Giving birth to a child is one of the most amazing things about being a woman. You are able to bring life into the world, which is something that should not be taken for granted. Many women go on to have more than one child. As you age, you are more prone to have female problems from fibroids to uterine cancer. However, around 700,000 women are choosing every year to tie their fallopian tubes.

A tubal ligation is considered a permanent method of birth control for women. It is usually done by an obgyn doctor, but can be done by a general surgeon or family medicine doctor. Read on to find out how to permanently stop having children with a tubal ligation.

What Are The Different Ways?

A gynecologist has to close your fallopian tubes to stop you from having babies. There is more than one way to perform this procedure. The different techniques include burning, clipping, stitching, or cutting your tubes.

Laparoscopic Procedure

A laparoscopy is a procedure that blocks or cuts your fallopian tubes. It prevents pregnancy because it blocks the path of your egg to your uterus and any sperm. This procedure makes it possible to do the surgery through small incisions in your stomach.

Postpartum Tubal Ligation

A postpartum tubal ligation closes your fallopian tubes. It is done as a mini-laparotomy after childbirth. After childbirth, your fallopian tubes are located in a higher position in your stomach. This procedure is done by making an incision below your navel.

Open Tubal Ligation

An open tubal ligation is done through a large incision in your stomach. This surgery is done with other procedures like pelvic surgery, endometriosis, or with a cesarean section. An open tubal ligation is recommended when dealing with these conditions. If you do not go with an open surgery, then there is the possibility of scarring or organs sticking together.

Is It Permanent?

Most people want to know if a tubal ligation is permanent. It is possible to reverse this procedure, but your chances of becoming pregnant again are not very high.

It can be a difficult decision to stop having children. You should have the conversation with your spouse. The next step is to talk to your doctor about your decision. Your doctor will explain the magnitude of your decision. He also will explain to you about your available options. If you are ready to make your decision about fertility, then you should schedule your appointment with your gynecologist, like one from Florham Park OB/GYN Dr. Donald Chervenak MD.