I had a tubal ligation 24 hours after the vaginal unmedicated birth of my last child. I am afraid that I was unprepared for the pain and recovery period that followed surgery. As I told my doc at the 3 week followup-it felt as though all of my insides had been pulled slowly through the 1 inch incision and then systematically stuffed back in. I needed pain pills to fall asleep or for any activity for a few weeks afterwards. I certainly hope that this is an atypical experience. I cannot say that it undermined my parenting or breastfeeding, but it was no picnic. tracy throckmorton rn ibcle