Female sterilization during Caesarian... Comments from those with experience

[GTLH]

I am due to give birth to my 3rd son, my previous 2 births were caesarian as will this one be, all 17 months apart, I am 40 now, I have heard it said that 3 potentially 4 caesarians in a row is absolute maximum as can be dangerous for the mother, it is therefore recommended not to get pregnant again, hence the reason I am seriously considering being sterilised whilst in the operating theatre...

I would like to hear others opinions on this....

Has anyone be sterelised during caesarian?
Can you still breast feed?
Did it go well?
Have you had any bad hormonal side effects?

Any other comments, suggestions and/or advice welcome.

Many thanks :)

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Does your hospital offer it? A friend enquired and was told her hospital didn't because of higher failure rates.

[LadyPeterWimsey]

I had a sterilisation during my 4th section at the age of 35. No problems breastfeeding, no side effects at all. It extended the operation by about 10 minutes and has made no difference to anything except that I don't have to think about contraception. If you are sure you have finished your family, I definitely recommend it. Occasionally I wish we had another child but with the risks increasing each time in pregnancy and with the CS, I'm very grateful for the DC I have.

I have heard about the higher failure rates but my doctor laughed when I asked about them. Almost 8 years on, I haven't got pregnant.

[MotherOfNations]

I've had 5 c-sections and was considering being sterilised but the consultant said my womb didn't look too bad and I could potentially go for number 6.

[NoBloodyMore]

I got sterilised during a section with my third child (second c section). 2 years ago now, there were no added complications, no hormonal effects and certainly no adverse effects on breastfeeding, DS is 2.5 and still feeding.

I was also only 30 at the time and had no resistance from the hospital when I requested it, I'd had very difficult pregnancies and births though.

[bookcave]

I had it done during my second C-section because both pregnancies had been life-threatening and I was advised strongly against any further pregnancies. The decision was taken about halfway through the second pregnancy when it became obvious that it was a repeat of the first and that I was always going to have dangerous pregnancies.

It went well, no complications or adverse effects. No difference in recovery time or pain levels. Definitely the right decision for me and the obstetrician was very pro.

I would have liked a third child but the risks of dying and leaving my existing children motherless were just too high. I think the sterilisation has probably reduced any potential regrets substantially as it's closed off the option. I can't have more so I don't sit around wondering and re-assessing the risks as I might have done otherwise - it's over. That's worked well for me.

[GTLH]

WOW! That's great news thank you all so much, certainly puts my mind at rest, I have a meeting with my Doctor next week, as I am due to give birth next Month so will discuss it with him then, see what he feels about it...

Thanks again :)

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

I am quite jealous . Just had DC3 myself and would have loved to have contraception done and dusted forever. I don't think that they do it at homebirths though

[harrygracejessica]

I had it done age 30 with my 3rd cesarian. Having had 2 sets of twins already and a singleton I felt the risks for more multiples was to great and my body felt battered. Only took about 10 mins longer. No problems apart from heavier periods for a while after (but mine are exceptionally light!). They did say the failure rate is normally in the first year so if your that worried use contraception for a while just in case :-)

[divingoffthebalcony]

Interesting.

I'm wondering whether I'd be "allowed" (which is ridiculous, because I have a long list of reasons why I only want two children) to be sterilised during a first section/second child?

[StealthPolarBear]

Surely it's only cheaper right from the start? If the woman is having a x's surely the additional costs can't be that high?
Might be being naive here!!

[StealthPolarBear]

Not sure what x's is, I meant cs of course

[gunwalloe]

Im expecting baby 5 and on my first consultant appointment the first thing she asked was if I wanted to be sterilised during the caesarean for me im not sure as I may want one more but I wanted you to know in my area they offer rather than wait for you to ask.

[SignoraStronza]

Watching with interest as I'm 35 and about to have cs#3 in a couple of months. I went in to the consultation with a list of reasons why I wanted it done, all the other contraception I've tried and not got on with, why Dh wouldn't go down the vasectomy route (basically if anything happened to me / kids he'd at least like the ability to have more) and was prepared for a fight, but he was absolutely fine with the idea and I didn't have to push for it at all!

I can't wait. Will be such a load off my mind - especially as am really not enjoying this pregnancy.

[AnotherStitchInTime]

I was due to have one during my third cs. I was advised against IUD by the consultant due to possible issues with formation of scar tissue, the thickness of my uterus near the cs scar and adhesions. In my case another pregnancy would have been dangerous. The consultant told me that the success rate figures for female sterilisation are based on an old methods of tubal occlusion, but now they cut the tube, cauterise it and tie it off making it more effective.

In the end I didn't need it done as I had an emergency hysterectomy during the delivery. I still have my ovaries, however and have had no problems breastfeeding my now 7 month old ds. Female sterilisation leaves the ovaries in place so you should have no problems breastfeeding either should you choose to be sterilised at the delivery.