Seen At 11: Permanent Contraception

NEW YORK (CBS) ― For decades women have been looking for less invasive options to permanently prevent pregnancy. Now, there's a new type of contraception that can be done in minutes under local anesthesia.

Amanda Belena had a tough time delivering her two girls.

"Two previous abdominal surgeries that were major and then on top of that, each of my children were c-sections, so that created further scar tissue," the 35-year-old said.

Her doctor told her she should not have more children. So Amanda looked for a permanent solution.

"Knowing that I can't get pregnant no matter what happens was the most important factor," Belena said.

Instead of having surgery for tubal ligation, also known as having your tubes tied, she chose the newly Food & Drug Administration-approved procedure called the Adiana system.

There are no incisions or cuts. It requires only local anesthesia and it's done in minutes.

An instrument delivers low level radiofrequency energy to each fallopian tube. A tiny insert, about the size of a grain of rice, is then placed in each tube.

"We place this little spongy material inside. We kind of drop it there. Then the body forms scar tissue around the spongy material and just seals everything shut," said Dr. Jacques Moritz of Roosevelt Hospital.

Although the procedure is quick and easy, the decision to have it may not be. It cannot be reversed and is considered permanent sterilization.

"Sterilization is sterilization. It's not part-time sterilization," Dr. Moritz said.

Although the procedure has been available for about a year there are only a handful of doctors doing it around the country. Belena was glad she had the option.

"In the end, when I thought of my health and being there for my two girls, it was an easy decision," she said.

And with virtually no recovery time she was able to stay on her toes with her girls.

Doctors say another form of contraception is necessary the first three months after the procedure, while tissue grows around the inserts.

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