Assure every client that she is welcome to come back any time—for example, if she has problems or questions, or she thinks she might be pregnant. (A few sterilizations fail and the woman becomes pregnant.) Also if:

  • She has bleeding, pain, pus, heat, swelling, or redness of the wound that becomes worse or does not go away.
  • She develops high fever (greater than 38° C/101° F).
  • She experiences fainting, persistent light-headedness, or extreme dizziness in the first 4 weeks and especially in the first week.

General health advice: Anyone who suddenly feels that something is seriously wrong with her health after the female sterilization procedure should immediately seek medical care from a nurse or doctor. After a surgical procedure any health problem must be assessed carefully and considered to be related to the procedure until it is medically demonstrated that it is not.