Concerns About Getting Tubes Tied

Dear J.,

I agree with the other post if you have doubts then find another method. I got my tubes tied after my second child and now I regret it. I was with their dad who had two kids and knew that 4 kids was enough for me. He wouldn't get snipped so I made a decision and decided to tie my tubes. Now I am on with someone else who is so much better and we want to have kids but it will cost so much for us to undo this.

When I told my doctor that I didn't want anymore kids he didn't mention anything but tying my tubes and I wish he would have.

I have a friend that had it done and she doesn't regret it.

Good Luck,
B.

I had mine done after my second and have not regretted it at all! I got my two boys and I am done. If you have any doubts at all though - I would look into the IUD like the other poster said - those usually last anywhere from 5 - 10 years.

I do have a friend that had hers done - her husband past away and ten years later she had them reversed which cost over $10,000 so that her and her new husband could have children.

I can see pros and cons both ways, but for me it was the best thing to do.

Do NOT do it!! Use other methods of not getting pregnant. Its a terrible choice. You get really horrible cramps,the bleeding is a lot more and clots,and if you ever decide that you want another baby there is no turning back. There are so many other options that are out there. Even having your husband get fixed is simple as 1,2,3 and he can be at work the next day. Research for options. You will regret getting your tubes tied. Everyone I talk to or ask about having it done say if they would of known how awful it makes you they would of never done it.

I just had mine tied with our second child in October. My doctor refuses to do it unless you are 110% positive that you want it done and he doesn't detect ANY hesitation at all when talking to you about it. I was very sure that I didn't want any more kids AND comfortable with getting it done. If you are having mixed feelings about it, maybe you should hold off. Your husband can always get snipped later, if you end up positive that you are done.

My sister had her tubes tied after her third child, and she ended up regreting it.

That's really all I can say about it.

If you have the slightest doubt, I wouldn't do it. You can always get an IUD, or FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) is incredibly good at preventing pregnancy if you use it correctly, the key is just knowing when you are and aren't fertile.

I probably won't be of much help here but when I discussed having my tubes tied if I were unable to VBAC with my 3rd and ended up having a C/S...she instead convinced me to have my husband have a vasectomy because it is so much easier on the men. I thought it only made sense for me to do it (again if I were having the surgery) but couldn't help but feel that I wanted to know the baby would be ok first before I made the final decision. I think the finality of it all felt so strange. Unfortunately, I have yet to convince my hubby about the vasectomy..

I have to agree with the others who suggested an IUD. I didn't even know about them until just before my second child was born when the nurse suggested it. While my husband and I both feel that two children is the right number for us and don't plan to have more, I wasn't comfortable with us doing anything permanent yet, even though my husband has even offered to be the one having surgery instead of me. So far, the IUD seems to be the best compromise. I also had trouble with side effects from the pill, so it is a relief to be away from that too.

If you have any doubts at all - I wouldn't go through with it.

If I weren't 150% sure, I'd probably get an IUD. That's a good long-term solution that you don't have to think about, and if you do change your mind down the line, all you have to do is pull it out. Also, you might consider convincing your husband to get snipped - a vasectomy is easier to reverse (and has a higher success rate of reversal) than tubal ligation, should one of you actually change your minds.

I had my tubes tied after my second c-section. Personally, I don't regret it at all. For several reasons I knew that I did not want to have another baby. I have not have any of the physical problems that other posters mentioned. My periods are the same that they have always been.

I also agree that if you are having doubts, don't do it, there are other options. My friend wasn't sure so she went with an IUD and loves it. I think that it is good for 10 years. Also, many of my friends husbands have had vasectomies and said it is no big deal.

Don't feel bad for not doing it. Go with your instict.

J.,

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I just had my 2nd little by c-section in October 06 and I had my tubes tied as well. I have to admit, when I first talked about having my tubes tied, my husband and I were on the same page, we both thought it was a good idea. Then as it got closer, I had some doubts. I went back and forth for months trying to decide if it was the right thing to do or not. I am so glad that I went through with it. I just took my time and really weighed my options and thought a lot about it. Like the other moms have said, if you aren't 200% sure, don't do it. It was a hard decision to make, but I'm glad I did it! Good luck!
M.

Hi J.,
I agree with many respondant suggesting you be sure before you elect to tie your tubes. Not only are there so many available forms of birth control out there, but you may be unnecesarily stressing yourself out--possibly increasing the odds of post-partum depression. You can always have the procedure done later, when you are not under the influence of all the hormones. Also, a vascectomy is much easier to reverse. So often, it is the woman who bears the burden of contraception. Something to think about.

If it were me I would get an IUD. Any permanent method is scary to me- you have no way of knowing what your future circumstances will be or even if you will change your mind.

Hi J.,
I am a 46 year old woman who had 3 Children via C-Section. My last baby was 9 lbs. and 6oz. He is now 16 years old. I made my decision long ago as a teenager; I made a vow to myself that I would not have any children after age 30. My son was born 2 months after my 30th birthday. The doctor for my third child told me I should not have another child via C-Section for medical reasons. He told me he was going to tie my tubes whether my husband or I liked it. He said he didn't need our permission and he was doing it because it would be dangerous for the baby and I. He told us that if I got pregnant for the fourth time my muscles and skin at the scar may split open as my stomache grew bigger. Thus endangering the life of my baby as well as my own.
I strongly suggest you ask your OB about the dangers of getting pregnant again. He may tell you something different. I had large babies. If your children were small at birth it may not be an issue.
My advice to you is before you give birth make sure you get all the information you can on tubiligations and the dangerous of 3 or more C-Sections. Also be very sure on your decision of not having any more children. You don't want to regret your decision.
Look into all your options. Your doctor and the internet are good sources to start with for information to help you make your decision. Another good source is a counselor or therapist to help you sort out your feelings and help you make your decision about not having any more children.

Good luck

A.

Have you thought about an IUD? I think that is what I'm going to opt for instead of getting a tubal. Also, research Vasectomies before you decide- there is new evidence that it may be linked with causing Alzheimers in men.

I have 2 friends who both regret getting tubals, because of the probs they have and the fact that they might want another child since they are going through divorce and worry if they get remarried if they'll want one with the new hubby... just food for thought!

'M.

I have not had my tubes tied, my husband had a vasectomy last year. I decided not to have mine tied because I read of some strange complications like early menopause. I don't have great luck with surgical procedures so I decided not to do it.

About 2 weeks before my husband had it done, we both had serious doubts. We almost cancelled the day before, we were both scared out of our minds. Just because it is so permanent, and it's strange to think we won't have anymore kids (even though we both agreed 2 was it). It is a big decsion and anytime you do it you will be scared.

Well he went ahead with it and we both felt very strange for about 6 months...now we have gotten over it and we both feel great about the decision.

I think if you are sure you're done having kids, then go for it. You will be scared even if it's him having it done, trust me. It's such a big part of your life that you're choosing to end and I think that's what scared us.

I love not worrying about having to get pregnant! Just think about what you truly want...and stick to it. It will work out.

Hi J.,

My sister decided to get her tubes tied after having her third baby...She also had a c-section after two vaginal deliveries that were a bit scary due to big babies...She really regretted getting her tubes tied not because of wanting to have more children, but because of the pain and discomfort..

Afterwards, her periods were also very irregular and quite heavy...

Her thinking is that her husband should have gotten a vasectomy. Which is an easier procedure.

M.

after reading the other comments im going along withthe if you have doubts, don't do it. i have a 5yo girl and 4 yo boy. while i was still prego with my son their father had a vasectomy. he was uncomfortable for about a day or 2 and after that he was fine. have him go in. there are several ways for a amn to have it done and some are reversable. a couple friends of mine had theirs tubes tied and i got one painful story and one that wasn't bad. it is all up the you. consider differnt options. good luck.

I also am getting my tubes tied with the birth of my 4th child in august.I dont want anymore children either but, I am also scared to do. I know that I can not handle anymore children and I dont want to "start over again " later in life, so I am scarred but I think its the right choice..Good Luck with what ever decision you decide to make..

A. P.

If you have decided that you are not having anymore than get your tubes tied. I was going to after my 3rd son but couldn't, I delivered at a Catholic hospital, then we were going to wait until we had the money to pay for it outright. I am currently pregnant with twins, And we were very carefule everytime. So if you have decided then get it done.

I had mine done, and while I might have a "ping" when I see a newborn, it was the best decision for me. My doctor did say, that it is possible to get pregnant again through ivf. I am not sure if that is the route you would take, but if you are really not sure, then I suggest another form of birth control. You could always do the I.U.D. or the nuvo ring. I just knew my limitations, and two children were enough for me. I think there will always be that "what if" feeling.

Good luck. JD

I had my tubes tied during c-sec for my 2nd when I was 30. We have a boy and a girl and I was "sure" I was finished. Thinking might want another child now and considering adopting. Don't really regret my decision but obviously I wasn't as sure as I thought!