Time interval: at least 6 hours following delivery.
HCT: postpartum HCT on chart.
Immediate postpartum tubal ligation:
Time interval: surgery started within 60 minutes following end of third stage of labor.
Anesthesia: The patient must have a well-functioning epidural in place for labor and delivery. A "new" anesthetic will not be initiated for immediate postpartum tubal ligation.
No evidence of uterine atony or excessive postpartum bleeding.
In addition, the following apply to
all postpartum tubal ligations:
Availability of anesthesia attending to staff case.
Availability of sufficient obstetric and nursing staff.
No immediate need for labor analgesia service by other patients.
The patient should not be receiving Mg therapy.
Surgery to be performed in DR 1 or DR 2.
No support person with patient during surgery.
The patient should have no other important medical condition (asthma, severe pre-eclampsia, heart disease, etc.).