Is tubal ligation accepted if part of medical procedure?

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It has been recommended to me to have a procedure called uterine ablation due to medical issues. Because this procedure destroys the lining of the uterus, it becomes inhospitable to embryo implantation. I can still get pregnant, but would probably miscarry. If for some reason there was a small amount of viable uterus, an embryo could implant. But because the placenta would implant abnormally, the baby and myself would be at high risk due to bleeding with the placenta dysfunction. Due to the risks to myself and baby, it has also been recommended to have a tubal ligation. I am 43 years old and have 5 children. I have practiced NFP since my conversion some years ago. I know it is immoral to have a sterilization procedure for birth control. Is it the same as part of this procedure? If I were to have a hysterectomy, I would think there would be no morality issue. However, the hysterectomy carries higher risks, recovery time, etc. which would be very difficult with 5 children. I would greatly appreciate some spiritual direction.
 
cathconvert7 said:
It has been recommended to me to have a procedure called uterine ablation due to medical issues. Because this procedure destroys the lining of the uterus, it becomes inhospitable to embryo implantation. I can still get pregnant, but would probably miscarry. If for some reason there was a small amount of viable uterus, an embryo could implant. But because the placenta would implant abnormally, the baby and myself would be at high risk due to bleeding with the placenta dysfunction. Due to the risks to myself and baby, it has also been recommended to have a tubal ligation. I am 43 years old and have 5 children. I have practiced NFP since my conversion some years ago. I know it is immoral to have a sterilization procedure for birth control. Is it the same as part of this procedure? If I were to have a hysterectomy, I would think there would be no morality issue. However, the hysterectomy carries higher risks, recovery time, etc. which would be very difficult with 5 children. I would greatly appreciate some spiritual direction.
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A tubal ligation is always sterilization (i.e contraception) and is always immoral.
 
The recovery time for a hysterectomy is not nearly as long these days as it used to be, just FYI.

I would suggest that you talk to a priest – your medical condition is a factor here and you might do better with in-person advice rather than from a message board. Just my opinion.

Good luck with your decision and your health.
 
From the sounds of it, you’re not being ‘sterilised’ because you want to prevent having children, but as a side effect of treatment for your other medical needs. For that reason there’s no moral objection to the treatment. You are, in any case, of an age where it’s normal for the ability to conceive to wain.

I don’t know how urgent the situation is, but is there mileage in waiting until the menopause arrives in order to ‘bypass’ the issues with potential miscarriages, or would that increase your medical problems or become a danger to your life?
 
DexUK said:
From the sounds of it, you’re not being ‘sterilised’ because you want to prevent having children, but as a side effect of treatment for your other medical needs. For that reason there’s no moral objection to the treatment. You are, in any case, of an age where it’s normal for the ability to conceive to wain.
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This is not accurate.

There is no medical purpose for a tubal ligation other than to prevent pregnancy. This is direct sterilization and is always immoral.
 
1ke is correct. Tubals are always recommended with this procedure (uterine ablation), because becoming pregnant after undergoing the procedure can cause miscarriages and the aforementioned risks to the mother and baby. The tubal is strictly to prevent what could be a dangerous pregnancy, that’s direct sterilization for contraceptive purposes, unlike the sterilization that would result from a hysterectomy, which is secondary and unintended.

In Christ,

Ellen
 
This is something you really need to talk to a priest with in person. It is impossible to convey enough specific medical information to get an accurate answer over the internet.
 
It is allowed to terminate a tubal pregancy, so I don’t see the difference really.
 
I appreciate the information and (name removed by moderator)ut.
God bless.
 
I’m not sure that the advice you’re getting is correct. I had a hysterectomy, and the doctor left my ovaries and tubes in. Since my tubes were connected to my uterus, wouldn’t the doctor have had to tie them off so they wouldn’t bleed or something? I really don’t know - maybe a doctor reading this would know.

Isn’t a uterine ablation like a hysterectomy except that you’re leaving the uterus in and fixing it so you can’t use it for childbearing any more, which would fix the medical problem. If part of this procedure is to tie the tubes, how is that morally different than a hysterectomy?

It seems like having this procedure and leaving the tubes open would be a dangerous thing to do. No unborn child would survive, since the inside lining of the uterus would have been permanently removed.

Anyway, I think I read in “Ask an Apologist” once that uterine oblation is okay with the Church as long as it is medically necessary. If tying the tubes is part of the procedure, I can’t imagine that a reputable doctor would leave this step out.

Your question is a very interesting one, and I sure wouldn’t leave my decision to a bunch of conservative people on the Internet.
 
cathconvert7 said:
It has been recommended to me to have a procedure called uterine ablation due to medical issues. Because this procedure destroys the lining of the uterus, it becomes inhospitable to embryo implantation. I can still get pregnant, but would probably miscarry. If for some reason there was a small amount of viable uterus, an embryo could implant. But because the placenta would implant abnormally, the baby and myself would be at high risk due to bleeding with the placenta dysfunction. Due to the risks to myself and baby, it has also been recommended to have a tubal ligation. I am 43 years old and have 5 children. I have practiced NFP since my conversion some years ago. I know it is immoral to have a sterilization procedure for birth control. Is it the same as part of this procedure? If I were to have a hysterectomy, I would think there would be no morality issue. However, the hysterectomy carries higher risks, recovery time, etc. which would be very difficult with 5 children. I would greatly appreciate some spiritual direction.
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Call up your diocese and ask to speak to a moral theologian on the topic. Or contact the NCBC. ncbcenter.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=183

My opinion at this time is that you shouldn’t have the tubal but practice whatever form of nfp works best post the procedure.
 
Big_Dummy said:
It is allowed to terminate a tubal pregancy,
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This is not accurate.

“Terminating” a tubal pregnancy is an abortion and is always immoral. For example, it is immoral to take a drug that will abort the baby.

Removing a damaged fallopian tube is a legitimate medical procedure. The embryo inside is not directly attacked, nor is its death willed or desired. Such a procedure legitimately treats the medical condition of the tube, the embryo dies as a result. It is indirect and unintended. And, if the embryo could be saved-- i.e. implanted in the uterus-- that would a necessary thing to do. Too bad medical science has not advanced far enough to save both patients.
Big_Dummy said:
so I don’t see the difference really.
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There is a very large difference.

Stealing and working are both means of obtaining money, yet they are vastly different morally.

Treating or removing a diseased organ that has the secondary, unintended effect of making the woman sterile and removing/mutliating a healthy one for the purpose of sterilization are different morally.
 
Listener said:
I’m not sure that the advice you’re getting is correct. I had a hysterectomy, and the doctor left my ovaries and tubes in. Since my tubes were connected to my uterus, wouldn’t the doctor have had to tie them off so they wouldn’t bleed or something? I really don’t know - maybe a doctor reading this would know.
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The woman is not having a hysterectomy, she is having a uterine ablation.

If you had a hysterectomy, leaving your ovaries and fallopian tubes intact, no your doctor would not have performed a tubal ligation.
Listener said:
Isn’t a uterine ablation like a hysterectomy except that you’re leaving the uterus in and fixing it so you can’t use it for childbearing any more, which would fix the medical problem. If part of this procedure is to tie the tubes, how is that morally different than a hysterectomy?
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A tubal ligation is not part of a uterine ablation. A endometrial ablation destroys the lining of the uterus. This procedure is available for some conditions instead of a hysterectomy, but not all conditions.

The ablation treats the uterus, not the tubes. A hysterectomy treats the uterine condition (partial hysterectomy). There is nothing wrong with the tubes or ovaries.

The tubal ligation has no other purpose than to sterilize the woman. It is immoral.
Listener said:
It seems like having this procedure and leaving the tubes open would be a dangerous thing to do. No unborn child would survive, since the inside lining of the uterus would have been permanently removed.
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If a woman did become pregnant, any failure to implant would be a consequence of the condition of the uterus, not a directly willed act. Direct sterilization is always immoral. The couple can use natural family planning to avoid pregnancy.
Listener said:
Anyway, I think I read in “Ask an Apologist” once that uterine oblation is okay with the Church as long as it is medically necessary. If tying the tubes is part of the procedure, I can’t imagine that a reputable doctor would leave this step out.
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Yes, uterine ablation is fine. Tieing the tubes is not. Tubal ligation is NOT a ‘part’ of the procedure. It is a different procedure entirely.
Listener said:
Your question is a very interesting one, and I sure wouldn’t leave my decision to a bunch of conservative people on the Internet.
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The OP asked for the Catholic teaching on this. This is a Catholic website. “Conservative” has nothing to do with anything. The Church’s teaching is quite clear.
 
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