Factors predictive for failure to perform postpartum tubal ligations following vaginal delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To identify patients requesting postpartum sterilization and compare those who underwent the procedure with those who did not.


METHODS
A retrospective study of requested postpartum tubal ligations was completed. Demographics and clinical characteristics were analyzed. We analyzed whether the failure to obtain postpartum sterilization resulted in an interval laparoscopic tubal ligation or future pregnancy.


RESULTS
A total of 135 women requested sterilization, but only 56% received the desired procedure. Time of delivery (OR 2.23, CI 1.08-4.58), body mass index (OR 2.38, CI 1.10-5.16) and gravidity (OR 0.80, CI 0.65-0.97) were significant variables that were different between the 2 groups. Of the women who left the hospital postpartum without a sterilization procedure, 44% received an interval laparoscopic tubal ligation and 18% later became pregnant.


CONCLUSIONS
Postpartum tubal ligations are often not performed despite patient request. Additional measures should be undertaken to ensure that patient requests for postpartum tubal ligation are implemented.
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. joleneseibel@yahoo.com
Jolene
J
Seibel-Seamon
John F
JF
Visintine
Benjamin E
BE
Leiby
Louis
L
Weinstein
D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*