To Get Tied or Not?

I had the Mirena installed and absolutely LOVED it! I had no side-effects, my period diminished to NOTHING, and my emotional swings were zilch! It was easy to remove (my hubby wanted to try for #3) and we got pregnant again within 4 months.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

Hi K.
I had mine tied after my 4th baby, my first girl and over 10 pounds! I'm SO glad I did it! I breatfed her until 14 months old, had light to medium periods with little to no cramping (that was all normal for me anyway)and because I hadd no more worries about getting pregnant my libito was actually increased! I didn't gain any weight and stayed at the same weight for 26 yearts. My only regret is that, now that I had to have a hysterectomy (spelling???), is that I didn't have THIS done instead! I'm really glad I did it.

K.:

I don't know anything about side effects, but please put lots of thought into this permanent form of birth control.

I have a couple of friends who had their tubes tied in their 20s because they thought they were done having babies, and they later regretted it. One marriage failed several years later, and the other woman was widowed in her early 30s. Both remarried wonderful men and decided they weren't done having babies after all. One had unsuccessful reversal surgery; the other spent almost $20,000 on in vitro treatments to have a child with her new husband.

Twenty-five is still very young, and a lot of things can happen in life that surprise you. Have you looked at all the nonsurgical options?

I don't know anything about getting your tubes tied, but has your husband considered getting a vasectomy? It's a minor outpatient procedure that's effective and the effects he would experience would be nothing like the ones you would go through if your tubes were tied.

Your body has been through (and is going through) enough! I think it would be a very considerate thing for your husband to do.

My 2 cents. :)

Nope, none of these side effects:)

K., it is so much easier and healthier for your husband to have his tubes tied than yours. I suggest that you discuss this with him and strongly encourage his participation contraception. For men to have their tubes tied, it is a simple outpatient proceedure with little to no ramifications, for women it is an invasive surgery (regardless of what your OB says) and has the potential to cause all the problems you listed in your post. Good luck to you and congrats on the boy!

Make him do it! A vasectomy is an in-office procedure with a short recovery time, whereas getting your tubes tied is done is a hospital with a longer recovery. If you're having a c-section, it may be easier for you than him, but if not consider a vasectomy. Nothing is 100% fool-proof, remember that.

K.,
I had my tubes tied 27 years ago and never experienced ANY of the so-called side affects that you listed. Now I know that I am only one person but I postivitely hope that you realize that every 'side-affect' you listed could also be psychological or be caused by other issues unrelated to having one's tubes tied. I breastfed after having my tubes tied and had no issues. My libido didn't suffer; in fact it was the opposite because I didn't have the added stress of the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy. The periods never got worse until I was in my forties and that is due to hormonal changes at the onset of menopause. As for weight gain. Holy cow what a thing to blame weight gain on. I can't see any possible reason why having one's tubes tied would become a weight gain issue...unless again there were psychological issues in play. If I were you I'd take into account the emotional state of those who are telling you about these side affects.

If you really want to do this and feel good about your choice to do it I'd say just do it because if you have a good attitude about it without any doubts about doing it you most likely won't experience one single side-affect. Having my tubes tied was the best thing I ever did as I was done having children and wanted the freedom of not having to deal with birth control methods none or which are 100% foolproof and some can be unhealthy for us. Besides if you change your mind later it can be reversed. I personally know someone who had her tubes tied while married to one man but later in her life after divorcing and remarrying decided she wanted to have children with her new husband. The reversal was successful and that was waaaaaaaaaay back in 1982 so you can imagine how much medical science has improved since then...

Like it or not, believe it or not, our minds control these sort of things like pain during breastfeeding, libido, cramps during periods and weight gain not having our tubes tied.

Good Luck.

I had mine tied after the birth of my 2nd daughter (almost 4yrs ago). While I haven't suffered any really bad side effects, if I would have know then what I know now I probably would have waited or had my husband get the big V.

They make a couple inscission in and around your belly button and use a laproscosy (spelling sorry) It's a pretty quick proceedure they just gave me a spinal (like a epideural) and some medicine that made me woozy and not really care about what was going on, next thing I knew I was back in my room. I experienced minor discomfort which I had to work through for a couple of days with a newborn that was not fun but since then no problems.

I'm now 38yrs old so I'm a bit older than you and I was definately ready to commit to no more kids (I had rough pregnancies) It would have been far easier to have my husband have a vasectomy or me have my tubes tied 6 months or so after delivery.

HTH
E.

I do not have my tubes tied, but I too have heard of these side effects, especially the pain from nursing in the beginning. hen again this person also had a csection.
I chose to go with the mirena implant, You dont have to worry about it for 5yrs or something like that. It can be easily removed if you guys change your mind in the future. Personally I love it and havent experienced any side effects. It only effects your uterus so you dont have hormones runnng through the est of your body to cause the weight gain and what not.

Have you talked to your husband about him getting a vasectomy instead? It is typically less expensive than getting your tubes tied and is a less invasive procedure. My husband had it done shortly after our 3rd child was born and it is a simple in office procedure. You are going thru enough without having to worry about recovering from yet another thing. That's just my 2 cents though. :)

My advice would be to talk to your doctor about this. I have only had an experience of watching my mother with her complications from it, so it is a bit out of date, but I will share anyways. She had it done in 1993 and honestly at first she was fine, but a few years later the symptoms you just listed all showed up, minus the breastfeeding of course. She had extreme PMS and hemorrhaged all the time. She was finally convinced to have a hysterectomy about two years ago and all the symptoms are gone. Due to my concerns my husband will be the one going under the knife when baby #4 is born in February. I am only 27, so I waited to be sure I was ready and didn't want any more. We are 100% sure we are done, now so we will be going through with it. My sister talked to her doctor about getting it done, since she gets C-sections and he advised her against it, so talk to your doctor and decide with your husband what is best for your family.

I had my tubes tied after my daughter was born and didn't experience any of the problems you mentioned.

In the procedure they were supposed to "band" my tubes, but the banding tool wasn't working right, so they actually cut and cauterized each of the ends of the tubes. I didn't have weight problems - but then I did breastfeed and exercise to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Breastfeeding wasn't any more painful than with my older child, though I had problems with my milk coming in and had to pump a lot at first. My periods started up 2 mos after childbirth and became less severe/shorter duration. I attributed that at the time to the fact that I was still breastfeeding because now they're about the same as before.

I don't see how libido could be negatively affected except intellectually - it's not like you're having anything removed, and the tubes themselves don't supply any hormones. Afterward I felt more confident that I wouldn't accidentally get pregnant, so that actually helped my sex drive. The worst problem for me was lack of sleep leaving not enough energy for sex, even when I did want it.

The main thing here was that my husband was more worried about problems having a vasectomy and so it was easy for me to take those concerns off the table and just have my tubes taken care of.

I had my tubes tied after the vaginal birth of my second child. Procedure was comfortable and pretty quick. I was told the pain was the same as having a c-section. The pain was a bit troublesome at first, but didn't stop me from nursing. My periods were worse than usual at first, but have seemed to leveled out. Haven't noticed libido or weight gain issues. Overall, I would do it again to not have to worry about having more babies. Way too fertile over here! Good Luck!

I highly recommend getting your tubes tied! I had mine tied after my second son was born and it has been a totally positive experience. No side effects. I also had planned c-sections and my recoveries even with the tubal ligation were super easy. I could have gone shopping the day I got home from the hospital, I felt great after 3 days. Congratulations and good luck!

I had my "bilateral tubal ligation" when I had my fourth child. It was easy, since they already had access with my (planned) c-section. I don't have heavier periods or more severe cramps and there was no change in my sex drive. I did not have any adverse weight gain. As far as nursing... he was the only baby I was able to successfully nurse for a full year, so no problems there. It's a great way to prevent further pregnancies if you don't want any "slip ups", although some rare women do get pregnant with their tubes tied... I have complications with pregnancies and a history of ectopic pregnancy (while using an IUD--that's not an option anymore), so my doc tied, burned and severed mine... He asked me if I was absolutely certain that I NEVER wanted any chance of a pregnancy. My husband and I had long decided that #4 was our absolute last. Additionally, my husband got the V because we know that things happen in our lives and we could, one day, wind up apart by circumstances (death, divorce, etc) and neither one of us wants more children for ourselves and we want to avoid any more complications in our kids' lives if either one of those unfortunate events should occur. Either way, we're covered.

Congratulations on your little son. It's a whole new world from girls, but so much fun. Whatever you decide, good luck to you.

I had my tubes tied the day after my last son was born. I was able to breastfeed just fine afterwards with no problems. With my period, the first few months when it came back yes the cramps were worse and heavier bleading for the first few days and even 4 years later, the first day or two of my period it heavier but the other days are really light and my body actually warns me the day before that it is going to start and I spot, so I am thankful for that since I don't have a "pill" to tell me when I will start anymore. My libido hasn't changed, and weight gain hasn't been a problem either. I hope that this info helps. I know it is a tough decision and I won't lie to you, if you have a natural birth and then have it done, it does hurt for a few days, and if you get sharp pains in weird places, try to take gas X, I was having horrible pain in my shoulder of all places and realized it was from the gas that they put in you to expand your stomach to do it laproscopicly, once I took the gas x I was fine. Good Luck and congrats!!

I haven't had my tubes tied, but we looked into it when we had our last kid and it was much less invasive to have my husband get a vasectomy. It was easy on him and no side effects (other than no babies). I would check out that option before you guys decide. Good luck

I am 27 and we just had our 3rd baby and I made DH go get a V. I told him that I carried the babies, I gave birth (naturally) to all 3 of them, and I am the one that has to nurse and care for them the most in the first year of life so the least he could do is save me a major surgery.

It is for women, a major surgery! You have to go under and everything! I avoided surgery through all my pregnancies just to choose to do it after? No way! LOL

I know men are sensative about their "parts", but it's not that big of a deal. It takes about a half hour or so and then they just need someone to drive them home for odvious reasons. They just numb the sack, so there is no going under. They just need to take it easy and ice or apply heat (whatever helps) and take the pain meds (my hubby only needed motrin) for about 3 or 4 days. The taking it easy part is big! If they try to do too much they can make it take longer to heal. It'll look scary since it'll turn a little black and blue and swell some, but that goes away quickly.
We are 4 months out and there is no scar and DH says is was easy and doesn't regret it at all.

Seriously..it's his turn. Plus it is highly reversable if we were to change our minds..not gonna happen, but good to know!

If you are on your 3rd kid, get tied if you feel you are done. Just know that even though people say the procedure is reversible (in case you ever choose to get it done) the chances of the reversal working are very, very slim. Also, getting your tubes tied isn't a guarantee that you won't get pregnant. It's not 100% effective. I'm 31 and just recently had my 2nd child, a girl. I already have a 6 yr old son. I'm pretty much done with having any more children. I opted to do the Mirena because it's supposed to be 99.9% effective and lasts up to five years with minimal side effects. Ask your doctor about that option as well. :D Btw, congrats on the upcoming birth!

Can husband get vasectomy? Much less invasive procedure...it is like a 45 min. procedure, and they heal within the week. Much better idea than tying the tubes if at all possible...and then if something does change in your plans, they can usually reverse the vasectomy!

Thanks for asking this question because I am thinking of having my tubes tied after I have my 3rd via C-section. I am only 30 but have high risk pregnancies due to my Type 1 diabetes.

You are young, but you know your situation better than anyone. If I were not getting a C-section my husband would definitely be getting a vasectomy instead of me getting my tubes tied.

You've gotten some great advice and a few things to consider.

Good Luck!
M.

I had a second C-section 2 years ago. My husband REALLY wanted me to get my tubes tied (they are already in there to deliver, might was well snip). NO WAY for me! I really dont want anymore children, Love mine to death, but happy with 2.
Among countless side affects, my doctor told me that a large majority of women end up using another form of birth control anyway (to help with PMS and such). He also mentioned that some women's periods get much worse after. Because of all of this and the expense of having my tubes untied if I change my mind in five-ten years: I went with the Merina IUD. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
1. It is as affective as sterilization (yes, there is a minute chance you could concieve, but same goes for tubal ligation)...
2. No nasty side affects (a little tiny cramping for a couple days.
3. NO PERIOD!!!
4. Doesnt affect libedo (sex drive)
5. No weight gain.
6. last for 5 years....
I could go on and on...but talk to your doctor to find out what he recommends for you. Good luck!!!

After our second child my husband had a vasectomy. I had a vaginal birth so an invasive procedure did not make seance. We were done having kids, so being able to get off birth control seemed the thing to do. I am now 31, and would love to have another child, but can not. Really think about this! You are only 25, you never know what the future my hold for your life, mind, or heart.

I had two c-sections and after the 2nd one they asked if I wanted a tubal ligation while they were in there. I didn't do it because of all the concerns you have and also because I was uncomfortable doing it while my baby was newborn. What if something happened to her?! Not that she could ever be replaced, but I would want another one if anything were to happen to her. Needless to say she is almost 3 years old and happy and healthy! We waited until she was about 1 and then my husband had a vasectomy. It's a lot easier on the guy that it is on the woman to have a procedure done! He was up and around after just a couple of days. For you, especially since you are birthing vaginally, it would be a major surgery and probably about 6 weeks of recovery. I would highly recommend talking with your hubby about this option. Good luck!
T.

I had my tubes tied years ago (after my fourth child) and had no problems at all. It was an outpatient procedure with general anesthesia and they went in thru my belly button. The only restrictions were no sex or heavy lifting for 2 weeks. I had none of the above mentioned problems. Just remember if you should change your mind the chances of a reversal working are slim.

T.

I got my tubes tied after baby #4.... -no- side-effects.

I've only heard about one of those side-effects from my doctor... And that's the period one. Seriously, though, I've never known anyone to actually have even that one.

Honestly, you'll probably have some cramping right afterwards, but that's not from the tubes being tied. It's because they have to put air into your abdomen so they can see what they're doing. The small amount of air that's left in after they're done will get absorbed and cause a bit of gas cramping, but nothing that tylenol can't handle.

Do keep in mind that it's not 100% effective. It's over 99% effective, and has a higher rate of pregnancy prevention than the pill, but that does leave the few, the proud, the statistical anomalies.

I'm one of those anomalies myself. With the pill+condoms+spermicidal foam resulting in three of my four pregnancies, I'm always extra careful between ovulation and my period. Even with my tubes being tied I've had two pregnancies. They ended in miscarriage, but they happened.

Tying your tubes does not cause any hormonal imbalance... -nothing- is taken out for it to change! However, many women who have their tubes tied -also- stop taking the pill at the same time. That can cause the side-effects that you mentioned. So, if you're taking the pill, you may want to talk to your doctor about continuing to take it to regulate your hormone levels unless you don't mind the fluctuation while your body readjusts to it's natural cycle.

Good luck and hope this information helped!