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