Tubal ligation Health Article

Risks

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems or pneumonia
• Heart problems

Risks for tubal ligation are:

• Incomplete closing of the tubes, which could make pregnancy still possible. About 1 out of 200 women who have had tubal ligation get pregnant later.
• Increased risk of a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy if pregnancy occurs after a tubal ligation
• Injury to nearby organs or tissues from surgical instruments

Before the Procedure

Always tell your doctor or nurse:

• If you are or could be pregnant
• What drugs you are taking, even drugs, herbs, or supplements you bought without a prescription

During the days before your surgery:

• You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
• If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your doctor or nurse for help quitting.

On the day of your surgery:

• You will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before your surgery, or 8 hours before the time of your surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital or clinic.

After the Procedure

You will probably go home the same day you have the procedure. Some women may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

You will have some tenderness and pain. Your doctor will give you a prescription for pain medicine or tell you what over-the-counter pain medicine (medicine you can buy without a prescription) you can take.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most women will have no problems. Tubal ligation is an effective form of birth control for women. You will NOT need to have any tests to make sure you can not get pregnant in the future.

References

Mishell DR Jr. Family planning: contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy termination. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 14.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Sterilization by laparoscopy. ACOG Education Pamphlet AP035. February 2003. Accessed February 19, 2009.