You got a tubal knot? Don't worry you can still become a mother 

Dr Uzma Fatema

Image by therapractice from Pixabay

When a couple decides to undergo a procedure like tubal ligation it means they do not want a child in their life any more. Tubal ligation is tying of fallopian tubes to prevent ovum from travelling during menstrual cycle. In some cases the tubes are cut. This prevents occurrence of a pregnancy permanently. Remember a tubal ligation does not stop you from having your menses. You just can’t conceive a baby.

In future the very same couple may face an unexpected eventuality like losing their kid in an accident or due to a life taking disease. In some cases, the child goes missing. This sudden loss of a kid causes parents particularly the mother to think about having another baby. They think having another baby will compensate for the loss.

Can you become a mother again?

In today’s times, technology has reached at such an advanced level that doctors can use them in finding a way out for such couples. There are two options for reigniting fertility in women with tubal ligation. They can either go for a recanalisation operation to reopen the ligated tube or can choose In Vitro Fertilisation process.

1.   1. Recanalisation

In this procedure, doctors untie the knot and in some cases reconnect the fallopian tubes. Recanalisation can reopen the tubes but this doesn’t guarantee that you can again conceive a baby. The chances for having a successful pregnancy are lower if you undergo recanalisation procedure.

Ectopic pregnancy

Once the doctor unties or reconnects your fallopian tubes, it is highly likely that you may get a scar. The scar hinders the movement of ovum from fallopian tubes to the uterus. This may trap your fertilised egg in the fallopian tube. In a normal pregnancy, the fertilised egg travels to uterus from fallopian tubes. And there lurks a threat of infection due to operative procedures. Finally, a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease may occur.

 2.   In Vitro Fertilisation

In Vitro Fertilisation does’t require reopening of fallopian tubes. In this procedure, an ovum is extracted from an ovary and is united with a sperm outside the body, which is generally done in a test tube. This should be done under all the necessary conditions and atmosphere suitable for the cells. This method is also called a test tube baby procedure. Note that hospital charges for an IVF procedure vary.

Should you for an IVF?

As a gynaecologist and someone with an extensive experience in obstetrics, I would say yes you should go for an IVF if you could afford it. But remember that there is a 40% chance of a successful pregnancy if you are trying to conceive through IVF.

Conclusion

Recanalisation is quite hard to be done as there is a higher risk of contracting a nosocomial infection and possibility of an unsatisfactory result in reversing the infertility. A nosocomial infection is the one you get at a hospital. Also there is more chance for an ectopic pregnancy than a normal pregnancy.

Instead of going for a tubal ligation, you can opt for an IVF if you want to conceive a baby again. Note that tubal ligation doesn't stop ovulation rate in women. There is a 40% chance for a healthy pregnancy in IVF.