Sterilisation - posting for traffic

[StewPots]

Afternoon ladies, inspired by another thread on here today, I want to ask you about sterilisation.

I've had the implant for 10 years. It's caused me no end of misery in that time - ridiculous weight gain, acne and painful sores on my face, absolutely crazy hormonal crap from total rage to sobbing at inappropriate times, to failure with my third one which led to me having to terminate. I also haven't had a period in two years but still get all the PMS symptoms but they last for 3 weeks at a time.

I absolutely hate it. But I can't take the pill due to high risk strokes and DVT in the family, plus the risk of forgetting and getting pregnant again terrifies me.

People have recommended the coil but I know there's been a lot of issues with failures and similar hormonal concerns.

So I have just rang the GP for an appointment to have a chat about sterilisation. For the record, I'm 33 (soon 34) with two DCs and am adamant I never want any more. In fact the fear of pregnancy puts me off sex and we use condoms as well as the implant to reduce the risk. I never ever want more children but then I couldn't ever go through another termination - I think about the one I had nearly everyday, I'm carrying so much guilt but I know it was the right decision at the time. I also do monthly pregnancy tests to make sure I'm not too, otherwise I just panic. If I was I'd no idea what to do - two terminations in a lifetime feels so wrong to me, but what other choice would I have?

So what are the chances of me getting a yes from the GP? Based on the criteria above, so my age, the fat I have 2 DCs and my anxiety regarding further pregnancy (I know there is a small risk of it with sterilisation - it's all I've read about for months) plus the fact I struggle with general contraception. Also had anyone actually had it done? And has it been as successful as it's meant to be?

Any thoughts much appreciated - this has been weighing on my mind for a long time, I know it's what I want but if I have to go private it's a long time to save up to me.

Thank you.

Dubai that sounds scary!! Although probably very rare (I hope!)... glad it all worked out for you though, and thank you :)

Does anyone think it would be beneficial to write down my reasons for wanting to be sterilised for when I see the GP in a couple of weeks? I did this in relation to my depression and the GP said it was great that I'd clearly and concisely explained my feelings and symptoms. It meant I got the treatment that I needed at the time, and the GP didn't get a garbled, confused bunch of tearful words.

Just thinking if it would be worthwhile?

The recovery time for sterilisation is about 1-2 weeks , it is very minor surgery , usually done as a day case .

Floral yes I've read it's actually ok...my job is physical but not too bad as I'm in a senior position so the op sounds ideal. Is it different or more difficult if you've had a c-section I wonder?

I was sterilised at 28 i and my body had enough of pregnancymy consultant was very supportive and agreed. Ask to be referred to a gynae and just explain what you said here, i have 2 children and i never regretted getting done and I didn't feel broody either imo once you are done you are done

Yea right your reasons down

I actually found the initial recovery more painful than my ELCS , but I have a very high pain threshold and post c section only took one 1g dose of paracetamol on the first day ( was also driving in 2 weeks etc) . The problem with the sterilisation was that they ( in those days 15 yrs ago) fill you up with gas to see things whilst doing the laparoscopy and it was the trapped gas that was painful , added to which I don't do well with general anaesthetic which obviously I didn't have for the section.

MrsJayy Nope, absolutely no broodiness at all. I've never been a broody person anyway, I was very lucky in that I decided I wanted a child at that time and got them both with no issues.

DD is 15 and DS is 3 and just started nursery so life is returning to a sort of normal following the baby years - I'm settled in my job, I have a fair amount of freedom back and the family unit is solid. Another baby would completely throw all that upside down - plus the cost is an absolute no.

Flora I've read that now they do it with keyhole surgery and sometimes with just a local (can't remember which of the two procedures it is).

To be fair I look about 6 months pregnant most of the time anyway because of this fucking implant blowing me up for three weeks of the month.

I had mine done under general. Despite being booked for a day surgery they took me down so late that I had to be kept in overnight because of the recovery time from the anaesthetic though. It was painful for about 4 days and then eased off. I was back at work in a week but be prepared for it to take a bit longer as you never know how your body will recover.

The only complication I had was they put on my discharge notes that stitches had to come out after 5 days, the district nurse couldn't get one of them out and I had to go back in to A&E to have it removed, only to be told they were dissolvable stitches anyway!! Had a minor infection but no other issues.

Stew, my dh was also still in his 20s, and thought about vasectomy, but his father and my brother had both had them and suffered undisclosed problems. I too would not have let him do it in any case, for exactly the same reason as you: I knew I would never want more dc but could not have borne the thought of him never having more if anything happened to me.

Further to what Dubai said about clip detaching, I had what my surgeon called belt and braces, i.e. he cut the tubes and then clipped the ends. The op took a very short time and I was left with a tiny 1cm scar by my navel.
The separation of making love from making babies was such a relief!

StewPots I know the criteria in my area is minimum age of 30 and at least two pregnancies. You should be able to find the criteria in your area by googling.

My DH would of happily had a vasectomy but as the issue was with my body with pregnancy I decided sterilisation was best for me. Although unfortunately an unknown gynae problem came to the surface which has led to me having a hysterectomy less than a year later.

Quite a few women I know have had their tubes tied I'm old . Most got on fine with it and I only ever heard of one pregnancy after it was done.

I always think GPs are far too eager to pump women with hormones instead of letting them take charge of their fertility.

I would also research the failure rates if I were you - they are higher than that of the implant, about 1 in 200

Bum bum Thanks I'll certainly take a look, wasn't aware that data would be on Google to be fair.

Peachy yes so I've read...and yes that really does scare me. I'm thinking sterilisation plus another form of contraceptive of some kind, maybe like the coil, to reduce that risk further. I don't know if that can be done though :/

Age 30, 3 children, no problem with referral, definitely the best decision I have ever made.

I had it done 24 years ago. Absolutely no side effects whatsoever.
The positives are great. No pregnancy worries, no forgetting to take contraception and no synthetic drugs going into the system.
What's not to like?

But then isn't the coil just as bad for hormones as the implant?? I only know a few women on it.

This is so difficult. I don't want hormones, I don't want pregnancy, I don't want this shit basically. I know sterilisation is the obvious solution but now I'm doubting that because of the risks... I guess it'll be sterilisation and condoms until I get through menopause :/

Peachy But then again my implant did fail, surely I couldn't be that unlucky again? Actually, scratch that - I know I could be :/

I had mine done last September aged 36. DCs were just 4 and 18 months.

I had it done under GA. No scarring, no bloating, no massive bleeding, just a bit tender. I had a week at home after but worked off and on as required from home.

I also had an ablation to stop horrendous periods - that bit was awesome as I now have NO periods

I'm in Bucks and my GP didn't have any issue with an immediate referral, and the consultant didn't put up any argument. I waited four months for the surgery.

It is worth writing down your reasons before you go so you don't miss anything.

FWIW where I am it was easier for me to get sterilised mid 30s having had children than it would have been for DH to get a vasectomy - he would have had to wait until 40

HeyMicky thank you, I'm going to google criteria for my area now.

Ok,so on the basis of what I've said, it looks like I might meet funding, but I have to bring my weight down a little (BMI of 32, but 5'6 size 16 too and bottom so a wobbly tummy but not obese - thanks to the shitty implant I've piled weight on in the last 10 years an it's very hard to shift, I walk everywhere, eat a balanced diet and have a very physical job but still the weight goes on!)

I had clips at 26; 3 pregnancies, 2 DS (And DS2 was really I'll when I went for the GP appointment) whilst DH would have had a vasectomy like you OP it was me that didn't want any more.

Like a PP the pain afterwards was from the gas but after a couple of days it calmed down. Periods fine since and it is a revelation; I've had an excellent sex life for the last 16 years