When a woman decides to get her “tubes tied”, the decision is influenced after putting in a lot of thought. Often, the decision reflects the circumstances in which the woman is dealing at that time. However, as it happens in our lives, circumstances change, and so do aspirations. After a few years, the desire for getting pregnant can set in and the woman who once decided against the idea, now desperately seeks a way to conceive. Tubal ligation is considered one of the most effective methods in preventing pregnancy, but presently there are options to become pregnant even after undergoing tubal reversal. Let us discuss them in detail.
Tubal ligation reversal: The most preferred option
Among the available solutions, tubal ligation reversal seems to be the most feasible one. This surgical procedure can efficiently restore fertility by reconnecting the blocked fallopian tubes. Thus, women can hope to conceive once again, even after they undergo tubal ligation. However, tubal ligation reversal may not be suitable for everyone, and she needs to understand the success rates, influencing factors, and the risks involved. For more information on tubal ligation reversal, you can check out https://www.tubalreversalcenter.com and get relevant details.
Success rates and factors related to tubal reversal surgery
The type of tubal ligation done in the first place can determine the success of the tubal reversal procedure. In situations, where women had their fallopian tubes cut or removed can find it challenging to have it reversed compared to those whose tubes were blocked by using clips or rings. Next, the experience and skill of the surgeon can also become a crucial factor. Unless the surgeon has profound knowledge in microsurgery they cannot deal with this complicated surgery accurately.
Often, age is one of the imperative factors that decide whether a woman will be successful after undergoing tubal reversal surgery. Younger women usually have a higher chance of becoming successful than older women. The reason is that egg quality tends to decline with age which in turn impacts the likelihood of conceiving. Lastly, the length of the healthy fallopian tubes needs to be taken into consideration. The longer the segments of the fallopian tubes are after tubal ligation, the chances of successful reversal would increase. Longer tubes offer more tissue for the attending surgeon to work with and increase the chances of repairing or reconnecting them.
Important considerations
Tubal reversal surgery can be expensive and to make matters worse, it is not usually covered by insurance plans. The aspiring candidate can check with their insurance provider regarding coverage, as some policies may cover a portion of the costs.
Tubal reversal being a surgical procedure comes with some side effects and risks. Infection, bleeding, scar tissue, and a minimal chance of ectopic pregnancy are some of the known side effects that can happen after tubal reversal. Moreover, women need to understand, that success cannot be guaranteed even after a successful tubal reversal surgery. Additional factors like age, egg quality, and underlying health conditions are the prime factors that impact the potential of fertility.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)- An alternative way to conceive
If a woman does not qualify as a suitable candidate for tubal reversal surgery, she can consult a fertility specialist and clarify her doubts about undergoing the IVF procedure. For the unversed, IVF is a well-known assisted reproductive technology that can be a suitable alternative for achieving pregnancy for women who have previously undergone tubal ligation. IVF bypasses the requirement of attending fallopian tubes, so it hardly matters whether they are blocked or open. Here is the IVF procedure in a nutshell:
- Ovarian stimulation: The woman needs to take fertility medicines to stimulate the ovaries and produce eggs in greater quantities.
- Egg retrieval: After the eggs become mature, they are retrieved from the ovaries with the help of a thin needle.
- Sperm retrieval: Sperm is also collected from the male partner or a donor. A donor is considered if the male partner is also affected by infertility problems.
- Fertilization: The procedure of fertilizing the egg occurs in a lab setting where sperm and eggs are combined which eventually leads to fertilization. The embryos that develop following the aforesaid process are then closely monitored for some days.
- Embryo transfer: The healthy embryos are ultimately selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus. Implantation follows soon, and the woman can become pregnant.
Advantages of IVF
When compared to tubal reversal, success rates of IVF seem to be higher. Moreover, IVF is a better alternative for women who are older than 35 years, when egg quality starts to decline. The best part, even if a woman is unsuccessful in her attempts at tubal reversal, she can succeed in getting pregnant with the help of IVF.
Choosing between IVF and Tubal reversal
According to health specialists, choosing between tubal reversal and IVF is more of a personal decision. Whichever option the woman chooses, she should do so after careful consideration and having a thorough discussion with a qualified healthcare practitioner. The key considerations are as follows:
- Overall health: As mentioned before, the general health of the woman will play a significant role in determining the most suitable option among the two.
- Finances: Both IVF and tubal reversal can prove to be expensive. Costs can vary depending on several factors like location, chosen specialist, and specific requirements. Thus, the woman should have realistic expectations and consider the options for arranging and paying for these services.
- Future pregnancies: A woman, who hopes for multiple children after tubal ligation, should consider tubal reversal as it can revert fertility. IVF, on the other hand, is more suitable for people who are aiming at conceiving for once only.
- Emotional and psychological health: Both tubal reversal and IVF can be emotionally draining for the woman. Therefore, it is essential to reflect on the preparedness of the mind. each of these procedures can cause her to experience setbacks, and the desired outcome may not be achieved. Considering the above circumstances, she would do better finding a support group and discussing potential challenges with them.
Final words
The woman needs to understand; that it is not possible to speculate which of these procedures would be right for her. Furthermore, just because another person got success with one of these processes does not mean it would be the best for another person. It is best to leave the decision in the hands of a professional healthcare specialist. They should help the woman to show them the right path.
