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Step 1
Know the tubal procedure. A surgeon may clip, band, cut, burn or stitch them closed. Types of tubal ligations include: Laparoscopy (surgery done with several small incisions using a camera to see inside the body), Mini-laparotomy (surgery done with an incision that is two inches long or less); Postpartum tubal ligation (done immediately after birth through an incision below the navel) and Laparotomy (a large incision in the abdomen). Less common methods include culdoscopy, hysteroscopy or hysterectomy. Your doctor will use a local, regional or general anesthetic depending upon the type of surgery. Your doctor will help you decide on the type of surgery you need depending on your individual situation.
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Step 2
Consider tubal implants. A relatively new procedure, tubal implants have the same permanent effects as tubal ligations except they involve placing metal springs in each of the fallopian tubes. You won't need surgery or a hospital stay for this outpatient procedure. After three months, your doctor will take an X-ray of the fallopian tubes to ensure the formation of scar tissue around the springs, totally blocking the fallopian tubes. Use a backup form of birth control during the three-month wait period when using tubal implants.
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Step 3
Realize that tubal ligation and/or implants have pros, and cons. The benefits include permanent birth control, relative cost-effectiveness (one-time cost, usually taken care of at least in part by insurance) and the ability to have sexual intercourse without worrying about pregnancy. The disadvantages include the fact that these procedures are permanent; if a woman changes her mind and wants to become pregnant later, she may not.
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Step 4
Be aware of the risks of these procedures. Infection and wound separation affect around 11% of women after a mini-laparotomy and 6% of women after a laparoscopy. Other less common risks can include hemorrhaging, problems with anesthesia use, an organ injury during surgery and the need to make a larger incision than originally planned. If a tubal ligation or implant fails (chances of this happening are between .5% and 1.8% for tubal ligation; and no one has reported a pregnancy with tubal implants) an ectopic pregnancy may occur. This serious condition is when a fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
