Can You Get Pregnant After Having a Tubal?

After a tubal ligation you probably think you are done with having kids, but tubal ligation or “having your tubes tied” isn’t a guarantee that you won’t get pregnant again. Your body may surprise you with a new bundle of joy, in fact, not long after a tubal ligation.

Process

Tubal ligation is called a sterilization process, which may make some women imagine that all of their eggs will be destroyed so there is no possible chance of pregnancy. This actually isn’t true. A tubal is simply the process of cutting, tying, banding or burning the fallopian tubes so that the eggs cannot travel down the tubes to reach the uterus to be fertilized. The egg will simply sit in the tube and be absorbed by the body.

Time Frame

According to the Mayo Clinic, 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant within a year of getting a tubal ligation. The younger you are when you have the procedure done, the more likely you are to get pregnant. Overall, 1 percent of women who receive a tubal ligation will get pregnant some time after the procedure, no matter what type of process is used to close the tubes.

Cause

Even after the fallopian tubes are cut, burned, tied or banded, a woman’s fallopian tubes are strong, and they sometimes repair themselves enough to allow an egg to travel to the uterus. Tubes that are tied or banded with clips or rings can also come undone, allowing the egg clear passage to the uterus to be fertilized. Clips have the highest failure rate out of all the tubal ligation methods.

Prevention

There are a couple ways you can prevent pregnancy after a tubal. Use contraception one month before your surgery and for one month after the surgery or until your next period. This will reduce the chances of an accidental fertilization.

Warnings

Pregnancy with a tubal ligation is more likely to be an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is when the egg starts growing outside of the uterus by attaching itself to the outer walls of the reproductive organs. This is a potentially life-threatening disorder; the fetus will need to be removed with surgery since it is endangering the life of the mother and the fetus will not be able to survive outside the uterus. If you have lower abdomen pain, dizziness or a missed period, consult with your doctor or gynecologist.