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Tubes tied during c-section or vasectomy?

93 replies

Decisionstomake1 · 22/10/2024 10:35

I guess I am posting for traffic! But maybe also AIBU to think tubes tied during c-section would be a good option? Has anyone had it done?

Currently pregnant and will be having a planned section same as my previous pregnancy (high risk - baby will need to come early).

I was going to ask about getting my tubes tied during the procedure. My thinking being if most of the risk of tubes tied is the operation itself and I’m already being cut open maybe it’s a good idea! or is there a lot of risk outside of this / was the recovery very bad?

OP posts:
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SnowFrogJelly · 10/04/2025 14:55

Vasectomy

Zeitumschaltung · 10/04/2025 14:39

GroovyChick87 · 10/04/2025 14:25

It's minor surgery. If you're already having major surgery with a c section and being cut open already, it's possible you may not even notice any side effects. During my c section recovery I don't think I could tell the difference between that and my other c sections. The main thing it caused was worse periods afterwards but I've got no evidence that it was the sterilisation that caused it. I definitely feel secure having taking my own fertility into my own hands and I've not fallen pregnant in the 8 years since, so it's been successful.

You’re saying that the doctors are all wrong because your single operation went well. They’ll be looking at the outcomes of thousands of cases to give their advice. That’s why their advice is better.

GroovyChick87 · 10/04/2025 14:25

Zeitumschaltung · 10/04/2025 10:45

If a "few staples" don't make a difference to healing and risk, why did my doctors (and those of other PPs) tell them that they would?

It's minor surgery. If you're already having major surgery with a c section and being cut open already, it's possible you may not even notice any side effects. During my c section recovery I don't think I could tell the difference between that and my other c sections. The main thing it caused was worse periods afterwards but I've got no evidence that it was the sterilisation that caused it. I definitely feel secure having taking my own fertility into my own hands and I've not fallen pregnant in the 8 years since, so it's been successful.

Zeitumschaltung · 10/04/2025 10:45

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 09/04/2025 06:51

For christ's sake, it is not brain surgery she's wanting.
A simple clip is placed around each tube. They are not 'tied'. She is having a Caeser, so will have an open abdomen. The tubes couldn't be any more visible/accessible if they tried.
Complications no more than with just a Caesarian - which yes, does carry risks, but adding in a couple of staples will not make a difference to healing or risk.
The lack of anatomical knowedge is writ-large here
Much better to have control over one's fertility than rely on someone else.

If a "few staples" don't make a difference to healing and risk, why did my doctors (and those of other PPs) tell them that they would?

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 09/04/2025 06:51

TheLurpackYears · 22/10/2024 10:41

Vasectomy, much lower risk and long term less likely to give complications. Plus sharing the responsibility.
Don't add another risk to a risky surgery. Get stitched to ASAP and get in with recovering and caring for the baby.

For christ's sake, it is not brain surgery she's wanting.
A simple clip is placed around each tube. They are not 'tied'. She is having a Caeser, so will have an open abdomen. The tubes couldn't be any more visible/accessible if they tried.
Complications no more than with just a Caesarian - which yes, does carry risks, but adding in a couple of staples will not make a difference to healing or risk.
The lack of anatomical knowedge is writ-large here
Much better to have control over one's fertility than rely on someone else.

Zeitumschaltung · 09/04/2025 06:24

I was told they no longer offered it at my hospital because of the higher failure risk and higher post-partum complications.

CandidRaven · 09/04/2025 05:54

I had the tubal during my c-section because I wanted to make sure I couldn't get pregnant again and didn't want to risk my husband getting cold feet with a vasectomy, he was supposed to have one after our third child which was 8 years ago and never did so we ended up with another baby and I just didn't want to risk another pregnancy again, I've had no effects from it at all, I know this is an old thread but just commenting for other people in that situation

Tbrh · 09/04/2025 03:31

Both!!

PrincessFairyWren · 09/04/2025 03:15

My DH said he had no problem with getting a vasectomy and said all the right things. However after my second was born and it was time he dragged his feet and stuffed around for 4-5 years. It was hugely stressful because me getting pregnant again was risky and I believe that my hormonal birth control was a big contributor to pnd.

If you don’t want more kids take matters into your own hands.

Mamma37868 · 09/04/2025 03:07

I asked the midwife why it was not offered during the C-section and she said something about how it used to be offered but was not anymore because of the risks to the mother post partum - not clear what the risks were but it was hormonal. 🤷‍♀️

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 08/04/2025 20:50

I was offered it with my second caesarean but declined. Although I was pretty sure we wouldn’t want more kids, I didn’t think it was a decision I felt comfortable making while hormonal etc.
DH had a vasectomy about a year later once we were certain about the decision.

HavingFaith · 08/04/2025 20:47

@Decisionstomake1 how did everything go for you? What did you decide in the end? I am in an almost identical situation to you! So very keen to hear your outcome.

BookishBabe · 13/11/2024 14:39

I had a planned c section with my 2nd.
6 days later my DH has a vasectomy.
I did think it was fair and sharing the load.

lovelysunshine22 · 13/11/2024 14:37

Mamma37868 · 13/11/2024 14:15

Just wanted to update that our obstetrician has said tubal ligation is not funded on the NHS! I presume this is just in our county?

Whereas vasectomies are funded.

The unfairness of it all is so annoying.

Mine was funded on the NHS and so was all my friends that have had it done.

lovelysunshine22 · 13/11/2024 14:36

I had it done during my 4th c-section. I was warned it has a slightly higher failure rate if you have it done during a c-section but really its a miniscule failure rate. I was also warned that there was a chance i could get heavier periods ( which i did). I would say it was slightly more uncomfortable afterwards but nothing major and it was definitely preferable to having a separate surgery done.

Wigglywoowho · 13/11/2024 14:29

Oh wanted to add. He was back to work within 48 hours. Had little achy pain and some swelling but recovered very quickly.

Wigglywoowho · 13/11/2024 14:27

I had 7 years of fertility treatment. I spent about 40k on treatment. My eldest was my last frozen embryo. I had her at 40. I then got pregnant by accident and had my second 15 months later. It was suggested that I could be sterilised during the C-section for my second. However, my husband decided to have a vasectomy instead. The thinking was that my body had already gone through the medication, the IVF, the miscarriage and the C-sections. My husband decided to take one for the team this time. I couldn't physically or emotionally take anymore trauma.

SnoopysHoose · 13/11/2024 14:20

A vasectomy is such a minor op, little recovery time, some doctor surgeries offer it,if he's keen let him get on with it.

Mamma37868 · 13/11/2024 14:15

Just wanted to update that our obstetrician has said tubal ligation is not funded on the NHS! I presume this is just in our county?

Whereas vasectomies are funded.

The unfairness of it all is so annoying.

Mamma37868 · 24/10/2024 23:03

Decisionstomake1 · 24/10/2024 19:12

@Mamma37868 agreed in general but for me I wouldn’t be undergoing another operation. If it’s not during c-section then it’s my DH turn as far as I’m concerned so it’d be vasectomy for him.

Would you DH have a vasectomy?

I've only broached the idea of a vasectomy with him once and he wasn't too sure - I think he would have liked a 3rd baby but realises it's not the best idea financially and because of SEN with our first. He might need time to get used to the idea, but the clock is ticking towards my planned section!

Calamitousness · 24/10/2024 21:24

@Decisionstomake1 I had tubal ligation at my last c section. I was 40. Best decision ever. No extra complications or recovery. It’s exactly like the first section. You will feel/know no difference. Not needing hormones was just the best feeling. Had done combined pill, mini pill, mirena coil. This is the best by far. Do it!

Decisionstomake1 · 24/10/2024 21:12

@HelterSkelter224 my DH is more than happy to get a vasectomy. But it is another procedure, another recovery time and I started to like the idea of having it done same time as c-section then just being done.if you read my other posts you’ll see re IVF and everything we’ve been through I just want some normality!

OP posts:
HelterSkelter224 · 24/10/2024 20:15

Decisionstomake1 · 24/10/2024 19:12

@Mamma37868 agreed in general but for me I wouldn’t be undergoing another operation. If it’s not during c-section then it’s my DH turn as far as I’m concerned so it’d be vasectomy for him.

Would you DH have a vasectomy?

How does your husband feel about a vasectomy OP? Mine is surprisingly happy to go ahead, but we have a few friends who have done it and it seems that it's not too painful or disruptive.

I'm keen to see how he behaves after this relatively minor procedure compared to be recovering from c-section 😂🙄

Decisionstomake1 · 24/10/2024 19:12

@Mamma37868 agreed in general but for me I wouldn’t be undergoing another operation. If it’s not during c-section then it’s my DH turn as far as I’m concerned so it’d be vasectomy for him.

Would you DH have a vasectomy?

OP posts:
Mamma37868 · 24/10/2024 18:13

Decisionstomake1 · 24/10/2024 10:30

@Mamma37868 yes it’s a bit of a mixed bag but it seems overall people don’t regret it. I also think getting pregnant again wouldn’t be a good idea for me hence looking into permanent forms of contraception! It’s between what you want ideally and what is sensible!

it’s really good to get others views. It’s a big decision to make.

I guess it would also be good to get views from those who had their tubes done outside C-section to find out the recovery time, complications etc, and whether it's worth waiting a year or two. (I'm not sure how best to time it with a little baby.)