Tubal reversal surgery or IVF?
If you’ve changed your mind after having your tubes tied and want to now conceive, you’re likely deciding between tubal reversal surgery or IVF, shorthand for in vitro fertilization. But which option is best for you?
A tubal reversal is a surgical procedure where the blockage in the tubes is removed, and a doctor reconnects the severed tubes. Depending on the surgical method that was used to originally “tie” your tubes, a tubal reversal can give patients up to a 70 percent chance of getting pregnant, about the same as IVF combined with preimplantation genetic testing. However, with some tubal ligation methods of sterilization or if the tubes were cut too short, a reversal may not be possible at all. If tubal reversal is successful, a woman can get pregnant as many times as she’s naturally able and not have to rely on infertility drugs and assisted reproduction procedures like IVF. However, a big concern after tubal reversal surgery is a higher chance of ectopic pregnancy.
When IVF makes more sense
If a woman with her tubes tied does not want to undergo surgery, she may opt for IVF treatments. The best candidate for IVF after tubal ligation would be a woman who is producing healthy eggs and doesn’t have fallopian tubes damaged by scar tissue. Women older than 38 who want to get pregnant may opt for IVF since tubal reversal is not always effective in older women when it comes to conceiving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an in vitro fertilization treatment after tubal ligation gives women about a 35 percent chance of getting pregnant.
If you want to conceive again or for the first time but have had your tubes tied, consult with one of our highly trained physicians to find out which option is right for you. Contact us to learn more about your chances of becoming pregnant after tubal ligation.