My Experience with Tubal Ligation: From Decision to Recovery

Shortly after having my second child, I decided I didn't want any more children. I am fairly young, so I opted to try an IUD rather than the more permanent tubal ligation. After several months, I realized the IUD was not the right choice for me. I also was running out of time to change anything because my insurance was running out. I started looking into the procedure, and was referred to a doctor who would do it for me. My insurance requires a 30 day consent period. What this means is that you sign a form saying that you want this procedure done, and then wait an additional 30 days after that. I barely had enough time to schedule the procedure after the consent period.

Once we had everything scheduled, I had to field calls from the hospital to get registered there, had a pre op appointment with the doctor, mainly to confirm that I hadn't changed my mind. Then I had to fill out more forms. My appointment was scheduled for 7:30, and you have to arrive two hours early to get checked in, get prepped, and you are yet again asked if you're still sure you want the surgery. I'm not at all a morning person, and I knew I wouldn't be able to wake up to go, so I stayed up all night! I wouldn't recommend this unless you are like me, and just naturally a nightowl.

We arrived at the hospital, and the nurses at check in were very nice, and were expecting me. I got my bracelet on, and was told to wait in the waiting room. The wait was reasonably short, considering there were a lot of people in the waiting room. Then the nurses asked me if I had eaten or drank anything since midnight, and I had only had water, but they seemed to think that was significant. Of course, when the anestheologist came in to ask, he didn't care about the water! It was only a few ounces anyway. I had to get undressed, and take off all jewelry; everything went into a big bag with my name on it. Then they took my blood pressure, They put my legs in these plastic things that inflated and deflated to keep the blood moving. The doctor came in to check on me, and let me know we would start soon. The anestheologist came in, and explained what they would do.

They came to bring me to the operating room. I was moved to a small table, and they strapped my arms down so I wouldn't fall off the table. They checked my blood pressure again, and my oxygen levels. They gave me an oxygen mask to bring my oxygen level to 100%, and then gave me the anesthetic, which put me to sleep within seconds. Then they put in a breathing tube and finished prepping me for surgery. The doctor came in, made two incisions, one in my belly button and one just above the pubic bone. One of these incisions was used to fill my belly with gas, and the other was used to actually put the clips in. Then they closed the incisions with steristrips and sent me off to recovery. I woke up in recovery to a nurse telling to take a deep breath, and then asking if I was in any pain. I told her I was, and she gave me something for it. I fell back to sleep. Then she woke me again, telling to me take a deep breath, and asking about the pain again. While I could still feel it, it was in the background now, and I told her so. Not long after, they sent me back to the room I was in before I was sent to the operating room.

I was still incredibly drowsy, which is not surprising since I had stayed up all night. They got me awake enough to get up and go to the bathroom, and drink some water. They offered me crackers, but I was only able to eat half of one before my stomach started to protest mildly. Before you are allowed to leave, you have to eat, drink and use the bathroom. They wheeled me out in a wheelchair, and I dozed a bit more on the way home. Definitely plan on having a ride to and from the hospital! I could not have driven through the parking lot, much less home.

One of the things I was not expecting was shoulder pains. When they fill your belly with gas, some of that gas goes elsewhere in your body, and causes shoulder pain. It's difficult to describe, but I would say it was similar to having carried a heavy backpack all day; like an ache. I was also crampy, although that may have been from removal of the IUD, and not the surgery. You definitely don't want to lift anything for the first couple days. In fact, plan on sleeping the whole first day. If your spouse isn't good at watching the kids, you may want to enlist extra help. Grandparents are one option. Another thing to remember is you probably will not have much of an appetite. This is a good thing. After surgery, your body turns its resources to healing, not digesting!

All in all, I felt as good as new within a week. I was functional after the second day, but it took a week before I really felt like myself again. If you have vacation time, this might be a good time to take it. Remember that having a tubal ligation is permanent, and though there are a few options available for those who regret their decision, they are not 100% effective. Be positive about your choice before you have this procedure.