Tubal Implants: Before Your Procedure
What are tubal implants?
Tubal implants are a permanent type of birth control. They are small metal springs that are placed in your fallopian tubes. This is done without cutting the skin.
Over time, scar tissue grows around each implant. The scar tissue blocks the tubes. This stops eggs from moving from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes. These are the tubes where the egg is fertilized by a sperm.
The procedure is done in a doctor's office or an outpatient surgery centre. It may be done in a hospital. It takes about 30 minutes. You may be able to go back to your normal routine the same day. But if you have medicine to help you relax, give yourself a day to rest.
How do you prepare for the procedure?
Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.
Preparing for the procedure
- Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
- You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You may get medicine that relaxes you or puts you in a light sleep. The area being worked on will be numb.
- Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your procedure. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
- Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do it.
- Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
What happens on the day of the procedure?
Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your procedure may be cancelled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of the procedure, take them with only a sip of water.
Take a bath or shower before you come in for your procedure. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
Take off all jewellery and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.
At the hospital or surgery centre
Bring a picture ID.
For the procedure, you are positioned as you would be for a pelvic examination. Your doctor will pass a thin tube through your vagina and cervix, into the uterus, and then into a fallopian tube. This tube is called a catheter. It is used to place an implant into a fallopian tube. An implant is then placed in the other fallopian tube the same way.
After the procedure, you may have menstrual-like cramps.
About 3 months after the procedure, an X-ray is taken to make sure the implants are in place and the tubes are closed.
When should you call your doctor?
- You have questions or concerns.
- You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the procedure.
Current as of: August 2, 2022
