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If you’ve ever had the dubious distinction of chasing after multiple toddlers and babies while pregnant and weary to the bone — and even if you haven’t — you may have considered getting your tubes tied at some point or another. While there is the rare pregnancy after this form of birth control, this decision is permanent, more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, and not to be taken lightly.
Why you might want to get your tubes tied
1) You are done having children or are certain you never want any
A form of female sterilization, tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied) is a surgical procedure that either closes or blocks your fallopian tubes, thus preventing fertilization.
“I did [it], because it cost no money out-of-pocket with our health insurance to do it right after delivery,” mom of four Tabitha Hawkins told Mom.com. “We had four kids and we were positive we didn’t want more.”
2) There are two main types of methods for getting your tubes tied
The most common method is surgical and a doctor seals your fallopian tubes in a variety of methods. For the non-surgical method, a doctor inserts soft, flexible inserts through your vagina, cervix, and then into your fallopian tubes. After three months, scar tissue builds up and blocks your tubes.
3) Tubal ligation is permanent — sort of
Though there are tubal ligation reversal procedures to reconnect your fallopian tubes, if you choose the inserts method, a reversal is not possible. Keep in mind, even if you get a reversal, only 40% to 60% of women who elect one get pregnant.
4) You can elect to have postpartum sterilization
“I got my tubes tied when I had my C-section done for my second kid,” mother of two Nancy Lu explained to Mom.com. “We always knew we only wanted two kids and since I was getting a C-section already, it made sense to get it done together. Recovery was the same time as my C-section: 6 weeks.”
Even if you don’t have a C-section, you can still get your tubes tied right after giving birth and it should not add to your hospital stay.
5) Your doctor may try to dissuade you if you’re young and/or do not have children
Because sterilization is difficult or irreversible, it can be difficult for younger or childless women to find a doctor to perform the procedure. Assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago, Dr. Julie Chor, told the New York Times that doctors might have “their own personal set of rules as to who it is or is not appropriate to perform a sterilization on.”
“I was around 26 when I first asked my gynecologist about getting my tubes tied,” E. Felicia Howard shared with Mom.com. “At that point in my life, I knew I didn't want children for multiple reasons — some of them health-related.” Howard’s doctor declined. “I asked again when I turned 30, and again she refused on the grounds that I could change my mind. I still haven't changed my mind.”
What are the side effects of getting your tubes tied?
6) Depending on the type of procedure, your recovery time will vary
During recovery, you may experience any of the following:
- Swelling and/or discomfort around the belly
- Change in bowels
- Shoulder or back pain
- Cramping
- Fatigue
- Bloating or gassiness
“I was really tired for 48 hours and my stomach was bloated for 4 to 5 days afterwards," Larisha Bernard told Mom.com. "It felt like the worst period cramps I’ve ever had, but definitely better than giving birth.
“The incision sites hurt for a few weeks, if someone touched them or they got hit, but within two weeks I was back to normal and you could barely see the scars.”
If you have fainting spells, pain, or bleeding at the incision site 12 hours post-operation, or a fever, please consult a medical professional immediately.
7) There is a risk of ectopic pregnancy
While tubal ligation is over 99% effective, on the rare occasions of failure, it is usually because the fallopian tubes have reconnected. If a pregnancy does happen after getting your tubes tied, there is a 33% chance of it being an ectopic pregnancy.
How soon can you get intimate again after the procedure?
8) Healing times may vary
In general, don’t have sex until you feel comfortable. Usually, you should wait a week after surgery — but if you had the procedure after birth, the recommendation is 4 to 6 weeks.
“They recommended 6 weeks but I wasn’t in the mood,” Lu said.
9) You should still practice safe sex
Remember, though getting your tubes tied is an effective birth control, it does not prevent you from getting sexually transmitted infections or diseases.
