What Happens If You Get Pregnant With Your Tubes Tied

What You Need To Know About The Risks Of Getting Pregnant After Tubal Ligation

Tubal Ligation Surgery

Getting your tubes tied is an incredibly effective way to prevent pregnancy, but it isn’t 100% guaranteed. During the procedure known as tubal ligation the fallopian tubes are either cut, tied, or blocked as a form of permanent birth control , according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists .

This prevents an egg from traveling from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes and prevents any sperm from traveling up the fallopian tubes to meet an egg.

While tubal ligation is one of the most effective forms of birth control, it has flaws. There is still a small chance of becoming pregnant after having your tubes tied. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the pregnancy rate is one in 1,000 after the first year and between two and 10 in 1,000 after five years.

“Pregnancies have been reported after surgical sterilization but are rare,” Eleanor Schwarz, MD, a women’s health researcher and professor of medicine at the University of California Davis, Sacramento, told Health. “Most couples do not have to worry about getting pregnant if they have sex after a woman ‘has her tubes tied.'”

Is Tubal Litigation A Good Choice For Me

If you already have children and are completely confident you wont want more, even if you have a change of partner, tubal ligation may be a good choice for you.

It may also be a good choice if youre completely sure youll never want any children at all, under any circumstances.

Tubal ligation is designed to be permanent. If you have the slightest doubt about someday wanting children, it is not the right choice for you.

Getting Pregnant After A Tubal Ligation

Making decisions about your fertility health and well-being can be a stressful and emotional time. Such a personal topic warrants great consideration prior to making any decisions but sometimes, even after research, consultations, and a lot of thought, you may find yourself wanting to reverse a prior decision. Fortunately, modern medicine has made it possible to do so, even after what is often considered a permanent form of birth control.

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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider

A follow-up appointment will be scheduled with your surgeon a week or two following surgery. Youll receive instructions on when to call if you have any problems before that visit. You should call as soon as you have a positive pregnancy test so you can be evaluated for a possible tubal pregnancy. Your provider may schedule an x-ray dye test a few months after your procedure to make sure your fallopian tubes remain open.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Tubal ligation reversal may be an option if youve had a tubal ligation but would now like to try for a baby. Before proceeding with surgery, your healthcare provider will make sure youre a good candidate for the procedure. Depending on factors like your age and the condition of your fallopian tubes, IVF may be a better option. Either way, a tubal ligation doesnt have to mean you cant have a baby. Ask your provider about what course of action is best for you.

What Is The Recovery Time For A Salpingectomy

How Does Your Period Work After Tubal Ligation

Abdominal salpingectomy patients usually require about 3 â 6 weeks of recovery time, while laparoscopic patients will typically heal within 2-4 weeks. Both patients should be able to walk after about three days. Get plenty of rest during your recovery, but make an effort to get regular light exercise as well.

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How Is An Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosed

An ectopic pregnancy is typically diagnosed during an appointment in your healthcare providers office. Your provider will perform several tests to first confirm a pregnancy, and then look for the ectopic pregnancy. These tests include:

  • A urine test: This test involves either urinating on a test strip or urinating into a cup in your providers office and then having a test strip dipped into the urine sample.
  • A blood test: You provider may test your blood to see how much of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin you have in your body. This hormone is produced during pregnancy. You may also hear this called your serum beta-hCG level.
  • An ultrasound exam: An imaging test, an ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of your bodys internal structures. Ultrasound is often used during pregnancy. Your provider will use this test to see where the fertilized egg has implanted.

Once your provider has confirmed the pregnancy and determined where the fertilized egg has implanted, a treatment plan will be created. Ectopic pregnancy is an emergency and treatment for this condition is very important.

If your fallopian tube ruptures, you will need to go to the emergency room and be treated immediately. In those cases, theres no time to wait for an appointment.

Can You Do Ivf Instead Of Tubal Reversal

IVF, the only other alternative to tubal reversal if you have had your tubes tied and do not want a reversal or are not a good candidate for a reversal, also has its pros and cons. IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, involves a woman being given fertility medicines to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs.

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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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Will Tubal Ligation Add Risk To The C

Signs You Are Pregnant With Your Tubes Tied

Tubal ligation does not add risk to a C-section operation or cause complications during C-section recovery. This is because tubal ligation is done once the baby is delivered and not before. Furthermore, the surgeon uses the incision in the abdominal cavity to close up the uterine tubes. No extra incisions are made.

After a C-section, it is normal to experience some pain and discomfort, which subside after a couple of days. Any discomfort after having tubal ligation during a C-section is likely due to the delivery and not the procedure.

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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.

What Is Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation is a form of sterilization and is, most often than not, permanent contraception.

A tubal ligation is a surgical sterilization procedure in which the fallopian tubes are either removed or disrupted . the released egg from the ovary cannot be reached by the sperm traveling up the tube, thereby preventing fertilization and pregnancy from occurring, says Felice Gersh, MD, OB/GYN, the founder/director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine in California, and the author of Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know.

There are various approaches, ranging from minimally invasive to major surgery. It can be performed laparoscopically , with a mini-laparotomy or after delivery of a baby during a cesarean section, says Hiamine Maass, MD, an OB/GYN at VivaEve.

There are also different ways of tying the tubesdifferent techniques to achieve this permanent birth control.

Tyingthis is the common way a tubal ligation is performed postpartumhappens right after a baby is born, says Dr. Gersh. The tube is secured with a suture, creating a tied loop, which is then severed and the cut edges are cauterized. This is a quick and easy procedure after birth, performed by making a tiny incision under the umbilicus and then reaching in and fishing out the tubes. This is easily done at the time of a cesarean section as well.

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How Does A Tubal Ligation Work

For pregnancy to occur, sperm must fertilise a mature egg. During each menstrual cycle a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries, this is called ovulation. The released egg is funnelled into the fallopian tube and towards the uterus. Tubal ligation blocks the fallopian tubes, stopping the egg from moving through the fallopian tube to the uterus. This prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from meeting the egg.

Tubal Ligation Syndrome: Does It Exist

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Some misconceptions related to tubal ligation include a condition referred to as tubal ligation syndrome. However, its existence has not been proven. Its symptoms are believed to include cramps, hormonal imbalances, early menopause, poor health, irregular periods, chronic abdomen and low back pain, and heavier periods.

But there is no clinical evidence that shows that tubal ligation has any kind of health effects or side effects.

Other misconceptions include:

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How Long Should I Wait Before Becoming Pregnant Again After An Ectopic Pregnancy

You should talk to your healthcare provider about future pregnancies after being treated for an ectopic pregnancy. Although pregnancy may happen quickly after treatment, its often best to wait about three months. This allows your fallopian tube time to heal and decreases the risk of another ectopic pregnancy.

Can You Be A Surrogate After Tubal Ligation

Yes! It could actually mean youre a great candidate for surrogacy you have proven fertility and are most likely done building your own family, both of which are important qualities for a gestational carrier. Plus and this is also a critical point its extremely unlikely youll become pregnant on your own before the embryo transfer. Because the egg will be from the intended mother or an egg donor, your ovaries and fallopian tubes will not be involved in the process at all.

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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.

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Tubes Tied Not Really

Can one get pregnant after tied tubes?If positive, what next? – Dr. Sangeeta Gomes

Q. I had my tubes tied many years ago, and since then Ive gained 40 pounds. Ive wondered if gaining that much weight could cause the tubes to become untied. Could that also increase my chances of having an ectopic pregnancy? A.

You have a common misconception. Your tubes are not actually tied together theyre each cut or clipped to prevent an egg from being fertilized. Gaining weight wont cause the knot to come undone.

Doctors have used different methods for tying the tubes, including cutting a short piece out of each one, burning the opening shut and placing clips to close the tubes.

A similar misconception Ive heard of involved a woman who believed she couldnt have a tubal ligation because she had had one of her tubes surgically removed. She mistakenly thought that because she had only one tube there wasnt another one to tie it together with. If you have one tube, you can still have a tubal ligation as a form of permanent sterilization.

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What Happens After A Tubal Ligation

After your surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room to be watched while you recover from the anesthesia. Your IV will be removed once you can drink fluids. You will probably be able to go home in a few hours.

Here is what you can probably expect at home:

  • You will be able to gradually resume your normal diet.
  • Some discomfort is normal. Ask your surgeon what medicines to take for pain.
  • You may have shoulder pain for a few days. This is from the gas that was pumped into your belly. Lying down for a while often relieves this pain.
  • Keep your incision areas dry for a few days. Follow your surgeons instructions on bathing and dressing care. You may need to go back to have your stitches removed. Keep all your follow-up appointments.
  • Gradually resume normal activities in a few days.
  • Avoid heavy lifting for a few weeks. Ask your surgeon when you can return to specific activities.
  • You may be able to return to sexual activity in about 1 week.

Tell your surgeon about any of the following:

  • Increasing pain or pain that is not relieved by medicine
  • Any drainage, bleeding, redness, or swelling

Before you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know:

Other Methods Of Birth Control

Up to 20% of women who have tubal ligation eventually wish they hadn’t, so itâs important to think about all the possibilities. Women younger than 30 are more likely to change their minds later.

If youâre not sure, you might think about these long-term options for birth control:

Vasectomy. If youâre in a committed relationship, your husband or partner might be willing to get this procedure that keeps sperm from getting into his . Itâs a safer procedure than a tubal ligation, and it can be done while he’s awake.

IUD. Your doctor puts this small T-shaped plastic device into your uterus. It can stay in place anywhere from 3 to 10 years. IUDs are more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Implant. Your doctor puts a plastic rod about the size of a matchstick under the skin of your upper arm. It releases the hormone progestin and can stay in place for up to 3 years.

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What To Expect After Tubes Are Removed

You may have pain in your belly for a few days after surgery. If you had a laparoscopy, you may also have a swollen belly or a change in your bowels for a few days. After a laparoscopy, you may also have some shoulder or back pain. This pain is caused by the gas your doctor used to help see your organs better.

Can An Ectopic Pregnancy Be Detected By A Pregnancy Test

Does IVF or Tubal Ligation Reversal Have a Higher Pregnancy Success?

A urine pregnancy testincluding a home pregnancy testcan accurately diagnose a pregnancy but cannot detect whether it is an ectopic pregnancy. If a urine pregnancy test confirms pregnancy and an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, further blood testing or ultrasound is needed to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.

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Why Is A Cut In A Fallopian Tube Tied

Any tube that is simply cut will bleed and can cause a complication. When a doctor cuts a tube they will always place a suture around the cut ends. This is where the phrase to tie tubes comes from. The tying of the fallopian tube is done only to prevent the cut tube from bleeding and also to accelerate the tube healing closed.

If you become pregnant after a tubal ligation and your pregnancy is not ectopic, you dont need to worry about your tubal ligation harming the fetus. Since tubal ligation only affects the fallopian tubes, it will have no future affect on the pregnancy once the fertilized egg successfully implants in the uterus.

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