A review of women requesting reversal of tubal sterilization.

A the Women's Hospital, Crown Street in the past 4 years 64 women who requested reversal of tubal sterilization have been studied. Some of their characteristics at the time of sterilization and the reasons for their request for reversal are examined. It would appear that relatively young women of low parity whose reasons for sterilization are primarily socioeconomic in association with an unstable martial state are those most likely to request reversal. Furthermore, postpartum sterilization in such women is more likely to lead to requests for reversal than interval sterilization. The overwhelming reason for requesting reversal is the establishment of a new marital relationship. However, there is a small group whose reason is the death of the antecedent child, usually a cot death, under the age of 6 months.