Women who no longer wish to have children have the option of having their tubes tied via tubal ligation. The fallopian tubes are either cut or blocked during this outpatient surgical procedure. It stops an egg with the help of a tubal ring from entering your uterus, where it would normally be fertilised, once it is released from your ovary. The tubal ring inserted through laparoscopy obstructs the fallopian tube to achieve female sterilization.
While most pregnancies may be avoided with tubal ligation, this is not always the case. Reversing the procedure, also known as tubal reversal, tubal reanastomosis, or tubal sterilisation reversal, is a very real possibility. Using this technique, a woman whose fallopian tubes were previously tied can conceive naturally since the obstructed or severed parts are reconnectable.
The reversal may, nonetheless, raise your chance of developing an ectopic pregnancy. So let's go into the specifics so that we can more accurately understand the signs of an ectopic pregnancy and the margin of safe pregnancy.
As with any surgical procedure, anaesthesia, bleeding, or infection are potential risks associated with tubal ligation reversal. These are uncommon and thus, before your surgery, your doctor will discuss these risks with you.
Moreover, it raises your chance of developing an ectopic pregnancy—a pregnancy in which a fertilised egg implants outside of the uterus. The fallopian tube is where this often occurs. Ectopic pregnancies often make up approximately 2% or less of pregnancies overall and pregnancy rates among women who have had tubal ligation reversal range from 3 to 8%.
Also, ectopic pregnancy is a major consequence that can result in fatal bleeding if left untreated. And because it cannot proceed like regular pregnancies, it can lead to a medical emergency.
It doesn't follow that you will always feel that way since you were against pregnancy when you had your surgery. Over 14% of women who had their tubes tied have subsequently inquired about the process of undoing it. It might be possible to reverse your tubal ligation if you wish to become pregnant. The pregnancy rate following this operation is 75%-80% in the best-case scenario. Success depends on several factors, including:
Even if you're not a good candidate for reversal surgery, in-vitro fertilisation could still work to help you become pregnant. This involves putting a fertilised egg straight into your womb. Given that women over 40 are less likely to experience positive outcomes from the reversal, this could be the greatest alternative for them if they wish to become pregnant.
Most women who undergo tubal ligation reversal go on to have healthy pregnancies—between 50 and 80%. Among the elements influencing the outcome are:
The amount and calibre of sperm in your partner: If neither you nor your spouse have any infertility concerns, your chances of conceiving successfully increase.
The remaining healthy portion of the fallopian tube: You have a higher chance of becoming pregnant if your tubal ligation caused less damage to your fallopian tubes.
Pelvic scar tissue is present: Your chances of becoming pregnant may be impacted by scar tissue from prior pelvic procedures.
Kind of sterilisation: Following the reversal, women who underwent ring or clip sterilisation are more likely to become pregnant.
After tubal reversal, women under 35 are more likely to successfully conceive, whereas those over 40 are less likely to do so. Thirty to forty per cent of women over 40 have a successful pregnancy, compared to seventy to eighty per cent of women under 35.
Both placement and reversal of a tubal ring depend on the choice of women. While employment of tubal rings prevents unwanted pregnancy, decreases the risk of ovarian cancer, leaves no long-term side effects and does not disturb hormone production by ovaries, removal of these rings can help reverse a tubal ligation for a successful pregnancy. When determining the best course of action for you, there are several things to take into account, such as age, general health, and fertility. Hence, discuss your possibilities for a future pregnancy with your doctor when you opt for tubal rings as a contraceptive measure. The procedure of getting it done and getting rid of it is simple, ensuring same-day discharge with minimal surgical interaction. It is you who needs to make a choice wisely for the potential reversibility under guidance!