The Women's Specialists of Plano in Plano, Texas (http://obgynplano.com) offers permanent female sterilization through tubal ligation surgery. There are both pros and cons to having this procedure and thus it is important to understand all of your options prior to surgery. This article discusses tubal ligation surgery for women which is considered permanent birth control. It also offers the various ways tubal ligation procedures are performed.

1. This article was originally published on http://obgynplano.com on January 30, 2012
Female Tubal Ligation | Sterilization for Women | Permanent Birth Control for Women | Plano, Texas
The Women’s Specialists of Plano (Texas) a group of gynecologists servicing the greater North Dallas
and Collin County areas, participated in this feature on permanent birth control for women.
Whether or not to have a baby is a choice that
most women are free to make. There are times in
a woman’s life when she will desire to be sexually
active, but not become pregnant. When a woman
is not ready to have children, or if she is unsure
whether or not she would like to have children in
the future, a temporary (reversible) contraception
method is recommended. These types of
contraception methods include birth control pills,
intrauterine contraception devices (such as an
IUD), a diaphragm, contraceptive foam, gels,
condoms, etc.
When a woman is sure that she does not want to have children in the future a surgical procedure is
usually recommended. In a traditional family, a discussion of a vasectomy or a tubal ligation ensues.
These recommended procedures are considered “permanent birth control”.
Female tubal ligation surgery is a procedure in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are cut, tied, or blocked
to prevent future fertilization and implantation during sexual intercourse. According to the Women’s
Specialists of Plano, there are many approaches to this surgery, which is considered sterilization for
women, and only your doctor will know which procedure is most suitable for your body and lifestyle. A
few of the female tubal ligation approaches are:
• Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation:
During this procedure your
gynecologist will insert a small
camera and surgical instruments
through a very small incision made
in the abdomen. The tubal ligation
will take place via this method
which is considered a more
minimally invasive approach.
• Mini-Laparotomy: During this
procedure your gynecologist will
perform the surgery by making an
incision in the abdomen about 2
inches in length.
• Post-Partum Tubal Ligation: This
procedure is very similar to the
mini-lap, except that the incision will be made just below the belly button because the fallopian tubes
are higher in body after childbirth.
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2. • Open Tubal Ligation: This procedure is performed when a woman desires a tubal after delivering via
caesarean section, because the abdomen is already open. This procedure is also performed when a
woman has pelvic inflammatory disease, or is already receiving a surgery which requires the opening
of the abdomen.
• Trans-uterine tubal occlusion: This procedure is performed with anesthesia. The cervix is dilated and
a hysterscope is placed in the uterine cavity. The opening of the tube into the uterus is identified and
a “plug” is placed into the fallopian tube as it passes through the uterine wall.
A lot of women choose to receive a post-partum tubal ligation while they are pregnant with their last
child. This procedure is popular because it eliminates the issue of having two recoveries periods. Most
women have recovered from their tubal ligation long before they recover from childbirth. This procedure
is especially productive when a woman receives a C-Section, though a vaginal birth does not make the
procedure impossible.
If you change your mind after receiving a tubal ligation surgery and decide that you may want to have
children in the future, there is a reversal procedure. But the reversal procedure is not 100% effective;
hence the reason a tubal ligation is considered permanent birth control for women.
The recovery period after most tubal ligations is about a week though you will most likely leave the
hospital within a few hours after surgery. Because the procedure is immediately effective, you can
maintain sexual activity as soon as you feel well enough. You will be permitted to shower (not bathe) 24
hours after the surgery, though scrubbing of the incision is not permitted.
As with every surgical procedure, female tubal ligation surgery has both pros and cons:
Pros:
• Sterilization for women that is effective immediately
• It can be done at the same time as other surgeries like C-section or the removal of ovarian cysts
• It is a very reliable form of permanent birth control
• Requires no daily attention
• More cost effective in the long run then a daily procedure
• Allows for sexual spontaneity
Cons:
• It is a surgery
• Every surgery has associated risks
• Is not 100% reversible in the event of regret
• Does not protect against STD’s (only the proper use of condoms can do this)
• Is more expensive than the male form of permanent contraception (vasectomy)
If you are researching permanent birth control for women, it is suggested that you do proper research
and reflection to be sure that you will not regret the decision in the future. If you are sure about your
decision to receive permanent birth control (sterilization for women), join your doctor so that the two of
you can discuss which procedure will be most fitting to your life.
(Resources: Women’s Specialists of Plano, Texas)