Barriers and Outcomes for Desired Interval Tubal Ligation Six Weeks Following Vaginal Birth

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate completion rates of postpartum and interval bilateral salpingectomies in patients who expressed a desire for permanent contraception procedures during their pregnancy. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study that includes women aged 18 and older who delivered at UofL hospital between January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2022. Primary and secondary outcomes were analyzed including percentage of patients who completed their sterilization procedures within 12 months of discharge from the hospital, percentage of patients who desired immediate postpartum sterilization and did not have this completed prior to discharge from delivery, the percentage of patients who did not receive a sterilization procedure within 12 months and became pregnant, as well as the reason for failure of postpartum sterilization completion prior to discharge from the hospital. Results Of the 344 patients that met inclusion criteria, 170 patients did not have immediate postpartum sterilization and were included in the final analysis. The most common reasons for failure of completion of surgery immediately postpartum included Medicaid form not matured (44%), unknown or not documented (27.1%), patient no longer desiring procedure (13.5%), and BMI (16%). Of these patients, only 21% had their interval tubal completed. 11% of patients were then pregnant again within 24 months Conclusion Only 21% of patients who did not receive immediate postpartum sterilization received an interval bilateral salpingectomy. This data adds to the paucity of data existing regarding interval tubal ligation completion rates and emphasizes the importance of immediate postpartum sterilization completion.