Tubectomy

Tubectomy is another name for female sterilization, any of the following people can go for a tubectomy:

• Women who do not want to get pregnant and want a permanent solution for contraception.
• Women who already have a child and do not wish to get pregnant again.
• Women who are likely to have a high-risk pregnancy. For example, women who are older than 35 or those who have a pre-existing medical condition like high blood pressure or those who have had recurrent miscarriages.

Before the procedure, your doctor will conduct a physical examination including a pelvic exam to rule out any problems in the organs in the abdomen and pelvic region. For example, if you have gallbladder stones, then surgery may have to be postponed till this is treated.

Tubectomy is usually carried out laparoscopically, that is, a small cut is made near the belly button or just above the pubic hairline. Then a stick-like instrument, with a camera attached to it, is inserted into the woman’s body. This instrument is called a laparoscope - it is used so the surgeon can see the fallopian tubes properly. Tubectomy can be done by various methods:

• The fallopian tube can be cut in half and then both the ends are tied together.
• The fallopian tubes can be blocked by clipping them (using clips) or tying them together.
• Electric current is used to char parts of the fallopian tube.
• The fallopian tube can be tied using a silastic (silicone) band.
• The surgeon may also remove the entire fallopian tube.

The woman is usually given the all-clear to go home after the anaesthesia wears off. There are a few things that have to be kept in mind during recovery after tubectomy:

• You need to keep your incision site clean and dry for a few weeks.
• If you have some vaginal bleeding, use a sanitary napkin. Do not use a tampon. 
• Do not practice intense exercise for a week.
• You can have sex after waiting a week after the tubectomy.

The benefits of tubectomy are:

• The woman does not require any birth control methods after the operation.
• It does not interfere with the sex-drive of the woman.
• It will not affect the hormone levels of the body.
• If a woman is undergoing cesarean delivery, then the surgeon can perform tubectomy from the same incision site immediately after the baby is taken out of the mother.

The disadvantages of tubectomy are:

• The woman should not regret after the procedure afterwards, as it is permanent. The woman must go through health counselling before going for the treatment. 
• It would not protect a woman from sexually transmitted diseases, so protection via condoms would still be required.
• Though the reversal of the procedure is possible, it does not guarantee fertility. 

If in any case, the woman gets pregnant, she would be at a high risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo gets attached anywhere but the uterus (womb).

Though the procedure does not bear serious risks, there is a possibility of some surgery-related complications which may require medical attention:

• Unbearable abdominal pain
• Bleeding from the surgical site
• Unusual discharge from the vagina
• Fever
• Difficulty breathing 
• Injury to the surrounding organs like the bowels or ureter during surgery
• Ectopic pregnancy