Blood Tests To Determine Pregnancy
Another way to take a pregnancy test is by having your blood tested for human chorionic gonadotropin , which is a hormone that is produced by the body during pregnancy. This test is called a beta-hCG test or quantitative hCG blood test. An hCG blood test for pregnancy is more common if you have not had a period and dont know when your last period was, or if you have been using hormonal birth control.
The Possibility Of Pregnancy
Its possible to get pregnant following treatment for blocked fallopian tubes. Your chances for pregnancy will depend on the treatment method and severity of the block.
A successful pregnancy is more likely when the blockage is near the uterus. Success rates are lower if the blockage is at the end of the fallopian tube near the ovary.
The chance of getting pregnant after surgery for tubes damaged by an infection or ectopic pregnancy is small. It depends on how much of the tube must be removed and what part is removed.
Talk to your doctor before treatment to understand your chances for a successful pregnancy.
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Ectopic Pregnancy Signs And Symptoms
Most of the time, an ectopic pregnancy happens within the first few weeks of pregnancy. You might not even know that youre pregnant and may not notice any problems.
Early signs of an ectopic pregnancy include:
An ectopic pregnancy can cause your fallopian tube to burst or rupture. Emergency symptoms include major pain, with or without severe bleeding. Call your doctor right away if you have heavy vaginal bleeding with lightheadedness, fainting, or shoulder pain, or if you have severe belly pain, especially on one side.
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Can An Ectopic Pregnancy Be Prevented Or Avoided
You cant prevent an ectopic pregnancy, but you can try to control your risk factors. Dont smoke. If you do smoke, plan on quitting before you get pregnant. Before getting pregnant, use a condom when having sex. This can help prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can cause PID.
If youre at higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy, talk to your doctor. He or she may take extra steps to detect an ectopic pregnancy early. This could include checking your hormone levels or scheduling an early sonogram.
Trying For Another Baby
You may want to try for another baby when you and your partner feel physically and emotionally ready.
You’ll probably be advised to wait until you’ve had at least 2 periods after treatment before trying again to allow yourself to recover.
If you were treated with methotrexate, it’s usually recommended that you wait at least 3 months because the medicine could harm your baby if you become pregnant during this time.
Most women who have had an ectopic pregnancy will be able to get pregnant again, even if they’ve had a fallopian tube removed. Occasionally, it may be necessary to use fertility treatment such as IVF.
The chances of having another ectopic pregnancy are higher if you’ve had one before, but the risk is still small.
If you do become pregnant again, it’s a good idea to let your GP know as soon as possible so early scans can be carried out to check everything is OK.
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What To Do If You Are Pregnant And Discriminated Against In The Workplace
Discrimination still exists though laws are in place to protect pregnant workers.
If you feel discriminated against before your maternity leave or after it and/or are immediately let go, you can take action.
If you find out that you are working in a company that isn’t a family-friendly workplace, the next step is to have a conversation with your manager, Adesiyan said. And if your manager is the person discriminating towards you, then you need to go to HR and be very clear.
Drill down to the substance of the core of the matter. Removing all the sentiments, what is impacting the job and what is impacting you as an employee? Have that conversation with HR and say, This is what I’m experiencing because of X, Y, and Z, then HR can take that up. And if HR doesn’t take that up and you feel like you are working in a very hostile environment, then you need to leave.
Your pregnancy rights depend on where you live and your rights under the law or an employers policy, Shabo said, so look into everything if you are discriminated against.
There’s no reason for anyone to work with a company that has no culture of care, Adesiyan added. We’re seeing the Great Resignation, we’re seeing the Great Attrition. Companies need to realize and they need to understand that in order to keep your best employees, you need to have a culture that is friendly towards caregivers. Caregivers are 73% of the workforce.
What Causes The Blockage Of The Fallopian Tubes
The most common cause of blocked fallopian tubes is a pelvic inflammatory disease .
PID is the result of a sexually transmitted disease , but not all pelvic infections are related to STDs.
However, although the pelvic inflammatory disease is no longer present, a history of PID, or pelvic inflammation, increases the risk of a blockage in the fallopian tubes.
Other potential causes of blocked fallopian tubes include:
- Suffer or have a history of a sexually transmitted disease, specifically chlamydia or gonorrhea.
- History of uterine infections caused by miscarriage or miscarriage
- Appendix Rupture History
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What Can Cause An Ectopic Pregnancy
In many cases, it’s not clear why a woman has an ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes it happens when there’s a problem with the fallopian tubes, such as them being narrow or blocked.
The following are all associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy:
- pelvic inflammatory disease inflammation of the female reproductive system, usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection
- previous ectopic pregnancy the risk of having another ectopic pregnancy is around 10%
- previous surgery on your fallopian tubes such as an unsuccessful female sterilisation procedure
- fertility treatment, such as IVF taking medicine to stimulate ovulation can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy
- becoming pregnant while using anintrauterine device orintrauterine system for contraception it’s rare to get pregnant while using these, but if you do you’re more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy
- increasing age the risk is highest for pregnant women aged over 35
You can’t always prevent an ectopic pregnancy, but you can reduce your risk by using a condom when not trying for a baby to protect yourself against STIs, and by stopping smoking if you smoke.
Page last reviewed: 23 August 2022 Next review due: 23 August 2025
Can You Get Pregnant With Your Tubes Tied
Tubal ligation is one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy, with rates of pregnancy around 1/1,000 after the first year, and between 2-10/1,000 after five years. Although the possibility of becoming pregnant is low, the chance is still there. Unfortunately, after the procedure, the risk of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy increases if a pregnancy were to occur.If you have had tubal ligation surgery in the past and believe that you are currently experiencing pregnancy symptoms, talk to your health care provider. Although the probability of getting pregnant is very low, it is still possible.
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How An Ectopic Pregnancy Is Treated
There are 3 main treatments for an ectopic pregnancy:
- expectant management you’re carefully monitored and 1 of the treatments below is used if the fertilised egg doesn’t dissolve by itself
- medicine an injection of a powerful medicine called methotrexate is used to stop the pregnancy growing
- surgery keyhole surgery is performed under general anaesthetic to remove the fertilised egg, usually along with the affected fallopian tube
You’ll be told about the benefits and risks of each option. In many cases, a particular treatment will be recommended based on your symptoms and the results of the tests you have.
Some treatments may reduce your chances of being able to conceive naturally in the future, although most women will still be able to get pregnant. Talk to your doctor about this.
Read more about treating an ectopic pregnancy.
Has Anyone Got Pregnant With Blocked Fallopian Tubes
People with one blocked tube can still get pregnant because an egg can still travel through the unaffected tube. However, if both tubes are completely blocked, pregnancy wont be possible without intervention.
Can a woman get pregnant with her tubes cut and burned?
Getting pregnant after you have had your tubes cut, tied and burned is typically not possible naturally. This procedure is conducted in order to prevent pregnancy permanently. Women who have this procedure will have their fallopian tubes severed and burned at the end.
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Can I Prevent An Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy cannot be prevented. But you can try to reduce your risk factors by following good lifestyle habits. These can include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, and preventing any sexually transmitted infections . Talk to your healthcare provider about any risk factors you may have before trying to become pregnant.
Take Care Of Your Body
Its also important so you can make good choices for your body to support your pregnancy and give your baby a healthy start in life. If you discover you are pregnant, you should follow the guidelines below.
Start prenatal vitamins
Prenatal vitamins include an extra amount of folic acid, which is important for the development of your babys brain and nervous system. Ask your doctor what type of prenatal vitamins they recommend.
Avoid alcohol and certain medications
Avoid alcohol and certain medications if you are pregnant. Alcohol significantly affects fetal brain development. Some medications can also cause birth defects. Read more about medications in pregnancy.
Avoid smoking and drugs
Avoid recreational drugs, smoking, vaping, and marijuana when pregnant. These can also cause developmental issues and birth defects in babies. Smoking harms lung development and restricts blood flow to the placenta.
Eat right and exercise
When you let your provider know youre pregnant, you will get helpful information about a healthy diet and exercise during pregnancy. Youll receive a list of foods, activities, and environmental exposures to avoid. Youll receive information about avoiding work-related exposures, too . Your provider will see if you are up-to-date on vaccinations or if there are any other recommended vaccinations you should receive.
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Can You Get Pregnant With A Damaged Tube
If the tubes are badly damaged or remain blocked even after surgery, a woman may be able to get pregnant through in vitro fertilization . In IVF treatment, eggs and sperm are collected and joined outside the body in a laboratory.
Do your tubes grow back?
The tubes grow back together or a new passage forms that allows an egg to be fertilized by sperm. Your doctor can discuss which method of ligation is more effective for preventing tubes from growing back together.
After An Ectopic Pregnancy
It might be hard for you to have a typical pregnancy afterward. Consider talking to a fertility specialist, especially if you had a fallopian tube removed.
And talk to your doctor about how long to wait before trying again. Some experts suggest giving yourself at least 3 months so your body has time to heal.
An ectopic pregnancy raises your risk of having another one. If you think youâre having another pregnancy, be mindful of the changes in your body. Check with your doctor, and they can confirm it and take the necessary steps.
An ectopic pregnancy can take a toll on your mental health, too. Donât hesitate to reach out to mental health experts like a licensed counselor or therapist.
Thereâs no way to prevent an ectopic pregnancy. But you can lower your odds with certain lifestyle choices.
You can:
- Use a condom when you have sex. This can lower your risk for PID and other sexually transmitted infections
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Check If Your Period Is Late
- Did your last period start more than four weeks ago?
- How far apart are your periods usually? .
Tip: Even if your cycle is inconsistent or longer than 32 days from one period to the next, if you are more than one week past your expected period, and you have been sexually active, there is a chance you could be pregnant.
Symptoms Of An Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy doesn’t always cause symptoms and may only be detected during a routine pregnancy scan.
If you do have symptoms, they tend to develop between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy.
Symptoms can include a combination of:
- a missed period and other signs of pregnancy
- tummy pain low down on one side
- vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge
- pain in the tip of your shoulder
- discomfort when peeing or pooing
But these symptoms aren’t necessarily a sign of a serious problem. They can sometimes be caused by other problems, such as a stomach bug.
Read more about the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.
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Where Does An Ectopic Pregnancy Happen
Its considered an ectopic pregnancy whenever the fertilized egg implants outside of your uterus. The egg is meant to travel down the fallopian tubes and imbed itself into the wall of your uterus, where it can begin to develop. In an ectopic pregnancy, the egg implants in one of the structures along the way. The most common place this can happen is within the fallopian tubes. The majority of ectopic pregnancies happen herecalled a tubal ectopic pregnancy. A fertilized egg can also implant on other organs in your abdominal cavity. This is a rarer form of ectopic pregnancy than one that happens in a fallopian tube.
How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Treated
If an ectopic pregnancy is detected at an early stage, a medication called methotrexate is sometimes needed to stop the egg developing. The pregnancy tissue is then absorbed into the womans body.
Methotrexate is not always needed, as in around half of cases the egg dies before it can grow larger.
Ectopic pregnancies detected at a more advanced stage will require surgery to remove the pregnancy sac.
If an ectopic pregnancy is left to develop, there is a risk that the fertilised egg could continue to grow and cause the fallopian tube to split open , which can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
Signs of a ruptured fallopian tube are:
- sudden, severe, sharp pain
- shoulder tip pain
A ruptured fallopian tube is a medical emergency. If you think that you or someone in your care has experienced this complication, call 000 and ask for an ambulance.
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Can My Pregnancy Continue After An Ectopic Pregnancy
Unfortunately, an ectopic pregnancy is fatal for the fetus. It cannot survive outside of the uterus. Quick treatment for an ectopic pregnancy is important to protect the mothers life. If the egg has implanted in the fallopian tube and the tube bursts, there can be severe internal bleeding. This can lead to maternal death.
What Else Should I Know
Any woman can have an ectopic pregnancy. But the risk is higher for women who are older than 35 and those who have had:
- surgery on a fallopian tube
- infertility problems or medicine to stimulate ovulation
Some birth control methods also can affect a woman’s risk of ectopic pregnancy. Those who become pregnant while using an intrauterine device might be more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. Smoking and having multiple sexual partners also increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
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Comparing Your Options: Things To Consider When Deciding Between Ivf And Tubal Ligation Reversal
The decision to have a tubal ligation reversal or proceed with IVF can be complex, factors in many individualized medical and personal considerations, and should always be made with a doctor. While it will often remain a completely personal decision, there are many factors that point a patient in one direction or the other, including:
Theres Not Just Tying Going On
According to Websters Dictionary, the term ligation means the surgical process of tying up an anatomical channel. This term should no longer be used when referring to the procedure that many women have done that promises to tie up her tubes and permanently prevent future pregnancies.
There are many different methods that your doctor may use to complete this procedure that do not involve tying of any kind. For example, your doctor may use clamps to shut off the fallopian tubes or he/she may use a method called bipolar coagulation. If this particular method is chosen, your doctor will use an electrical current to burn and damage several areas of your tubes! Your doctor may also remove a section of your tubes and tuck what is leftover back into the surface of the uterus. The most common method used in a tubal ligation is the Pomeroy Method. This particular method does involve a small amount of tying. Your doctor will take a section/loop of your fallopian tube, tie it off with a suture, and then cut off the remaining tube above the tie. Some women even opt to have the remaining tube burned for good measure.
It is safe to say that you better be 100% positive that you are done having children because these methods of sterilization sound pretty intense!
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