Over 50% of all pregnancies that occur in the US are unintended, and unintended pregnancy is detrimental to maternal and child health. Tubal sterilization may be performed immediately following a delivery, or as an interval procedure remote from pregnancy. Many women request sterilization to follow delivery, but it is frequently not completed during the peri-partum hospitalization. Women who are denied an immediate post-partum tubal are generally candidates to complete the procedure as an interval surgery within a few months of delivery, but few do so. Women who request tubal sterilization and do not receive it are at highest risk for a rapid repeat pregnancy, with as many as 46% having an unintended pregnancy within 1 year.
The standard care at many institutions for a patient denied tubal sterilization during hospitalization is to offer a short term contraceptive and instruct the patient to follow up for the standard post-partum outpatient visit in 4-6 weeks. If the patient still desires tubal sterilization at that time, the surgical procedure will be scheduled. No-show rates for post-partum care are high at about 50%-60%, and therefore, many patients are never scheduled for their surgery. If the process of scheduling interval tubal sterilization surgery could be expedited, rates of completion could be improved.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* \>21 years of age (required for sterilization by Medicaid rules)
* Requested sterilization either during antepartum care or at time of delivery
* Did not have sterilization performed on L\&D for any reason
* Confirmed desire for sterilization during post-partum hospitalization (has not changed mind)
* Has commercial or Medicaid insurance that will allow for outpatient surgery (including pregnancy-related emergency Medicaid)
* Consent to phone follow-up calls regarding study in the 6 months following enrollment
Exclusion Criteria:
* \<21 years of age
* Unable to provide informed consent
* Not a candidate for a laparoscopic or hysteroscopic procedure for any medical reason
* Uninsured or undocumented status that would prevent scheduling of an outpatient surgery
* Unable to provide reasonably reliable contact information
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.