Tubal ligation is technically classified as permanent birth control, so only women who don’t plan or want children should have the procedure. But, what seemed smart a few years ago may seem like a terrible decision today.
Studies show that 28% of women who undergo tubal ligation end up regretting it. Famed infertility specialist, Daniel Rostein, MD, FACOG, and our team of empathetic providers offer a solution for that regret: tubal ligation reversal.
If you had your tubes tied and are now looking to have a baby, this procedure may be right for you.
Tubal ligation closes your fallopian tubes, which prevent eggs from traveling to the uterus. Several methods include cutting, burning, or removing small sections of the fallopian tubes. Some procedures even remove the fallopian tubes.
The goal of tubal ligation is to permanently prevent conception. The procedure leaves your uterus intact, and you’ll still have a menstrual cycle. So, the only real change is stopping normal egg movement through the fallopian tubes.
In tubal ligation reversal, Dr. Rostein restores your fallopian tubes so they can transport eggs again. You’ll be under anesthesia for the procedure. The procedure starts with one or more small incisions, allowing Dr. Rostein to access your fallopian tubes.
He then reopens and reconnects the two sides of each tube, placing sutures around the outer circumference to keep the tubes connected.
After he finishes that part of the procedure, Dr. Rostein injects a special dye into the ends of the tubes. If the dye moves through the tube, it shows that the tube was successfully reconnected.
At the end of the tubal ligation reversal procedure, Dr. Rostein places a couple of small stitches (generally, the self-dissolving kind) to close your incisions.
Up to 84% of women can conceive a baby after tubal ligation reversal. Individual factors play into the success rate, such as your age when you have the reversal procedure, how long your fallopian tubes are, and whether you have pelvic adhesions (scar tissue).
Before your procedure, we take the time to discuss what to expect and your chances of conceiving a baby after reversal so you can make a fully informed choice.
We’re here to help you reach your goals and have a successful pregnancy. So, if you feel the procedure isn’t right for you, there are other ways to have a baby, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
If you regret having your tubes tied, don’t give up hope. Tubal ligation reversal can be a life-changing procedure that can allow you to get pregnant again. If you’d like to learn more, call our office or contact us online today.
