Failed Tubal's

[Pinkprincessmom]

It seems like I remember seeing a thread here where some women were talking about failed tubal's. I'm currently 35 years old and pregnant with my second child. My oldest DD will be almost 7 when this one arrives. I've asked my OB about doing a tubal if I have to have a c-section. (I do not want a c-section, but figure if he's in there anyway he can take care of things). He said he would, but generally, if a tubal is going to fail, it's the one done right after birth. He said they work better if you wait until everything heals and returns to normal size.

I read somewhere else that it was the way the procedure was done. Something about cutting, then burning, then tying.

So here I am doing my own research. Why do you think yours failed...was it done too soon after delivery or was it done incorrectly. I'm going to try and put a poll with this.

Thanks so much for your input.

 

[Pinkprincessmom]

Bumping back to page 1

 

[EthansMom]

I haven't had my tubal fail, but I thought I'd share my experience with tubal ligation.

I had my tubes tied a year ago December. It was a out-patient procedure done at the hospital. My gyn explained that the risk of pregnancy after a tubal was very low since she cauterizes the tubes (cut, tied, cauterized, if I recall correctly). I had quite a bit of pain/discomfort in my abdominal muscles for a few days afterwards... my MIL came over and took care of me and the kids (DH had some important meetings and couldn't get off work) and that really helped out. I wasn't expecting the hormonal ups and downs that I experienced for 1-2 weeks afterwards (pretty much like a bad case of PMS emotionally for a couple weeks)... not sure if that was due to the tubal or to the fact that I stopped taking BC pills at the that time.

I have two small scars.. one just below my belly button and one toward the top of my pelvic area. I think my insurance covered all but about $500 of the procedure.

It was well worth it... I've been very happy with the results.

 

[tiff211]

I did not have a failed one but got mine tied in 2005 after I had #4! So far so good, I still get nervous though and try to "shoo" DH away during my fertile time, just in case.

I would have had mine down right after but my ob was on vacation when I gave birth so I went and had it done 2 months later. My OB said it's best to have it done right when you give birth because everything is easy to get to, or else they would have to wait until after the 6 week checkup to be sure everything had healed properly.

It was outpatient but I was asleep. She showed me the cauterized tubes after (no idea what I was looking at). I had tiny scar at my bikini line and another one in my belly button.

 

[Pinkprincessmom]

Thanks moms. Sounds like cauterizing is the key. I'll talk to my OB more.

I'll gladly take stories from more moms with successful tubal's.

 

[CF'er]

Had mine done during the c-section for DD8. So far it's all good but then again I had all kinds of prob's getting preg in the first place.

 

[kidzmom3]

I had 3 kids in 5 years, on the pill for two of them. So I am definetly fertile, or he is. I had my tubal immediately after the c-section delivery of my last child. 9 years later, I have had a few scares, but have never become pregnant. By scares I mean that I was beginning to think maybe I was, but just lateness or other weird symptoms.

 

[poohandwendy]

Successful tubal here!

Had my tubes 'tied' 2 months after my third child was born (I was 27). This was 13 years ago. The doctor told me the same thing about better success after childbirth healing. unless you have a c-section, which I did not. I have only a teeeny scar inside my belly button, you would never know it was there, just looks like my belly button.

From what I have heard, they don't really tie the tubes anymore, only cut and cauterize them. i could be wrong though.

Best procedure I ever did, gave me total peace of mind.

You will hear of people who know people who had a failed tubal, but don't let that scare you. It's rare. Bottom line.

The one thing i would suggest is to continue to keep an eye on your cycles. It's really easy to forget about it, but there is a small risk of ectopic pregnancy (if it DOES fail) so it's important to make sure you are regular. And keep up with the annual exams. It's really easy to 'forget' your reproductive health when you are no longer worried about pregnancy. I remember Oprah had a great idea and that is to schedule your annual exam during your birthday month, much easier to remember that way, kwim?

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[MagicalMom]

I had mine tied when I had my last C-section 5 years ago. So far so good.

 

[KristiKelly]

I had it done right after c-section delivery with #3 (all 3 were c-sections). She is now 19 months and so far so good. DH is still thinking about getting the "V", he's scared to death of another baby.

ETA: I know of several who have become pregnant after a vasectomy but I don't know of anyone who got pregant after having their tubes tied.

 

[poohandwendy]

Oh, and I wanted to add that they have found a correlation between failed tubals and age of having the procedure. Apparently the rates are higher if you have them tied 28 or younger. That sort of freaked me out when I first read about it because I was 27, but I'm over it now. After 13 years post surgery, I just don't worry about it.

This part doesn't apply to the OP because she is 35, but just something I found noteworthy.

 

[Pinkprincessmom]

Thanks Moms!!

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I feel better now. When I read this thread title, I had a moment of panic. I had a tubal during my c-section with #3. Nobody told me it might be better to wait. I probably wouldn't have, but I didn't even know!

 

[tinkhoney]

I had 5 preg. in 4 yrs( 2 m/c's ) and i was on the pill for 2 of them. I had my tubes cut nad burned after my dd6 was born. And we haven't had any more babies. a few as kdxmom3 said scares but nothing.

 

[tinkhoney]

under 30 i was 24 (just) although i wouldn't mind one more but DH would freak...

 

[mickeyfan2]

Get DH done it is an easier procedure to do and also they can actually tell if it was a success.

 

[Minnesota!]

Get DH done it is an easier procedure to do and also they can actually tell if it was a success.

Agreed. As well as the whole "Tubal Ligation Syndrome"....very nasty. Effects about 50% of women who get TLs.

Which is why DH is getting neutered within the next year or so...

 

[Pinkprincessmom]

Get DH done it is an easier procedure to do and also they can actually tell if it was a success.

We haven't ruled this out. I just thought if they are doing a c-section anyway...

 

[mickeyfan2]

We haven't ruled this out. I just thought if they are doing a c-section anyway...

Good.

DH had his done 15 years ago and he tells all the guys it was really easy and the best thing her ever did.

 

[Christine]

I didn't vote because I've never had a tubal. I made my DH get the vasectomy but my OB said the same thing as yours. He waits 6 weeks after childbirth before he does one--says they are nearly as reliable as the ones done immediately after.