I had a tubal ligation 7 years ago, is a tubal reversal right for me if I want to get pregnant?

Whether a tubal reversal is right for you (given your goal of wanting to get pregnant), depends on a number of factors including your age, tubal health, ovarian reserve, amount of remaining tube after the initial tubal ligation, etc. If all of these areas are fine and your doctor feels you are a good candidate for a tubal reversal, then you can proceed with the procedure. If not, or if you would like to try to get pregnant without having to reverse your main form of birth control (tubal ligation), you can do in vitro fertilization.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

It depends on your age, the type of procedure they did and whether you want birth control again after you conceive. My experience is that the reversals are not very successful long-term. You're better off going for IVF.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

There is the option of a tubal reversal or IVF. It is best to have a consult with a specialist to determine what may be best for you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Thank you for the email. There are many things to consider when deciding if a tubal reversal is the right choice for you and your family.

The obvious advantage with a tubal reversal is the hope that you will be able to achieve pregnancy with no interventions. The typical estimate is that, if everything goes well and all things are optimal, about 75% of women will achieve pregnancy within their 1st year of trying. If there are any factors that are not optimal, the chances for success can be significantly lower.

Here are some things to consider:

•Before a tubal reversal should take place, you and your doctor first need to know if it is a good option. For example, considerations include egg quality, your age, tubal status, endocrine status, and it is very important to know what the sperm quality is of the male partner.

•If you are determined to be a good candidate, surgery will need to take place. The success of the surgery often cannot be determined until after the surgery. For example, what conditions are the tubes in and is there any scar tissue or endometriosis.

•If the reversal is “successful,” the chance of success is still not insured. For example, there is an increased risk for ectopic pregnancy.

•After a reversal, and should pregnancy occur as hoped, you will have to consider birth control options once again (e.g. contraception vs. another tubal ligation)

The other option is obviously IVF. The benefits of IVF are:

•Many variables can be worked around
•Success rate each month is much greater
•Options for prevention of genetic disease through new genetic screening
•Option to screen embryos for chromosome or genetic conditions to decrease the chance for having a baby with a syndrome, or a miscarriage, through a process called preimplantation genetic testing

There are drawbacks as well:

•Requires medication for stimulation
•It is not the “natural” option that some couples desire
•It costs more than a tubal reversal

There is much to consider prior to deciding what is the best option. The first step is a consultation with a fertility specialist to discuss your history and start your lab work-up. From there, the specialist will be able to advise you on the options that best fit your needs.

Published on Jul 11, 2012