Seven years ago my doctor performed a tubal ligation whereby my tube was cut and tied into a loop. Getting pregnant was easy prior to the procedure, but I was unable to carry to full term. Is a tubal reversal a good choice? What are my chances of getting pregnant? Will I still have difficulties carrying if I have the reversal? I had the ligation when I was 20; I am now 27.
You may be an excellent candidate for a tubal reversal. If possible, try to get a copy of the surgical notes from the ligation as well as the pathology report. That information will help your surgeon counsel you before surgery. The tubal reversal should give you a chance of pregnancy in excess of 65-70% if you are healthy and your partner has a normal sperm count. The final estimate of the chance of success depends on how much tube is actually left for the repair. The only hurdle to get passed is the first few weeks of a pregnancy after tubal repair surgery. As you may know, there is a risk of a tubal or ectopic pregnancy of about 2% per pregnancy after tubal surgery. You need to keep track of your menstrual cycles. If you are late by a couple of days, you should contact your local Ob/Gyn and have a blood pregnancy test. This blood test should be repeated every 2-3 days to confirm normal progress. In my practice, I insist on an ultrasound during the 5th week of the pregnancy. If a gestational sac is found in the womb, then all is well. If an ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed early, then the patient has the option of medical treatment instead of surgery.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Barring any major changes in your partner's sperm or your ovarian function, your chances are reasonably good for success. Consult with an experienced fertility specialist. He/she will do a thorough evaluation of you and your partner's reproductive system to determine your chances of getting pregnant following the tubal reversal procedure.
Published on Jul 11, 2012