Tubal Ligation | Sterilization
Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure that prevents pregnancy. This is a form of female sterilization that woman can opt for instead of taking oral contraceptives or other forms of contraception. The word tubal refers to the fallopian tubes in which each month an egg is released from an ovary. The fallopian tube then helps the egg travel into the uterus. The word ligation means to close off. Therefore, tubal ligation refers to the “closing off of the fallopian tubes.”
During the surgery, both tubes are cut or tied off. Most procedures are performed in proper clinical settings in hospitals under anesthesia. This procedure is considered a foolproof birth control. In this way, the chances of having an unwanted pregnancy without oral or physical contraception becomes next to nothing. However, the surgery does not provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases, and proper protection should be instated during sexual intercourse.
Is Tubal Ligation for You?
There are several reasons why tubal ligation may be a good choice for your lifestyle. Tubal ligation is a good choice for you if:
- You are in a relationship which is considered stable and have unanimously agreed that this would be the appropriate birth control for you
- Pregnancy can become a health risk for you
- You are an adult
- You are allergic or have unsuitable effects with other forms of contraception
- You and your partner do not want to have offspring due to the possibility of passing on a genetic disorder
Tubal ligation should not be considered, however, when you are unsure whether you want to become pregnant in the future or not. Also, if you do not know whether you will change partners and, in the future, and reconsider wanting to become pregnant. Although there is a procedure that can reverse tubal ligation, only 50-80% of women will become pregnant after their tubes are reattached.
How Is a Tubal Ligation Performed?
Before undergoing a tubal ligation surgery, it is important to disclose all medications you are taking whether they are prescribed or herbal medicines. This is so that you can avoid taking drugs that can possibly cause blood thinning. Blood thinning causes excessive bleeding during surgery. Other potential issues to be aware of are:
- A reaction to general or local anesthesia
- Giving up on smoking, if applicable
- Properly fasting for a period prescribed by your provider
- Arranging proper care after surgery, such as finding someone to drive for you afterwards
At the start of your procedure, you will be given either general or local anesthesia. General anesthesia will be given to you either through an intravenous line (IV) or through inhalation. General anesthesia causes you to become sleepy, and you will be unconscious during the procedure. In the case of local anesthesia, you will be given a numbing medication in either your abdomen or in your spine. In this way, you will be awake throughout the procedure. The procedure takes an average of thirty minutes to complete.
An incision will be made near you belly button in your outer abdomen. Other incisions will be made in the inner abdomen. A surgeon will then insert a tube with a light at the end into your abdomen to be able to see more clearly. The tubes will be then held and cut or sealed off in some way. You will have maybe one or two stitches. You will then be able to resume normal activities within a few days and have sexual intercourse in a week’s time.
Tubal Ligation Procedures in Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Barrington & Bartlett, IL
For more information, call Women’s HealthFirst at (847) 808-8884 or request your appointment now. We have five locations near Chicago, Illinois, to serve you. Established patients are encouraged to visit the convenient online patient portal to request an appointment, message our team, update their records, and more.
