Learning About Bilateral Salpingectomy During a C-Section

A bilateral salpingectomy is a type of surgery to remove your fallopian tubes. It may also be called a total salpingectomy.

The fallopian tubes are part of the female reproductive system. They allow an egg to travel from your ovaries to your uterus. Without fallopian tubes, you can't get pregnant.

You may choose to have a bilateral salpingectomy during a cesarean section (C-section) to:

• Prevent pregnancy. This surgery cannot be reversed. Only choose it if you’re sure you don’t want to have any more biological children.
• Lower your risk for some types of cancer. Many ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes. If you have a higher risk of getting ovarian cancer, your doctor might recommend that you consider this option. You may have a higher risk because of your genetics, your personal health, or your family health history.

If you have a planned C-section and decide to add this surgery, doctors will do it right after they deliver your baby. It usually takes only a few extra minutes. Doctors will use the same cut (incision) in your belly that they made to deliver your baby. The lower half of your body will already be numb from the numbing medicine (anesthesia) that you got for your C-section. You won’t feel any pain.

Doctors will find the fallopian tubes on both sides of your uterus. They’ll use surgical tools to remove the tubes. They will close off the small blood vessels at the ends.

Having a salpingectomy doesn’t affect your C-section recovery time. You’ll stay in the hospital for a few days until you and your baby are ready to go home. It usually takes about 6 weeks for your body to recover from a C-section. Sometimes it takes longer.

It’s important to know that having this surgery doesn’t cause early menopause. You still have ovaries and will continue to have periods. But you won’t be able to get pregnant.

This surgery prevents pregnancy right away. You won’t need to use any other forms of birth control. Keep in mind that it doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Those include HIV, syphilis, and chlamydia.

There are some risks that come with having a C-section. Usually those risks don’t increase if you’re adding a salpingectomy. They include:

• Bleeding.
• Infections.
• Problems from the anesthesia.

There is also a small risk of damage to the surrounding organs or tissues when the fallopian tubes are removed.

Sometimes people regret having this surgery afterward, especially if it was done to prevent pregnancy. Before you make a decision, talk with your doctor and make sure that you understand all of your options.