FEMALE STERILISATION WITH TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

You can have a sterilisation by laparoscopy or by a mini-laparotomy procedure at the same time as your termination if your pregnancy is less than 14 weeks. If you have had previous abdominal surgery laparoscopy may be more difficult. You may wish to consider having either procedure at the same time as a termination if you have decided your family is complete or if you are on a waiting list elsewhere for sterilisation. Sterilisation should be considered as irreversible. Please note: There is evidence from published data that a sterilisation performed at the time of termination has a greater risk of failure than if the sterilisation is performed at a later date.

LAPAROSCOPY

Two small incisions are made in the abdomen, one just below the umbilicus (tummy button) and the other lower down either on the right or the left. Through these incisions small plastic rings or clips are applied to each fallopian tube, thus blocking them. The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures. Patients may be discharged home the same evening or stay overnight without extra charge.

MINI LAPAROTOMY

One slightly larger incision is made in the abdomen just above the pubic hair line. Through this incision clips, rings, or thread and catgut are applied to each fallopian tube, thus blocking them. The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures. Patients may be discharged the same evening following surgery or may stay overnight without extra charge.

Availability of either sterilisation procedure is subject to the patient fulfilling the medical requirements.