Permanent BC?
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Permanent BC?
| Tue, 07-06-2004 - 10:11pm |
Hi everyone. I just found this board and need to ask a question. We just had our fourth baby in June. We definitely are finished having children. I was going to have my tubes tied, but chickened out because I didn't want to be put to sleep. So, my question is what can I use that is pretty much as effective as a tubal, but not have to go through surgery? Thanks for any input.

~*~Jenn~*~
Congratulations on the birth of your fourth child!
Have you and DH talked about the possibility of him having a vasectomy? It is a simple outpatient procedure and far less invasive than a TL. If a vas. isn't in the cards then there is a new sterilization method called Essure http://www.essure.com/consumer/c_homepage.aspx Tiny coils are inserted into your tubes (through the vagina and cervix so there is no incision) and scar tissue forms around them until the tubes are completely blocked. Or, you might want to consider an IUD. An IUD is about as effective as a TL and will be effective for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type. See missmuffi's post about the IUD in the FAQs at the top of this board. If you have more questions, please ask. I hope you find a method that will work well for you.
Good luck,
Jill
I, like you, did not want to be put to sleep so I didnt have a tubal. (Its funny how things change after you have children!) After several discussions, my husband had a vasectomy. Now, believe me, he was absolutely against it in the very beginning. But then when he realized the differences between a tubal and a vasectomy he did it. Where I am in the USA, it took 4 months to get an appointment with the urologist(and a very good one I might add). After the consult, the procedure was scheduled 30 days later(just in case ya'll have a change of heart). We arrived at 7am, the surgery was at 8, and we were back home at 930(stopped to pick up meds). That first day he was required to rest; only get up to use the bathroom. He was given an antibiotic which he took, and vicodin for pain which he did not need- not even a tylenol! Some say to keep ice on the area but our instructions did not require it. I insisted and he did for about 15 min, but didnt not like the coldness. He never had any swelling. The next day he was out and about without a problem. He wasnt able to lift over 10lbs for 7 days. He said all he ever felt was sore and that was only for a couple days. Three months after the surgery he had a post-vasectomy sperm analysis and at 4 months also. After 2 consecutive results that were negative for sperm we were able to forgo other means of birth control(for us it was condoms). With our insurance (which paid 80%) the whole thing, including office visit, hospital, and lab fees cost a total of 50 bucks! My tubal would have cost hundreds. As for any after effects we are happy to say there are none. No pain, no discomfort.
I hope this helps you. If this is not the way to go for ya'll, and the tubal isnt either, maybe an IUD? There is great info about that in the FAQ folder. Let us know what you decide.
Best wishes!
Josie