Health and Fitness: Contraceptives Birth Control Article Category

When a woman has determined that she has had all the children she wishes to have and that she does not want any additional children in the future, a surgical procedure called tubal ligation surgery is usually recommended. Most women have heard of this procedure and commonly refer to it as " getting your tubes tied".

Tubal ligation surgery is a procedure in which a woman's fallopian tubes are cut, tied, or blocked to prevent future fertilization and implantation during sexual intercourse. There are many approaches to this surgery, and with today's more minimally invasive techniques, it is no longer considered major abdominal surgery. In many cases, it can be done as an outpatient procedure. Depending on the type of tubal ligation procedure that is performed, the surgery can take up to about thirty minutes. Some women may choose to have the procedure done while they are delivering their children via C-section since the abdomen is already open.

According to the Women's Specialists of Plano, Texas, tubal ligation is considered female sterilization, and only your doctor will know which procedure is most suitable for your body and lifestyle. A few of the tubal ligation approaches are:

• Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation: During this procedure your gynecologist will insert a small camera and surgical instruments through a very small incision made in the abdomen. The tubal ligation will take place via this method which is considered a more minimally invasive approach.
• Mini-Laparotomy: During this procedure your gynecologist will perform the surgery by making an incision in the abdomen about 2 inches in length.
• Post-Partum Tubal Ligation: This procedure is very similar to the mini-lap, except that the incision will be made just below the belly button because the fallopian tubes are higher in body after childbirth. Many women will choose to have the procedure done at this time because it eliminates having to have two separate recovery periods.
• Trans-Uterine Tubal Occlusion: This procedure is performed with anesthesia. The cervix is dilated and a hysterscope is placed in the uterine cavity. The opening of the tube into the uterus is identified and a "plug" is placed into the fallopian tube as it passes through the uterine wall.
• Open Tubal Ligation: This procedure is performed when a woman desires a tubal after delivering via caesarean section, because the abdomen is already open. This procedure is also performed when a woman has pelvic inflammatory disease, or is already receiving a surgery which requires the opening of the abdomen.

The recovery period after most tubal ligations is about a week although you will most likely leave the hospital within a few hours after surgery. Because the procedure is immediately effective, you can maintain sexual activity as soon as you feel well enough.

If you change your mind after receiving a tubal ligation surgery and decide that you may want to have children in the future, there is a reversal procedure. It is important to note that tubal ligation reversals are very expensive and in many cases are not effective. The statistics are somewhat low regarding women having children after a reversal has taken place.

Because tubal ligation is considered permanent, it is vital that a woman understand all of her options and evaluate all of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Female sterilization that is effective immediately
• It can be done at the same time as other surgeries like C-section during following the immediate birth of a child or during the removal of ovarian cysts
• It is a very reliable form of permanent birth control
• Requires no daily attention (such as with the birth control pills, condoms, etc.)
• More cost effective in the long run then a daily procedure
• Allows for sexual spontaneity

Cons:

• It is a surgery and with every surgery, there are risks to consider
• The procedure is not 100% reversible in the event of regret
• Does not protect against STD's (only the proper use of condoms can do this)
• Is more expensive than the male form of permanent contraception (vasectomy)

If you are researching permanent birth control for women, it is suggested that you do proper research and reflection to be sure that you will not regret the decision in the future. If you are sure about your decision to receive permanent birth control (female sterilization), join your doctor so that the two of you can discuss which procedure will be most fitting to your life.