Webinar: Permanent Birth Control: Exploring Tubal Ligations and Sterilization Options
Registered Nurses in the Welcome Baby program visit new moms and new dads and their newborns shortly after families return from the hospital. These nurses are in a unique position to not only support new parents during a critical transition, but also to guide them in making informed decisions about their reproductive health. This includes answering questions about permanent or long-lasting birth control options.
In a webinar — hosted by LA Best Babies Network on April 22, 2025, for Welcome Baby Registered Nurses and other staff of our network’s home visiting organizations and Welcome Baby hospitals — Dr. Penelope Velasco, MD, OB/GYN, discusses:
- Counseling strategies to help clients make the best decision
- Methods available for males and females
- Complications, risks and failure rates
- Alternative options: long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC)
- Types of hysterectomies, the risks and benefits
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are highly effective methods of birth control that can prevent pregnancy for several years, but can be removed at any time if a person wishes to become pregnant. Below are common LARC options:
- Intrauterine Devices
- Hormonal (Levonorgestrel)
- Mirena — used for 8 years
- Kyleena — used for 5 years
- Liletta — used for 8 years
- Skyla — used for 3 years
- Non-hormonal
- Paragard — used for 10 years (copper)
- Hormonal (Levonorgestrel)
- Implant
- Nexplanon — used for 3 years (etonogestrel implant)
Permanent Birth Control Options
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that stops sperm from leaving the body, providing permanent birth control that is usually intended to be permanent. Sometimes it’s possible to reverse a vasectomy, but there are no guarantees.
Dr. Velasco also discussed sterilization, Bilateral Tubal Ligation (BTL), which is a surgical procedure that permanently prevents pregnancy by blocking the fallopian tubes, preventing eggs from traveling to the uterus. It is also known as “getting your tubes tied.” The fallopian tubes can be blocked several ways during tubal ligation surgery.
Another permanent birth control option is a bilateral salpingectomy, a surgical procedure where both fallopian tubes are removed. It may also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
It’s important that clients have open conversations with their OB/GYN or urologist to ask questions and fully understand their options, so they can make informed decisions that align with their future plans.
Watch the webinar recording here, and don’t miss the links to related resources below:
About the presenter:
Dr. Penelope Velasco is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with over 22 years of experience serving underserved communities in the Los Angeles area. Born in Mexico City and raised in the United States since the age of 12, Dr. Velasco attended Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, and completed her residency at King Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. She spent 10 years in private practice, followed by 11 years at Eisner Health, a federally qualified health center, where she was deeply committed to community care. As of January 2025, Dr. Velasco has returned to private practice with the AllSafe Medical Group in California.
Related Resources:
- Presentation slides for this webinar
- Tubal Ligation (Cleveland Clinic)
- LARC (Long-Acting Reversible Contraception) Overview (Cleveland Clinic)
- Male Vasectomy Procedure (Planned Parenthood)
- Salpingectomy Overview (Cleveland Clinic)
- Counseling Issues in Tubal Sterilization (American Academy of Family Physicians)