Have you had your tubes tied? Are you happy?

[LatteLover12]

Hi,

I'm 17 weeks pregnant with my third (and definitely final!) child.

I'll be having a section when the time comes and I've been offered a tubal tie at the same time.

It's something I was considering before the consultant mentioned it and now I've got a bit of time to weigh up the pros and cons.

I'm 37. This is my third baby and DPs first.

If I didn't get it done I'd end up on the pill again.

I like being able to control when I have a period.

The Dr said it could cause heavier periods.

Can anyone share their own experiences?

I asked last year to have it done during C-section with DC5 and they said no, as the failure rate during c-section is high (think he said 1 in 200).

DC is nearly a year old now and I am still wanting it done, so once this Covid-19 stuff clears I am making an appointment.

5 DC keeps me busy enough thanks, don't think I'll grieve my fertility too much.

Did you all get a general anaesthetic, or what do they do for day proceedure?

Thanks @StillCounting123 that's something I'll definitely ask the doctor about. I don't want to get it done and still be worrying about a pregnancy!

@StillCounting123 I had a general anaesthetic, was under for around 45 minutes.

Still counting, I had mine during a c section. I read somewhere that the failure rate for a c section is 2%, done as day surgery it's 1%. Not sure how true this is.They put ten clips on each of my tubes so if one fails, there's still another 9 so I'm definitely not going to get pregnant.

I had mine done at 39 during CS for DC3. I do regret it as I wanted more but logically I know another pregnancy would be dangerous and I really hate being pregnant.

My periods are much heavier (I hadn't taken hormonal contraception since teens so it wasn't that) and I now get a day of ovulation pain as well.

@StillCounting123 That's interesting that they said no for that reason. I just asked and was told yes, no questions asked. At no point was I told the failure rate was higher during a section. My husband wants to look into negligence/grievance so it's interesting that other Trusts are giving different information. We think we'll wait until I give birth to find out exactly what happened as in rare cases, the tube can grow back together (mine had pieces cut off them and supposedly tied back on themselves) before perusing anything, if at all.

@LatteLover12 I should add that the few periods I did have between having my daughter 10 months ago and getting pregnant again were very heavy. No pain or discomfort but going through pads like nobody's business for 2-3 days.

I think you need to get a new doctor for a start - he or she needs to go back to medical school. It is not possible for periods to become heavier after tubes are tied. If you take hormonal contraception then you don’t have periods you have withdrawal bleeds. Yes a period can be heavier than a withdrawal bleed that is why hormonal contraception is prescribed for heavy periods.

Anyway yes I’ve had my tubes tied with clips - my hospital won’t do the other method. No I don’t regret it despite having an ectopic a couple of years later.

My advise is to read all the facts from proper medical sites eg nhs and search for current papers. Fully understand all risks. List your reasoning and why this method is the most suitable. Then you can present to the GP - some areas no longer do them though. Oh and be prepared to have to bring your partner in and the doctors only talk to them if your partner is Male.

Mine was day surgery - done by lap so obviously general. One clip on each tube I’m not sure how you can fit 10?!

THNG5 please ask them to confirm exactly where your clips were placed. My procedure failed because the surgeon placed one clip on a ovarian ligament rather than tube. Apparently things are small in there

I have never regreted it. They were asking if I was sure before they put me under tjen laughed and said it says on your notes ypu are pretty determined.

I'm even more glad now, no way would I want to be having a baby the way things are now I wouldn't want to be worrying about getting pills or organising injections and I'll probably br in my 40's before I would feel cpnfodent this was over.

I was 35 having my 3rd section when I had my tubes cut and tied. No regrets and periods no heavier than before. Don't forget your periods can get heavy during peri menopause.

MrsPear, that's what they told me. They said as they were putting them on, my tubes were bleeding so they had to keep putting on new ones. I took it as there were ten still but maybe they meant they were replacing the ones that came off. But either way I've got a few clips on each side.

@MrsPear no clips here. My tubes were cut and a piece taken out. I'm definitely curious to find out what has happened when they open me up for the next c section!

Fascinating! I'm still breastfeeding DC5, so once they are weaned, I am making an appointment!

@THNG5 What happened

I had mine done when I had dc2 (2.5years ago) as my health isn't great and it deteriorates hugely when I'm pregnant. I also nearly died having him, so absolutely the right call.

The recovery from the csection plus tube tie was fucking brutal. It could be because it went wrong and he had to be yanked out very quickly, or it could be the additional surgery, I'm not sure. I ended up back in hospital after 2 weeks with sepsis from an unknown infection. Again, this could be just from the c section, or it could be related to the sterilisation, I don't know.

My periods are definitely worse since having it done. They are heavier and more painful. I do have pcos, but I keep my weight down which was enough to manage it before having ds. I get some pain around the tube areas which from reading up may be adhesions around them from the surgery. This is apparently quite common.

I like that I don't have to worry about falling pregnant though, as without a doubt I would have to terminate. I still think it was the right call, as my health is just not good enough to manage another pregnancy or care for another child. I would make the same decision again despite the issues i have had.

Mine were clipped 11 years ago. My periods became regular (when TTC they were few and far between). Then at the age of 45 they became heavier and lasted a week, came every 3 weeks so i went on the minipill.

Im child free by choice and begged for this since i was 24 They kept refusing and at 48 its still not been done. Now trying to start the Mini Pill which has to be taken on first day of period except last period was just over five weeks ago and still no sign. Ive not had sex so not pregnant. Leaflet says to take this Pill on first day of period but other advice says i can take it any time in my cycle. So thats what im going to have to do. Im livid that i have to go through all this stress when ive never wanted kids anyway. Im annoyed that i STILL have to give this headspace.

I had clips 17 years ago. Made no difference to my periods and I haven't had any issues since. Have now been through menopause so I'm done and dusted in the childbearing department. Perhaps the only issue I had was psychologically at the time, coming to terms with finality of my decision.