Tubal ligation (or "tying the tubes") is surgery to close a woman's fallopian tubes. These tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. A woman who has this surgery can no longer get pregnant (sterile).

Tubal ligation is done in a hospital or outpatient clinic. You may receive general anesthesia. This will make you unconscious and unable to feel pain. Or, you may have local anesthesia (awake and unable to feel pain) or spinal anesthesia (awake but unable feel pain). The procedure takes about 30 minutes.

• Your surgeon will make 1 or 2 small incisions (cuts) in your belly, usually around the belly button. Gas may be pumped into your belly to expand it. This helps your surgeon see your uterus and fallopian tubes.
• Your surgeon will insert a laparoscope, a narrow tube with a tiny camera on the end into your pelvic area. Instruments to tie your tubes will be sent through the laparoscope.
• The tubes are either cauterized (burned shut) or clamped off with a small clip, a ring, or rubber bands.

Tubal ligation can also be done right after you have a baby through the vagina or during a cesarean section.

Tubal ligation may be recommended for adult women who know for sure they do not want to get pregnant in the future.

Even though many women choose to have tubal ligation, some are sorry later that they did. The younger the woman is, the more likely it is she will regret having her tubes tied as she gets older.

Tubal ligation is considered a permanent form of birth control. It is NOT recommended as a short-term method or one that can be reversed. Even so, major surgery can sometimes reverse it. About 50 to 80 women out of 100 who have their tubal ligation reversed are able to become pregnant.