Postpartum Tubal Ligation

A postpartum tubal ligation is done to permanently prevent a woman from getting pregnant. During this procedure, the doctor makes a cut (incision) near the belly button (navel) rather than in the pubic area. This is because the uterus is enlarged from the pregnancy, and the fallopian tubes are located higher in the abdomen. The dotted line on the figure shows where the cut is made below the belly button. The dotted lines on the fallopian tubes show where they are closed.