For many women who have decided to put their babymaking years behind them, tubal ligation seems like a great option. You won't have to remember birth control pills, schedule appointments for shots or IUDs or track your ovulation. You can simply have sex whenever you want without worrying about becoming pregnant. Of course, that all sounds wonderful, and it is for some, but it's a big decision to make. Here are some things you should consider before going under the knife.
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1. There are two types of tubal ligation. These days, the preferred method of tubal ligation is laparoscopic surgery, which involves a small incision and the fallopian tubes being cut with the assistance of a camera that is inserted into that incision. There are fewer risk factors with laparascopic surgery and the recovery time is shorter. However, not all women are candidates for this method, and the alternate method–a lapartomy–is a considered a major surgery, with all of the typical risks, an overnight hospital stay and a longer recovery.
2. Risk of failure. As many as 19 out of every 1,000 women who have their tubes tied in the U.S. end up pregnant within 10 years. This number may not sound like a lot, but if you're one of those 19 women, an unplanned pregnancy could be a reality. Not only that, but many of the women who have undergone failed tubal ligations end up with ectopic pregnancies, which is often dangerous for the mother and always fatal for the baby.
3. It's permanent. Obviously, the intention of a tubal ligation is to eliminate chances of pregnancy permanently, so it may not seem like a problem initially, but many women are finding themselves attempting to reverse the procedure years down the line–a risky and complicated maneuver. It is often difficult to know where life will lead you, and how you will change over the years, so even though you may think you never want to have children of your own, or you opted for "one and done," your heart's desires could change drastically, and if you've chosen a tubal ligation, you've essentially given up your right to change your mind.
4. There ARE side effects. As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications, which may include heavy bleeding, problems caused by anesthesia, infection etc. But there are also some long-term side effects associated with tubal ligations, most commonly, periods that become quite heavy and painful over time. Some women have also reported hormonal mood swings, which is likely related to a disruption of blood flow between the ovaries and the tubes.
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