If I had my tubes clipped, is there still a chance I could get pregnant? Also, can the clips be easily removed?

Tubal ligation is a very effective form of pregnancy prevention. Therefore, in order to get pregnant now, you would either need a surgery to remove the clips, or you could proceed with IVF (in vitro fertilization) where we don't need the tubes to be open. IVF carries a very high rate of success, depending on a few hormonal and ovarian tests we typically do.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Removing the clips is very commonly done by qualified microsurgeons. Once removed, the scarred and blocked segments are opened and reanastomosed.

With that said, you have an excellent chance of success.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Tubes can be tied by using clips or suture or electrosurgical burning of the tubes. They can also have plugs or coils placed in the part of the tube near the uterus or, in some cases, the tubes can be completely removed. If the tubes are clipped properly, the chance of pregnancy occurring is much less than 1%. However, clipped tubes can be "unclipped" by a relatively easy operation that requires a small opening in the lower abdomen just above the pubic hair line ("transverse mini-laparotomy"), removal of the clips and tubal reversal (sewing the tubes back together), usually using very fine sutures and doing the operation through a microscope. Hospital stay may be only 1 or 2 days, and sometimes the operation is done as an outpatient so you go home the same day. Most women can drive again within a week and have complete recovery in 3 to 6 weeks. The operation has low risk relative to most gynecologic surgeries. Pregnancy can be attempted about 3 months after the surgery. The chance of pregnancy after the surgery ranges from about 40% to 80%. Favorable factors for getting pregnant are younger age (25 is very young and positive), the amount of damage to the tube when performing the sterilization (clips usually cause little damage, so that is good), the place in the tube that it is clipped (closer to the uterus is better), the skill of the surgeon performing the tubal reversal, and other fertility factors such as your partner's sperm quality and whether or not ovulation is normal. Some women who might not have a good chance for pregnancy with tubal reversal will have with in vitro fertilization (IVF). The best first step is to see a reproductive surgeon or reproductive endocrinologist who can assess your situation and give you personalized recommendations.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You would need to have a surgery (tubal reversal is a delicate surgery taking 2-3 hours to perform) to remove the clips and reconnect your tubes in order for you to get pregnant. The cost for this surgery is around $6,500.

Published on Jul 11, 2012