Tubal ligation? Tell me EVERYTHING

Question

So I'm 32 weeks and will need to decide if I would like to get my tubes tied after giving birth. This will be my second child and both my husband and I are 100% sure no more kids. 
So tell me everything. Recovery time? The process? Why type of meds are you given? How painful? Anesthesia? Short term and long term Side effects? Extra time in the hospital? How long is the procedure? And absolutely anything else you can think of!

Answer

I’m getting this done when I deliver my next baby at the end of this month. The procedure sounds pretty similar to when I had my gallbladder removed since they’re both laparoscopic. The most uncomfortable/painful part will definitely be the air leftover in your abdomen. I imagine it’ll be a little sore too, but it’s really nothing to be scared of. Also a great excuse to stay in bed and rest and get your partner to change all of baby’s diapers during the hospital stay🤗

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Hey! I got my tubes tied in January after the birth of my third and final child (in December) and I’m about to give you the ugly truth. Because it’s ugly. 
So depending on how soon you have your tubes tied after giving birth will affect everything I’m telling you. Vaginal vs c-section delivery will matter too. If you have a c-section, your doctor may do it right then but if you deliver vaginally, you will most likely have to wait (but maybe not. Doctor’s preference.)
So if you do have to wait, you’ll still be bleeding from postpartum and so you’ll be naked in a gown too big and they’ll make you stick a pad between your legs and hold it there and they’ll put a “puppy pad” under you. The specific anesthesia varies and it depends on your tolerance. 
Here’s how it went for me. I was given an iv pain relief because I was already stressed and in pain when I got there. They wheeled me into the OR and my doctor (who is the most amazing lady in the world and total sweetheart) asked me if I was ready. I said yes and they put and oxygen mask on me and a hair cover. The anesthetist told me she was going to administer the anesthesia and she told me it would probably burn once it was in my arm but about the time it started to burn is when it would start to work and then I was out cold. I woke up what felt like moments later in searing pain in the recovery room and the nurse helped me calm down and gave me more iv pain meds because I was crying my stomach hurt so bad. 
So my procedure was laparoscopic which means she made two tiny incisions, one at my pant line on my groin area and one in my belly button, instead cutting me wide open, and then use a camera to guide the doctor during the procedure. Then, they pump the abdominal cavity full of air to provide room so the camera can see the Fallopian tubes. I had two clips placed on each tube and then they deflate the air and close the incisions with surgical super glue. 
Now the searing pain is due to the fact that not all of the air can be removed when they “deflate” you like a sad party balloon. So you feel like you’re having a heart attack because there’s pressure in your chest and your entire abdomen hurts from it as well. And you can feel the air moving when you move. It will bubble up through your abdomen to your chest. But you gotta move around to help get it out. 
They’ll make you get out of bed when you feel ready and go to the bathroom. A nurse will assist and eaves drop to make sure that you go pee, so as to check that everything works down there and they didn’t knick your bladder or other important urinary organs. You may have some additional bleeding after the surgery but nothing like postpartum bleed or even a heavy period. My dr prescribed 600 mg ibuprofen and 10mg oxycodone/350mg acetaminophen (so Percocet) for the pain, and trust me honey, you’ll need it. 
For the first 3 days, I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. For about 3 days after that I felt like I was hungover and had maybe exercised a little too hard with no cool down so I was sore and tender and EXHAUSTED. By day 7 I was still tired and little sore but I could move around again with little effort. After about a week and a half I felt like I usually feel. 
BUT!! I’ll never get pregnant again 🤗 and it’s “ligation” btw. Not litigation. And if you’re going to do it, you will most likely have to sign a 30 consent form before it can be done so don’t waste any time.

Answer

I had mine done 2 years ago. Mine was during a medically necessary c section, and the pain of a c section recovery is much worse than just the tubal alone, so I can't speak as to that part. The main difference between my previous c section and tubal c section was that I felt pain on my sides where you get menstrual cramps for a few weeks. It wasn't unbearable, but definitely noticeable. Like pms crampy all the time. 
My main issue was that my periods became crazy irregular, especially for the first year. Like some months I'd be 2 weeks late, some months I had a period every 2.5 or 3 weeks. And they lasted much longer than normal, like 5-7 days. They've recently become more regular, but I have a lot more cramping than before. 
I heard about this happening to some women, but my dr said it won't happen to me because it's usually only because women were used to their cycles being regular and light from being on the pill. But I've been off all hormonal birth control for 9 years before this, so I'm certain it's from the tubes. 
The only reason I got it done is because my body doesn't tolerate any kind of hormonal birth control, and vasectomy is strictly forbidden in our religion. Otherwise, I wouldn't have.

Answer

Following. I’m going to mention to my OB I want it done ASAP after birth because I’m limited with my paid maternity leave (only a total of 6 weeks before and after delivery combined) so I don’t want to be out of work for the tubal with no paid time off left. Plus I need to have it done when my boyfriend will be home on paternity leave so he can help me with the baby if I’m in too much pain. And it sounds like I’ll need the help for at least the first few days 😳

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Also following

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Following, I did let my doctor know I want it it done and he gave me some info. If I have a vaginal delivery I have to go back and have it done at 4 weeks and it’s a two day recovery but would go home the same day. If for what ever reason I have a C-section it would be done right there and no extra recovery time. I would love to hear more info from mamas who’ve actually had it done:)

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Tubal ligation? Tell me EVERYTHING

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