Is It Possible To Get Pregnant After Tubal Ligation

How Well Does It Work

Is it possible to get pregnant after a tubal ligation?

Tubal ligation is an extremely reliable way to prevent pregnancy. Fewer than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant within a year of surgery. But different things play a role in your chances of getting pregnant later.

One is the surgical method your doctor uses. Your tubes may be:

  • Cut and tied with special thread
  • Closed with bands or clips
  • Cauterized, which means theyâre sealed shut with an electric current
  • Blocked with scar tissue that forms when your doctor inserts small implants

While all work well to prevent pregnancy, not all are equally effective. Methods that cause the most damage to the tubes are most likely to be permanent.

Age also plays a role in the chance that you could get pregnant after the procedure. The younger you are when you have it, the more likely it is to fail at some point.

What Are The Risks Of A Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation is safe, but all surgeries carry some risks. Serious problems occur in less than 1 out of 1,000 women. You will need to sign a consent form that explains the risks and benefits of the surgery and you should discuss these risks and benefits with your surgeon. Some potential risks include:

  • Bleeding from an incision or inside the abdomen

You may have other risks, depending on your specific health condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure.

‘miracle Baby’: Woman Gets Pregnant After Having Fallopian Tubes Removed

Elizabeth Kough had been pregnant before. She knew how it felt. She just couldn’t believe it had happened this time.

Kough was at her house in Kearney last year when she got the positive test result on a home pregnancy kit. It was shocking because three years earlier, she had had both of her fallopian tubes removeda procedure medical professionals assured her would make it all but impossible for her to conceive.

“So I freaked out,” said Kough, 39.

She woke her boyfriend and had him drive her straight to the hospital.

Another test there confirmed she was pregnant, so she insisted on an ultrasound, fearing that an embryo was lodged somewhere in her abdominal cavity.

But the scan showed the tiny fetus nestled safely in Kough’s uterus. She gave birth at North Kansas City Hospital in March to a healthy 7-pound, 6-ounce baby boy named Benjaminpart of a journey she never expected but says she definitely wouldn’t change.

“Of course at first I was shocked and I was like, ‘this isn’t in my plan,’ ” Kough said. “I’m a planner. But now, you know, sometimes the best laid plans, you need to just do away with those. He is a beautiful baby. I am exceptionally lucky to have him in my life.”

Based on the scientific literature, “lucky” barely begins to describe it.

The first case documented in English-language medical journals was published in 2005, after a 38-year-old woman who had her tubes removed showed up pregnant at an emergency room in the United Kingdom.

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You Can Get Pregnant After Tubal Ligation

First, you must understand what a tubal ligation is. This surgical procedure is performed to cut, tie, clamp or band the fallopian tubes shut. As a result, it is impossible for the eggs in your ovaries to reach your uterus, where fertilization typically occurs.

A tubal ligation is a form of permanent birth control, so women becoming pregnant after the procedure is highly uncommon.

A surgeon performs the surgery by banding, tying, cutting, and sealing the fallopian tubes so male sperms dont make their way to the eggs. However, in some cases, the fallopian tubes can grow back together.

The age of a woman plays a vital role in deciding the efficiency of the procedure. Younger women are at a higher risk of conceiving after going through tubal ligation. A research study held at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that:

  • Women younger than 28 years of age had a 5% chance of getting pregnant after tubal ligation.
  • Women between the age of 28-33 years had a 2% chance of getting pregnant after tubal ligation.
  • Women older than 35 years of age had a 1% chance of getting pregnant after tubal ligation.

Most women who find out they are pregnant after tubal ligation discover that they conceived before they underwent the procedure. When the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus before the procedure, the tubal ligation is performed smoothly. Therefore, most doctors perform tubal ligation right after a child or when the menstrual period of a woman ends.

Getting Pregnant After Tubal Ligation

Pregnancy After Tubal Ligation 2015

The actual failure rate varies depending on who you ask.

For example, the Mayo Clinic reports that fewer than 1% or 1 in every 100 of people will become pregnant within the first year of getting the procedure.

Whereas The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that the risk is anywhere from 1.8% to 3.7% within 10 years of getting the procedure.

For comparison, about 9% of people taking birth control pills will get pregnant.

Your age matters too. Many physicians say that you’ll have a 1 in 200 chance of pregnancy if you have your tubal ligation performed in your 20’s, and a 1 in 300 chance if you’re in your 30’s. Makes sense though, right? More years of sexual intercourse increases the risks of pregnancy after tubal ligation.

Moreover, there are multiple different types of tubal ligation, which may also affect how well the procedure prevents pregnancy. However, there are no data to suggest which type of procedure is more effective than another, so consult with a doctor about which type is best for you.

If you’ve had a tubal ligation and you miss a period or get a positive result from a pregnancy test, see your doctor right away. Because you’re at a higher risk of a serious medical condition called an ectopic pregnancy, which happens when a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus, instead of inside. If left untreated, it can be fatal.

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Pregnancy Options After Tubal Ligation

A great option to pursue pregnancy following a tubal ligation is through in vitro fertilization in fact, the process is not any more complicated to do with your tubes tied. In natural conception, the egg must travel through the fallopian tube to be fertilized by sperm. With IVF, pregnancy can occur bypassing the fallopian tubes all together. It gives patients a higher chance of pregnancy in the shortest amount of time without having a significant surgical procedure. If you dont want to have another tubal ligation after the pregnancy or deal with another method of birth control long term, it can be a great solution.

Another pressing question about tubal ligation and fertility treatment: does insurance cover IVF after tubal ligation? In most cases, no. Unfortunately, insurance doesnt cover IVF under any circumstance in many states. Its something to investigate with your carrier, but many will not cover IVF after a voluntary tubal ligation.

Could I Conceive After Having A Tubal Ligation

According to experts, less than one woman in every 100 who has had a tubal ligation will conceive later. For most women who have made the decision not to have any more children, these odds are thought to be pretty good.

Some women choose to have their tubal ligation reversed by having a reversal procedure done. The success rate of conceiving after a reversal is around 50 percent. There is also an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy once a tubal ligation reversal is done.

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Can You Get Pregnant If You Had An Ablation

Can you get pregnant after an endometrial ablation? The chances of pregnancy after an endometrial ablation are low, but still possible. However, these procedures come with some significant risks, and women should always discuss the risks and benefits of pregnancy before having an ablation. This procedure destroys the endometrium, or the lining of the uterus. It also increases the risk of pregnancy complications. It is not recommended for women who are trying to conceive, but for those who are already fertile and are planning to have a child.

The procedure delivers energy to the uterine lining. This allows for less bleeding during the menstrual cycle, which reduces iron loss and anemia. The less blood loss means that your body can catch up and make more red blood cells to correct your anemia. In addition, ablation procedures make it easier for you to conceive because you dont need to undergo an excruciatingly painful surgery to get pregnant.

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Ivf After Tubal Ligation San Antonio Tx

Is it possible to get pregnant after a tubal ligation?

Our team of San Antonio, TX fertility doctors have helped countless couples and individuals experience the joys of building a family. This commonly involves in vitro fertilization for female infertility and male infertility. Assisted reproductive technology provides so many options for mothers and fathers, no matter what their current situation may entail. In fact, it can even circumvent certain types of birth control.

Dr. Joseph E. Martin and his team would like to consider how IVF can be used to help women whove undergone tubal ligation become pregnant. This offers an option for women who would like to maintain the birth control benefits of tubal ligation but still wish to have children.

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Will You Notice Signs Of The Fallopian Tubes Growing Back Together

Its unlikely that youll sense your own fallopian tubes growing back together, but this actually happens in very rare cases. The process is called recanalization, which means a new passage in the tubes is created, allowing your egg to meet up with sperm for fertilization.

If you feel anything at all related to a tubal ligation, itll be a few uncomfortable post-op symptoms, including nausea, stomach pain, cramps, dizziness and gassiness or bloating. And while its uncommon to experience major complications after a tubal ligation, a few are possible, such as urinary tract infections and damage to blood vessels.

How Is Tubal Ligation Along With C

During a cesarean section, a health care provider may perform tubal ligation at the same time. During the C-section, an incision is made in the lower abdomen and another in the uterus.

In most cases, this procedure is performed shortly after delivery, but it can also be done later. Before undergoing tubal ligation, the health care provider will go over the potential benefits and risks, including complications, health effects, side effects, and potential reversibility or irreversibility. The health care provider may also explain alternative long-acting reversible contraception such as intrauterine devices or birth control implants.

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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:

Statistics Of Pregnancy After Tubal Ligation

How To Get Pregnant After Tubal

Although tubal ligation is one of the most reliable methods of birth control, there is still a very minor chance of getting pregnant. Tubal ligation can increase the chances of an ectopic pregnancy as the fallopian tubes are tied and sealed. According to Healthline, one out of 200 women has a chance of getting pregnant even after going through tubal ligation. Pregnancy can be risky after tubal ligation because the eggs can get stuck inside the fallopian tubes and start growing. Because it is not the womb, it wont be able to develop and grow and can lead to stillbirth or miscarriage.

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What Happens During A Tubal Ligation

Before the procedure starts you will have an intravenous line started so you can receive fluids and medicines to make you relaxed and sleepy. If you are having general anesthesia, you may get medicine through the IV to put you to sleep. A tube may be inserted in your throat so that you can inhale the anesthesia through your lungs.

If you are having local or spinal anesthesia, you will be given a numbing medicine in your abdomen or in your spinal area. You may remain awake during surgery, but you should not feel any pain. The actual surgery takes about 30 minutes.

Here is what typically happens during the procedure:

  • The surgeon will make one or more small cuts near your belly button. Sometimes the surgeon makes a small incision in your lower abdomen as well.
  • Gas may be pumped into your belly to inflate it. This gives your surgeon a better view and more room to work.
  • The surgeon will put a narrow tube with a light and a camera on the end into your abdomen. This tube is called a laparoscope.
  • Your surgeon will use long, thin instruments put through the laparoscope or through another tiny cut to find and grab hold of the fallopian tubes.
  • The tubes may be cut, tied, clamped, banded, or sealed off with an electric current.
  • After surgery is done, the surgeon will close the incisions in the skin, probably using 1 to 2 stitches. He or she will cover the area with small dressings.
  • How Tubal Ligation Works

    Tubal ligation is a type of surgical birth control that involves cutting, tying, or blocking the fallopian tubes. By doing this, sperm is blocked from reaching an egg that is ready for fertilization. You may have heard of the surgery described as getting your tubes tied.

    Yet after undergoing tubal ligation, some women have second thoughts about the procedure and would like to become pregnant. In these cases, they may now want a child or perhaps they would like another child but underwent tubal ligation after having their previous baby. While tubal ligation reversal surgery is one option for becoming pregnant again, fertility specialists have other options that can be helpful.

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    Getting Pregnant After A Tubal Ligation: With And Without A Reversal

    fertility treatment comparisongetting pregnantIn Vitro Fertilization trying to conceivetubal ligation reversal

    If youre wondering if you can get pregnant after a tubal ligation or how to get pregnant after having a tubal ligation, youve come to the right place. In short, the answer is most often yes, but the how of that is a bit more complex and will take a bit of time. But dont worry, in this article, we are going to cover everything you need to know about how to get pregnant after a tubal ligation both with and without a tubal ligation reversal. Lets start with a quick introduction to the options:

    • Tubal Ligation Reversal A Tubal Ligation Reversal or Tubal Reversal is exactly like it sounds. It is the surgical repair or reversal of a tubal ligation.
    • In Vitro Fertilization In Vitro Fertilization or IVF is the process of removing eggs from a females ovaries and fertilizing said egg with sperm in a petri dish. After developing the embryos inside a laboratory for several days , an embryo is then transferred back into the females uterus to develop for the remainder of gestation.

    Both options can lead to a healthy pregnancy and child, but there are a few things to consider along the way with the guidance of your tubal ligation reversal doctor, often an OBGYN or Reproductive Endocrinologist.

    Need More Information About Reversal

    Non surgical ways to get pregnant after tubal ligation? – Dr. Suhasini Inamdar

    If you want to know if you are a candidate for tubal reversal surgerythen contact our office 977-5050 for more information.

    The best first step is to obtain a copy of your tubal ligation operative note from the hospital where you had your tubes tied. The hospital usually has your records but your doctor may not always keep your record in their office.

    You can then send us your records by following the information on our Contact Us Page.

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    Is It Easy To Get Pregnant After A Tubal Ligation Reversal

    If both partners are healthy and do not have other fertility-related issues, becoming pregnant after a tubal ligation reversal should not be difficult. Statistics show that younger women have a higher rate of success in becoming pregnant with women under the age of 35 having a 70-85% rate of pregnancy success and women over 40 years of age having a 30-40% success rate.

    Ivf And Success Rates

    Another popular option for women trying to get pregnant after a tubal ligation is in vitro fertilization or IVF. IVF is a process by which an egg is fertilized in the lab and then transferred to a womans uterus. This allows for pregnancy to occur by completely bypassing the Fallopian tubes.

    Any woman who has a good ovarian reserve or has previously attempted a tubal reversal unsuccessfully would be a good candidate for IVF treatment. Dr. Bromer adds, Even couples with fertility challenges other than the tubal ligation, such as advanced age or male factor infertility, can be helped by IVF.

    An IVF cycle takes about 2 months to complete. After the evaluation and hormone suppression phase of the cycle, patients are prescribed injectable hormones that stimulate egg maturation. During this 10 to 12-day stimulation period, the patient is seen frequently for ultrasound and bloodwork to monitor the growth of egg containing follicles and the levels of hormones.

    At the end of this period, an egg retrieval procedure is performed. The eggs are fertilized with the partner or a donors sperm and grown to 3- or 5-day embryos. Then, one or more embryos are transferred to the womans uterus. Two weeks later, a blood pregnancy test reveals the results.

    The success rate for achieving pregnancy with IVF frequently exceeds that of a tubal ligation. At SGF, IVF has a 50 to 60 percent success rate for women under 38, even when only one embryo is transferred.

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