Tubal sterilization during cesarean section at a training hospital in Turkey: A clinical and demographic analysis

The total fertility rate is 2.1 children per women in Turkey. The population is expected to increase to 84 million by 2023. Maternal (19/100,000 live births), infant, and child mortality rates (20/100,000 live births) are still higher than desired levels in Turkey. We investigated factors affecting the choice of tubal sterilization (TS) after cesarean sections (CSs) and determined intraoperative and short-term postoperative maternal effects of this procedure.

We compared 1,849 CSs for demographic characteristics and clinical parameters including obstetric outcomes between two patient groups who underwent CSs with or without TS. Intraoperative and short-term postoperative maternal effects of TS in these patients were also evaluated.

Twenty-one percent of women underwent both CSs and TS. A significantly higher ratio of TS was found in women with low education levels who had obstetric risk/systemic disease in their present pregnancy. Apart from a hemoglobin deficit and slightly higher duration of hospital stay, TS did not influence postoperative wound infection or heavy bleeding pattern that requires reoperation.

These findings conclude that in developing countries TS can safely be applicable as a contraceptive method without additional cost at time of CSs and should be considered as an option for those women who desire or would benefit from it.