Right after 14 hours of labor or after a long day home alone with screaming kids is not the time to decide on permanent birth control-sterilization. If you sat down calmly and quietly with your partner or alone and come to the decision that it is time to stop reproducing, sterilization can be the answer. If you have any second thoughts, wait and then wait a little longer before making a final decision. There are different options available when you are ready to make the decision to permanently no longer have the ability to reproduce.

TUBAL LIGATION

A portion of the fallopian tube is cut, tied, stitched, or cauterized to keep the egg from being fertilized. Often two or more of the techniques are used to assure the success of tubal ligation.

ELECTRICAL CURRENT

The fallopian tube is sealed shut by the use of an electrical current. The doctor will go into the abdomen through a small incision. It prevents the egg from being fertilized

SILICONE BAND

It is also known as a tubal band. A portion of the tube is looped and then clamped shut with a ring to prevent the egg from being fertilized.

SPRING CLIPS

A round clamp is closed over the fallopian tube and the plastic liner expands to keep the tube closed as it flattens. Another type is a small-toothed clamp that is placed over the fallopian tube and is held closed by spring clamps.

For most women getting a tubal ligation is a simple outpatient surgery with a fast healing time. It is still surgery and there are risks involved along with pain and discomfort of having surgery. Most insurance companies do not cover the cost and the cost can be prohibitive to many women.

With various forms of tubal ligation, the percentages will vary, but over all there is a 2 percent chance of becoming pregnant with about a third of them ending in an ectopic pregnancy. The younger a woman is who has a tubal ligation, the greater the risk of becoming pregnant.

Removing the ovaries or the uterus is a form of sterilization. Those procedures are often done only because of a medical reason and not solely for the purpose of sterilization. The surgery is more involved and the risks are greater.

Once a procedure for sterilization is done, there will be a time of healing and then the doctor will be able to determine if it was successful. During that time before the doctor gives the OK, it will be advised to use other forms of birth control.

Once healing passes, the freedom from former birth control options will be appreciated fully.