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Original poster

Talk to me about about sterilisation (please) .....

43 replies

SpaceTrain · 23/12/2008 10:24

I am pretty content that this pregnancy will be my lat, bar any tragedy happening to to the children.

I am therefore thinking that when I have my c-section I might ask them to tie my tubes at the same time.

However, I was wondering if there is a way that they could do this that could potentially be reversible in the future (if any tragedy were to befall our children and I felt the need for another as a result)?

I'm also not sure what the effects of such a procedure would be? Does it effect you hormonally?

Has anyone had it done and regretted it?

Thanks in advance for any advice/insights you can give.

OP posts:
PuzzYuleLogs · 23/12/2008 20:19

BUMP

Lulumamaloveslatkes · 23/12/2008 20:20

ok, if you are sterilised the same time as a c.s, there is a slightly increased chance of failure

also, if you are even contemplating a reversal or wanting to have it reversed or wanting to have more children if a tragedy struck, do not do it

have a mirena coil, they are v v effective sterilisation and reversible

how old are you?

countingto10 · 23/12/2008 21:29

I was sterilsed after my 4th cs, consultant wanted to do it as he didn't want me to have any more c-sections. I knew it was probably the right thing to do as I would have had more DC. There is a higher failure rate but I figured that as I was pushing 40 and had had 4 cs that I would take the risk. DH didn't fancy the snip. I haven't had any problems and am not pregnant 4 years down the line.

If you have any doubts you really shouldn't have it done.

hertsnessex · 23/12/2008 21:38

There isnt an easy reversible way - if you have clips put on your tubes then they can be remoed - but it often fails.

dont do it if you even think for 1% you want more. have a coil or the pill.

x

expatinscotland · 23/12/2008 21:40

If you have them cut it's more reliable than the clips, according to my HV, who was first a midwife.

I'm going for the cut in Feb. myself.

Cannot take the Mirena coil myself as progesten and me don't get on.

I'm nearly 38, have three children and a history of worsening PND so it's been no bother for me to get a referral.

KateF · 23/12/2008 21:40

You must consider it irreversible. I was sterilised after dd3, no problems since, sometimes feel sad that I can never have another baby but it was entirely the right decision.

emma1977 · 23/12/2008 22:01

Should be reversible. Any element of doubt and you really shouldn't have it done.

Mirena or implant would be a better option perhaps as possibly more effective than a C-section sterilisation, and the added bonus that they are reversible.

If you do go for sterilisation and in future want more children, bear in mind that most PCTs won't fund the op, there is a high failure rate and that IVF is a better option for success.

I saw a patient at her 6 week postnatal check today who had a sterilisation at C-section and now regrets it and wants it reversed. I almost hit my head on the table in frustration.

expatinscotland · 23/12/2008 22:04

'Any element of doubt and you really shouldn't have it done.'

AMEN!

No element of doubt here for me personally and there hasn't been since even before I had DS, my third.

Done, dusted.

One thumb up as the anaesthetist injects the other hand.

Come hell or high water, I don't ever want to be pregnant again.

I don't believe in abortion as an option for me, I couldn't live with it as an option.

State of mental health: poor.

38 when I have it done.

Game OVER.

NO ONE, including men, should be sterilised unless they are 100% sure and I don't belive the NHS should pay for reversals unless perhaps the person's children have all died.

Call me judgmental.

expatinscotland · 23/12/2008 22:05

i can't use any form of hormonal contraception, otherwise, i'd do it before sterilisation.

can't do copper coil because i believe it is an abortificant and my conscience can't go there.

lou33 · 23/12/2008 22:06

7 yrs on, not regretted it for a single second

feels v v liberating

whomovedmychocolate · 23/12/2008 22:07

The failure rate for tubal ligation during caesarians is actually 10%. They recommend the coil now or other contraceptive options if you are 35 or older (suggesting leaving it in if you are likely to go through menopause soon anyway).

I don't want more kids and have been refused one Apparently I don't have enough kids

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 23/12/2008 22:30

If you've been refused one then get a 2nd opinion. No Dr has a right to make that decision for you.

I got sterilised at 26 with one child. Never regretted it. I wwas old enough and intelligent enough to make decisions about MY body. Luckily I never had any trouble getting referred and the Gynae was happy to go ahead.

emma1977 · 23/12/2008 22:32

Don't know what went wrong in my 1st sentence- was meant to say 'should be considered to be irreversible'.

Brain-hand coordination not as it should be here, sorry.

nappyzonehasastroppytoddler · 23/12/2008 22:34

ooo im interested,,,, considered one for a while - dh wont have snip as is a big wimp big time and i dont trust his swimmers not to get through or linger and i figure this more final.

emma1977 · 23/12/2008 22:36

SKSS- There is a lot of evidence that younger women or those with only one child or who are ambivalent about future children regret sterilisation a lot more and are more inclined to ask for a reversal at a later date. Asking for a second opinion is fine, but you can't bully a surgeon into performing an operation on someone that they are not comfortable about.

muggglewump · 23/12/2008 22:41

I had it done this year at 30 as the single parent of an only child and I have no regrets. I knew it was what I wanted and although the doctor ummed a bit he let me go ahead.

I think you have to be accept that the children you have are the only children you will ever have, no matter what may happen in the future. Unless you can accept that then I'd reconsider.

EachPeachPearMum · 23/12/2008 22:57

Could I ask.... if you don't have it done when you're already 'open' (eg c-section) how do they do it? Is it a painful procedure?

whomovedmychocolate · 23/12/2008 23:08

Stripey - it's a cost thing round here, the LHA has decided on the criteria and I don't fit it! It's done through laporoscopy Each Peach.

EachPeachPearMum · 23/12/2008 23:12

A cost thing?
Surely another pg and birth- especially the pgs you go through would be far in excess of the costs of a procedure like that? That's before you get to your own emotional, physical and mental health!
Madness!

lou33 · 23/12/2008 23:13

it's done by laparoscopy

whomovedmychocolate · 23/12/2008 23:18

Quite that was my argument. Next pregnancy I've been told to expect to be admitted much earlier (which would be umm ooh about 20 weeks then).

Or, an outpatient appt costing £2k (less actually as I only need a spinal because I don't want to be knocked out!)

EachPeachPearMum · 23/12/2008 23:26

Except that you don't want another pg....

Looks like you're never having sex again then!

whomovedmychocolate · 23/12/2008 23:32

Well it hasn't happened so far (the sex I mean) and DS is such a little bugger for staying up all night I reckon I'm safe for a while yet - unfortunately

Not bad for someone who was told she was 'completely unable to have children' though

Original poster
SpaceTrain · 24/12/2008 13:35

Sorry not to have returned to the thread before now. Thanks for all your advice and help.

To answer some of your questions, I am 31 and preg with my second child. I am sure that after i have this one our family will be complete (bar, as I said in my OP a tragedy such as cot death).

I'm surprised at how unreliable it can be when done with a c-section. Not sure I like those odds of getting pregnant again! I think I'll look into the copper coil as an alternative. (Can't have Mirena as it gave me ovarian cysts and as a result of friends' reactions I am wary of the implant or injection).

Expat - out of interest, why do you view the copper coil as an abortificant?

Thanks again for all your advice.

OP posts:
StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 24/12/2008 15:04

SpaceTrain - IIRC the copper coil doesn't stop your egg being fertilised. Instead it prevents the fertilised egg implanting. A friend won't have one for that reason.