mickeyfan0805]

I can't help you since DH and I decided it would be better for him to get done as it is less invasive and they have a quicker recovery. Not long after he had it done, our girls were acting up (I think they were fighting) and he looked at me and said....." I'd gladly go have it done again to make sure we can't have any more kids". That was several years ago and now our girls are 16 and soon to be 15 and they are still fighting!

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

I simply want to echo this sentiment from a man's perspective. DW and I decided we were done having children and this was a no brainer for me. A quick non-invasive procedure in the doctor's office for a man or a fully sedated surgery for a woman - I could not ask my wife do to that. We took care of it on my end!

 

[mizzoumom]

I had mine tied 3 months after my daughter was born. I was sore for a few days but other than that no problems.

 

[Macduffy]

If "regret" is in your thought process maybe consider Mirena or a cooper IUD. I have one and LOVE it. We have two kids (what we planned) but you never know so I thought I'd buy myself 5 more years and then decide

It might just buy you a few years so your kids are older and your recovery won't be as detrimental to the family

Good Luck!

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I was also always concerned about having it done, worried that i may change my mind someday or if something happened in my life would i want another child etc. etc, but once i hit 35 i knew i would never start again thru giving birth (i have 2 bio children and one adopted son 7 yrs when we got him) so i went and had it done and do not regret it at all.

I also felt like hubby should have to go thru that and not me, but there was no way he was going to do it, so i got tired of waiting and scared of an accidental pregnancy so off i went....

It was not bad at all, in the hospital in the am, went for surgery (quick) in the recovery room and leaving the hospital 3 hours later when i was up and moving and feeling okay. I had some minor discomfort for a few days but that was all.

Good luck with what ever you decide.......

 

[Disneyliscious]

I had it done in 2005 and I have 3 words to describe the after-effects:

IT IS WONDERFUL

 

[Bren's Mom]

Post-tubal ligation syndrome was a concern for me as well and my dh and I discussed that when making our decision. He felt as one of the pps did, that he should have a vasectomy instead since it is a much less invasive procedure with less potential side affects. I'm 38, he's 44.

If you are thinking you might want another I'd recommend an IUD for now and hold off on the permanent procedures.

 

[mjkacmom]

Is there anything preventing your DH from getting a vasectomy? That was our plan, but I ended up having to have a c/s with my twins, so I had the tubal. My gf had it done, and she was surprised at how uncomfortable the recovery was. A vasectomy is a lot less invasive than a tubal.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I had mine done when my youngest was just over 1 year old - on my oldest dd's 21st birthday. The procedure was quick and easy and the recovery time was quick. Mine was done on Friday afternoon and I returned to work on Monday - was a little sore but not bad at all.

 

[DISNEYNV]

After having two kids three years apart DH didn't want anymore children. I would have loved a third, but am 35 so decided it would be best to stop having kids. DH had a vasectomy done on Fathers Day (it was his best fathers day gift ever). He was fine after a day of recovery!!!

 

[LWatson]

I was drawn to this post this morning because Ironically I'm headed to my OBGYN today for "preop" for my "sterilization". I was in the position last week where I couldnt decide between which procedure of the 2 available to women to get done. I ultimately decided that even though it takes 3months for the Essure procedure to fully complete that it was better for us. I dont know if you are familiar w/ the Essure or not, but if you arent and would like more info please feel free to PM me. Its an in office procedure that doesnt require you to be cut open at all.

For me the reason I couldnt decide between Tubal Lig and Essure is because I know 200% that I am done having kids and I dont want to chance it. With the tubal its automatic...NO MORE. With the Essure your body takes 3 months to complete the process, but like I said b4...NO "surgery" and you can take 3months of BC. I'm opting for that simply because I've already had one abdominal surgery this year I dont know if my body will like another esp when I'm acting like a single parent at the time.

Just please be sure sure sure that you are done b4 you do anything because even tubal reversals arent always guaranteed to work.

 

[DISNEYNV]

After having two kids three years apart DH didn't want anymore children. I would have loved a third, but am 35 so decided it would be best to stop having kids. DH had a vasectomy done on Fathers Day (it was his best fathers day gift ever). He was fine after a day of recovery!!!

 

[NMB2009]

The after effects painful ovalation. I had it done 2003 during c-section. In 2007 I had a tubal pregnacy. I almost died my tube and ovry bursted and I was bleeding to death. As hard as that was it happen all over again in the fall 2008. The tubal was done by cutting two inches from each side then burned. I was the 1% you never think it will happen until you are the 1. I long for my babies that i never planned but loved . I pray this year will be better. My life has been turned upside down and I am having a hard time understanding everything that has happen. thank you for you time

 

[susykt4]

My husband had a vasectomy at his regular doctor's office. His family doc's partner specializes in them and he was in and out in an hour or two. No big deal. No regrets.

 

[kevschickee]

I just wanted to say good luck with any choice you make. DH and I have decided he will get snipped. We really didn't have much of a choice because my OB/GYN uses a catholic hospital and they aren't allowed to be done there.

 

[Joyful3Heart]

The after effects painful ovalation. I had it done 2003 during c-section. In 2007 I had a tubal pregnacy. I almost died my tube and ovry bursted and I was bleeding to death. As hard as that was it happen all over again in the fall 2008. The tubal was done by cutting two inches from each side then burned. I was the 1% you never think it will happen until you are the 1. I long for my babies that i never planned but loved . I pray this year will be better. My life has been turned upside down and I am having a hard time understanding everything that has happen. thank you for you time

I have a friend who experienced a tubal pregnancy 6 months after tubal ligation. This inspired me to look into the risks/benefits of tubal ligation vs vasectomy. I can tell you that even the thought of something like the above happening swayed both of us to opt for vasectomy.
Imagine my doctors surprise when after 2.5 days (yes, I said days) of labor for my 3rd child I refused a tubal during the eventual c-section. We had told him many times that this was our last child. That is how certain we were that vasectomy was the better option. Blessings.