Whether you’ve opted to live a child-free life or have decided that you’re done having children after building a family, tubal ligation can be a convenient option. Tubal ligation is a permanent but reversible way of eliminating the risk of becoming pregnant. Deciding to receive a tubal ligation is an important choice, one which the Capital Women’s Care Rockville team is ready to support you. It’s a surgical procedure that has become easier to achieve now that laparoscopic surgery technology has advanced. If you’re ready to receive this procedure, this guide will help you prepare and recover smoothly.
Tubal Ligation, How To Prepare For It, And What To Expect
During a tubal ligation, your fallopian tubes are rendered incapable of passing eggs down from your ovary to the uterus. This is typically achieved by removing a section of the fallopian tubes, sealing the ends, or having them pinched closed with clips or rings. However, there are a number of different options for getting your “tubes tied.” What happens during your procedure depends on which kind of tubal ligation you receive.
- Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation – A small incision will be made in your abdomen during this procedure. Small tubes that allow the use of small tools and cameras are inserted into these incisions and moved to the treatment site. A special gas is pumped into your abdomen to make it easier for the surgeon to access the surgical site. Small sections of your fallopian tube will be removed, and the ends closed off with rings, clips, or using heat. This process takes less than 30 minutes and produces minimal scarring.
- Bilateral Salpingectomy – This procedure completely removes your fallopian tubes rather than merely a small section. It is otherwise the same as the procedure mentioned above.
- Minilaparotomy – This procedure is done immediately after childbirth using local anesthetic and an incision near the belly button. The tubes are brought up through the cut, clipped, and blocked. It’s also possible for only clips or rings to be used or for a bilateral salpingectomy to be completed instead.
Following the procedure, you may experience one of a number of symptoms, which include:
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Mild pain near the injection site
- Fatigue or dizziness as the anesthesia wears off
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge
These are the most common side effects, though others are possible. More severe symptoms are rare but include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling
- Rash
- A fever in excess of 100.4°F
- Persistent severe pain that doesn’t ease with pain medication or that gets worse over time
- Unpleasant odor or discharge from the vagina
Recovery from the procedure is typically swift, taking only a few days. However, it is generally advised to wait a week after the procedure before lifting anything in excess of 12 pounds.
Contact Capital Women’s Care Rockville To Learn More
Are you ready to take the next step in your family planning by receiving a tubal ligation? Prepare by reaching out to our office in Rockville, MD, at (301) 762-5501. We’ll schedule you for a consultation with a member of our team, during which you can discuss your options and prepare for your procedure. We’re dedicated to respecting our patient’s life choices and are here to help you make the right decision for you and your family.
