What you can expect

Tubal ligation can be done:

• Following a vaginal birth using a small incision under the belly button (mini-laparotomy)
• During a C-section
• Anytime as an outpatient procedure using a laparoscope and short-acting general anesthesia (interval tubal ligation)

Before the procedure

You may be asked to take a pregnancy test to make sure you're not pregnant.

During the procedure

If you have an interval tubal ligation as an outpatient procedure, either a needle is inserted or an incision is made through your belly button so your abdomen can be inflated with gas (carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide). Then a laparoscope is inserted into your abdomen.

In most cases, your doctor will make a second small incision to insert special instruments through the abdominal wall. Your doctor uses these instruments to seal the fallopian tubes by destroying parts of the tubes or blocking them with plastic rings or clips.

If you have a tubal ligation after vaginal childbirth, your doctor will likely make a small incision under your belly button, providing easy access to your uterus and fallopian tubes. If you have a tubal ligation during a C-section, your health care provider will use the incision that was made to deliver the baby.

After the procedure

If gas was used during tubal ligation, it will be removed when the procedure is done. You may be allowed to go home several hours after an interval tubal ligation. Having a tubal ligation immediately following childbirth doesn't usually involve a longer hospital stay.

You'll have some discomfort at the incision site. You might also have:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Gassiness or bloating
• Shoulder pain

Your health care provider will discuss management of any post-procedure pain with you, before you go home from the hospital.

You may bathe 48 hours after the procedure, but avoid straining or rubbing the incision. Carefully dry the incision after bathing.

Avoid heavy lifting and sex until your health care provider informs you that it's safe to do so. Resume your normal activities gradually as you begin to feel better. Your stitches will dissolve and won't require removal. Check with your health care provider to see if you need a follow-up appointment.

If you have any concerns that you aren't healing properly, call your doctor. Call your health care provider immediately if you have:

• Temperature of 100.4 F (38 C) or greater
• Fainting spells
• Severe abdominal pain that continues or gets worse after 12 hours
• Bleeding from your wound through your bandage
• Discharge from your wound that is foul smelling