Postpartum Tubal Ligation Surgery

After the anesthesia takes effect, your doctor will begin the postpartum tubal ligation surgery by making a small incision, or cut, in or below your navel. Through the incision, the doctor will lift out the fallopian tube and tie threadlike material around it, creating a small loop. Part of this loop is then removed. This threadlike tie will dissolve on its own, and the two ends of the cut tube will separate and remain closed. The process is then repeated on the other fallopian tube.

Tubal Ligation After Pregnancy

Postpartum Tubal Ligation: An Introduction

Tubal ligation is a procedure that is sometimes called "having your tubes tied." There are two types of tubal ligation:

Laparoscopic bilateral tubal ligation (BTL)
Postpartum bilateral tubal ligation.

Postpartum tubal ligation is when a woman has her tubes tied right after giving birth. This article will discuss postpartum tubal ligation surgery.

(Click Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation or Tubal Ligation Procedure for more information on laparoscopic tubal ligation.)

Postpartum Tubal Ligation: The Procedure Itself

After your anesthesia takes effect, to help reduce the chance of infection, the surgical area will be washed with a special disinfectant solution, and you will be covered with sterile sheets.

Your doctor will begin the tubal ligation surgery by making a small incision, or cut, in or below your navel. Your doctor will then place a finger into your abdomen and locate the first fallopian tube. The tube will then be gently pulled out through the incision.

Absorbable threadlike material will be tied around the tube, creating a small loop. A part of the loop will then be removed. The tube is then returned to the abdomen. The process is repeated on your other fallopian tube. This threadlike tie will dissolve on its own, and the two ends of the cut tube will separate and remain closed.

After both tubes have been tied off and cut, your doctor will then stitch the incision in your navel closed and a sterile bandage will be applied. Over time, these stitches will be dissolved by your body. Tubal ligation surgery itself lasts between 15 and 45 minutes.