If you had a tubal what was your experience?

[Deleted]

The closer I get to my delivery date the less I want to try for a VBAC. I actually think having a tubal and an RCS may be the best option for our family.

I'm trying to think of downsides (DH is more than willing to get a V, but the OOP will be significantly more and I'll already be in surgery so I figured why not). We are 110% done with kids after this one. 

Things I'm wondering about - recovery time, potential complications, how was your period situation, and will I still be able to BF with whatever hormonal stuff is going on. 

TIA - this is really the first time I've seriously considered it so sorry for the dumb questions!

[IrishBelle]

I had a RCS and planned for a tubal at the same time. Recovery time wasn't any different than my first c-section and I didn't have any complications. I will say though that my periods have been much heavier since having the tubal. Not sure if that was the cause or if was due to my age, the pregnancy or something else.

[jeaniebueller]

I had a RCS and a tubal. I decided on the tubal around like 34 weeks too. Initially, we thought H would have a V but then my doctor brought up tubals and I figured why not since I was already having the surgery anyway. It didn't seem to affect my recovery at all. MY periods are a bit heavier the first day or two and usually last 6 or 7 days (but not all heavy bleeding at all, 1 or 2 days of heavier bleeding and the rest on and off light to medium...TMI) but I attribute that to age and being post childbirth.

[Deleted]

I've actually heard that periods are generally heavier post tubal. How long did it take for your period to return? After DS I didn't have a period for almost a year because I was BFing. That was a really nice side benefit!

[glitzy07]

I've wondered about this a bit if I end up having a RCS. I'm planning to try for a VBAC, but we're done with kids after this one and it may be worth looking into if the VBAC doesn't work out.

My one concern is the timing. I know a lot of people wait a few months/a year out from baby being born before scheduling a vasectomy for their H, in the event that (heaven forbid) something happens to the baby and they may want to try again. I feel like having the tubal immediately after birth doesn't give you a chance to consider something (horrible) like that.

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry your recovery sucks farmvillelover
glitzy07 since this pregnancy was unplanned, even if (God forbid) something terrible were to happen we are still done with kids. I'm hoping that never happens, obviously, but am content in that decision.

[6fsn]

Recovery was no different after the tubal and c/s than it was with the previous 2 C-sections. I was able to successfully breastfeed for a year. My periods returned when my child was 6 months and were HEAVY for a year or so. It's been two years and things have really leveled off.

[pescalita]

I had an RCS with a tubal. My H did have a V too, so while we didn't choose between the two, I can say that the V recovery had a much larger effect on the family, although still short-lived and not bad.

The tubal did not change my recovery in any noticeable way compared to my first c/s. No issues BF or other hormonal issues. Periods have been heavier with each birth and age, no noticeable addition due to the tubal. I asked my OB about this, and she said there's been no scientific evidence that tubals increase period flow, but that she has heard it anecdotally and her suspicion is that it's just correlation with age. And that worst case we can do an ablation if it someday gets bad.

My H had the V 3 months after our second was born, a few days before Christmas. He missed a party the next day in favor of sitting on the couch with frozen peas. He couldn't lift either kid that day, and the toddler not for another 2/3 days - our oldest was just about 2 and still in the crib, high chair, etc. The official post-op recommendations were not to life 10 lbs for a week and 25 lbs for two, but the doc gave him the ok to go with what he felt was ok since he's bigger and stronger than average.

[mudslide]

I had a tubal during my emergency csection. My recovery sucked big time but I have no other cs to compare it to. The nurses said it was because of the tubal but I don't know. I don't regret getting it done at all.

[electricmayhem]

I had a tubal 6 weeks ago with an RCS and so far, no additional complications with recovery (I had a C/S with #1). My recovery with both C/S has been way better than with my VBAC for #2, which was one of the reasons I took the chance with the RCS in the first place. Bfing is going really well, probably the best of the three at this point. I had read that my period may be more severe when returning (although my doctor did not confirm this), so I will take that as it comes.

[jeaniebueller]

Aug 28, 2015 10:50:26 GMT -5 @republicrat said:

I've actually heard that periods are generally heavier post tubal. How long did it take for your period to return? After DS I didn't have a period for almost a year because I was BFing. That was a really nice side benefit!

I think it still relates to whether you nurse or not and the tubal does not effect it. I EFF and my period came back at 12 weeks pp.

[Deleted]

I had a RCS and a tubal. We are absolutely done having kids, so it made sense to do the tubal since I was already in surgery. Recovery time was non-existent, the c/s recovery overshadowed anything that may have been from the tubal, if that makes sense. BFing is a breeze, the tubal had no effect on that. I'm 5 months PP and no period yet. My OB did warn me that post-tubal periods are often heavier. I've been off BCP for almost 5 years, so I know what no-hormone periods are like. I'm not worried. I figure it is what it is KWIM.

[lindsaymg]

I had a first time c section with DD after a vaginal with DS. I had a tubal done during the c section and I have been breastfeeding swimmingly and my recovery time was super short. I haven't had my first PP period though, and may not for a while because of breastfeeding.

[lurknomore]

After three high risk pregnancies, even if we wanted more kids, my body is done. I had a tubal during my third c/s. Recovery no different. In fact I'd say each one got a bit easier. My periods are another story. I've always had light periods, a few days,
Minimal bleeding. Like I could use 6 tampons over the course of an entire period. Now it's like 6 a day. It sucks. I have a bit more cramping and PMS-y crap. But holy hell batman. The bleeding. It sucks. I'm not used to it yet so I'm constantly bleeding through and leaking (I posted two weeks ago that I threw my underware out in the work bathroom one day). It's not incapacitating but it is taking some time to get used to. Period took about a year to come back, maybe a little more (I partially breastfed for 16 mo) which is consistent with my last two babies. I don't think I'd do anything differently had I known. But I had read this could be a side effect and for me it def is.

[niq]

My mother had GD with both kids and then had full on adult onset type 1 diabetes after her tubal. I don't know if there's any causal link in the literature.

[Deleted]

Aug 28, 2015 15:15:40 GMT -5 niq said:

My mother had GD with both kids and then had full on adult onset type 1 diabetes after her tubal. I don't know if there's any causal link in the literature.

GAH I don't wanna hear this. I had GD with both kids and a tubal. I passed my diabetes test at 3 months PP, I don't have another test for a year. I've totally got my head in the sand about Type 1 diabetes. ::fingers in ears:: lalala I can't heeeear you.

[cep1976]

Aug 28, 2015 15:15:40 GMT -5 niq said:

My mother had GD with both kids and then had full on adult onset type 1 diabetes after her tubal. I don't know if there's any causal link in the literature.

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, and most typically presents in children and people in their 20s. There is a relationship between GD and type 2 diabetes; people with GD are far more likely to develop type 2. I've never heard of any link between type 1 and a tubal or any surgery.

OP, I had a tubal with my 2nd RCS, after considering a VBAC. My recovery was far better than my first CS (likely because I didn't spend 30+ hours in labor and 5 hours pushing beforehand), breastfeeding was no problem, and my period is a bit different, but not hugely so, afterwards.