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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Being sterilised after ELCS - thoughts anyone?

33 replies

deemented · 06/02/2012 14:52

They have offered me the chance to be sterilised at the same time as i have an elective csec next week.

To be honest, it feels like a relief as each pregnancy it taking a harder toll on me, and as i much as i'd love more children, five is enough. The fact that it feels like a relief gets me to thinking that it may well be the right thing to do.

So - has anyone had it done? How was it? How was your recovery time?

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TheEpilator · 06/02/2012 15:09

Hello. No advice I'm afraid, but would agree that if you feel relieved at the prospect its probably a good idea.

Normally I tend to think that the man getting the snip is both easier and fairer (given what our bodies already go through in order to have babies!)

However, if they can do it at the same time as your CS and give you the peace of mind that you won't accidentally end up with DC6, I have to say I'd go for it, as I'd imagine its unlikely to take any longer to recover than the CS alone.

...as long as you're sure you don't want DC6!?!....

Original poster

deemented · 06/02/2012 15:12

Oh i'm sure. That sure in fact, that he's booked in for the snip as well!!

I have a DSS, who makes up the numbers, so this one will really be DC6, though number 5 for me...

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AlpinePony · 06/02/2012 15:45

I asked my consultant about this a few weeks ago because I think I'm done (am shit at pregnancy and v v old and skint ;)) - anyway, she said they don't like doing it unless it's number 5/6 (as in your case) - but even then, they're reluctant in case the baby dies and you change your mind. Big decision. :(

Vajazzler · 06/02/2012 15:56

I had my tubes clipped during my last Elcs. It was fine. Didnt cause me any bother and never had trouble from it. So glad i had it done yet always a bit sad there'll never be another baby

kreecherlivesupstairs · 06/02/2012 15:59

I begged my consultant to do it for me. She refused. I was too young (37) and this was my first viable pregnancy. She said I may want more. I insisted I didn't.
IIWY, I would go for it, you sound as if your family is complete.

Original poster

deemented · 06/02/2012 16:12

I know from sad personal experience that you cannot simply have one baby to replace another that has died - it just doesn't work like that at all, so that angle is of no concern for me whatsoever.

I'm fairly sure that we're done though. The thought of the diabetes, the PGP/SPD again...no...can't do it to myself of my existing children.

OP posts:

AlpinePony · 06/02/2012 16:16

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that to sound so insensitive. :(

I know that personally if I lose this baby I will feel "cheated" and I will try and get pregnant again, even though being pregnant is s.h.i.t!

PosiePumblechook · 06/02/2012 16:17

Because your body is engorged there is a chance your body will mend itself.

BoringSchoolChoiceNickname · 06/02/2012 16:18

In your position, given all the circumstances, I would absolutely go for it - you really can't afford to take any risks.

wannaBe · 06/02/2012 16:19

I would.

If they're going to be in there anyway, and you're sure you don't want any more, I see absolutely no reason why not.

And actually I think the comment about "if the baby died" is a bit because ultimately, nothing is certain, is it? A consultant wouldn't refuse to sterilise a woman who had older children and decided her family was complete on the basis that "if one of them died you wouldn't be able to have any more," so why is this different?

cardamomginger · 06/02/2012 16:33

Someone on a thread about this sort of thing a while back said that she hadn't wanted to be sterilized at the same time as her ELCS because she didn't want her child's birthday to be the same day that her fertility was taken away. She'd opted to have the sterilization surgery at a later date.

PosiePumblechook · 06/02/2012 16:36

Two consultants said the risk is it not working and the body healing.

meggles · 08/02/2012 10:15

My understanding is that there is more of a chance of 'regrowth' if done at the same time as C-Section. My mother had her tubes cut/burned when I was born... 13 years later she had twins...

TheEpilator · 08/02/2012 10:21

at the body 'undoing' sterilisation! I knew it happened in blokes but I thought it was a bit more 'final' in the woman's case.

I suppose if you both have it done (belt and braces, as it were) then at least if one of them fails you're still safe!

charlie7 · 08/02/2012 11:10

I had this done 6 weeks ago at the same time as my ELCS. I have 3 DD and am 37, def don't want anymore so it seemed the best idea. No regrets this far as I def couldn't have done another pregnancy and I feel like my family is complete. The doctor who did the ELCS and the sterilising said that they take a part of the tubes out so it's highly unlikely to "mend" itself. Maybe it depends on how it's done.
The way i looked at it was that you have to stop having children at some point and I am so happy with our family that I know that's it!
Hope you decide what's right for you.

TrinaLuciusMalfoy · 08/02/2012 13:00

Mum had it done, I know it didn't cause any extra recovery time over that of a section. Yes there is a risk of it repairing itself - but about the same as the risk of a man's tube repairing themselves after The Snip. What they do in most cases is clamp the tubes shut with metal clips. This completely crushes the tubes so self repair is virtually impossible. In other cases they can remove the tubes altogether - you'd still have your ovaries and your uterus, just not the link in the middle.

hatchypom · 08/02/2012 13:06

Great idea if you are sure, am waiting to have the same conversation with the consultant

RealLifeIsForWimps · 08/02/2012 13:09

I am thinking of getting this done if I end up with a c-section on this pregnancy (no reason why I shd, but I figure if I end up with one, I might as well kill 2 birds with one stone rather than Dh or I getting it done later, which we will inevitably put off). This will only be DC2 but I know I'm done. Even if the absolute worst happened, I wouldn't have anymore.

I dont understand the reluctance of the NHS to perform sterilisations. I find it rather patronising that they don't seem to think that women know their own minds when it comes to fertility.

TrinaLuciusMalfoy · 08/02/2012 13:32

Reluctant? Not a bit of it, the surgical team get (or at very least used to) a bonus for doing a steri with a section...

harrygracejessica · 08/02/2012 13:57

I don't think they would do It though if you were in labour and needed a section as you have to sign consent forms prior to having it done.

I had it done nearly 10 months ago age 30. I asked to gave it done as was having my 4th and 5th babies and my eldest had just turned 4 and it was my 2nd lot of twins and quite frankly I can't do pregnancy again!!!
Only thing I found for 6 months after my periods were heavy and painful but all settled down now

Kayzr · 08/02/2012 14:28

My friend has asked to have this done as she is about to have DC6 and they have said that it is really risky to do during a c section because it can heal and then be useless.

imip · 08/02/2012 14:37

I also had this done 14 days ago. My fifth pregnancy, my fourth surviving child and I am 40. There was no objection to it from drs, it was their suggestion (though agast at the thought that they should get paid a bonus for it!) As someone mentioned, they try to remove as much fallopian tube as possible. I saw mine pickled in their own juices and they were about 6cm long. The failure rate is high (1 in 100) and basically I was told if I skipped a period or felt I was getting morning sickness, I should do a test. The risk of eptopic pregnancy is high also. Also, I was told that they wouldn't reverse if I changed my mind, however, I could still do IVF.

NotnOtter · 08/02/2012 14:42

I was told one in 200 failure rate last week and advised not to bother as vasectomy closer to one in 2000
My consultant was v dismissive of the procedure tbh

Original poster

deemented · 08/02/2012 14:45

I actually spoke to my consultant again this morning about this, and she reassured me that they would be 'taking a good chunk of tube out' rather than clamping them or cutting them, and doing it this way gave better results then either of them.

I am absolutely sure that this is the right thing now for me and my family.

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Methe · 08/02/2012 14:51

My friend had this done recently after her 6th baby (3rd section) and she said that the healing process was exactly the same and it only took a little bit longer in theatre.

I'm only 8w but it's on my list of things to do :) Dh will be having the snip to though.

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