A 29-year-old woman delivering her third child by uncomplicated vaginal birth requests permanent sterilization during the same hospital stay. If she misses the immediate opportunity, what is the earliest interval sterilization should be performed after delivery?
- A At 6 weeks or later, once the uterus has involuted ✓
- B Any time before 6 weeks postpartum
- C Only after 3 months, to allow full lactation establishment
- D Only after completion of the first postpartum menstrual period
Correct answer: A. At 6 weeks or later, once the uterus has involuted
Explanation
Postpartum tubal ligation is ideally done within the first 7 days after delivery, when the uterine fundus is still accessible below the umbilicus via a subumbilical mini-laparotomy. If this window passes, surgery should wait until about 6 weeks, when involution is complete and infection risk falls. Operating in the intervening weeks is avoided because the enlarged uterus complicates access and raises morbidity. Waiting for lactation or menses offers no surgical advantage.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 25th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.