IVF After Tubal Ligation
Dr. Sonja Kristiansen has built a reputation as one of the leading fertility specialists in the Houston, TX area. Thanks to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other advanced treatments in assisted reproductive technology, she has help men and women experience the joys of pregnancy and building a family.
IVF can do more than just treat male or female infertility. It can also be used to circumvent certain forms of birth control such as tubal ligation. Let’s explore this issue in some detail below.
About Tubal Ligation as a Birth Control Method
Tubal ligation is sometimes referred to as “getting your tubes tied,” though it’s a bit more involved than that. The procedure cuts, blocks, or ties off the fallopian tubes. This prevents sperm from accessing the fallopian tubes and fertilizing a viable egg.
Sometimes women have second thoughts about pregnancy after tubal ligation, however. Perhaps they would like to have one child (or one more child) and wonder what they can do. A fertility doctor can certainly help in these situations.
Can I Undergo IVF If I Had My Tubes Tied?
Yes.
Women who have undergone tubal ligation can come to the Houston Fertility Center for IVF. This popular fertility procedure has helped countless women with tied tubes have a child without undoing the birth control surgery.
The IVF Procedure
During IVF, viable eggs are harvested from a woman’s ovaries. These eggs are fertilized in a lab and allowed to develop into embryos. When the embryos are ready, they are transferred to a woman’s uterus to be carried to term. The health and wellness of the baby is not impacted by their mother’s tubes being tied.
Why Not Just Reverse a Tubal Ligation?
While women could undergo a tubal ligation reversal surgery, they may want to go with IVF instead for these reasons:
- Johns Hopkins estimates reversal surgery is only successful 50 to 80 percent of the time, which means the surgical procedure may not be effective for many women
- IVF is a less invasive procedure than tubal ligation reversal
- IVF allows women to maintain the birth control benefits of tubal ligation while also becoming pregnant
We can help you weigh your options during the consultation process. In addition, if you’re considering tubal ligation, we can recommend fertility preservation techniques such as egg or embryo freezing just in case you want to have a baby in the future.
The Success Rates of IVF
The success rates of IVF can vary from patient to patient. Typically the age of the patient plays a role in the rate of success. These are success rates estimated by the American Pregnancy Association:
- Women under age 35 - 41 to 43 percent
- Women age 35 to 37 - 33 to 36 percent
- Women age 38 to 40 - 23 to 27 percent
- Women over 40 - 13 to 18 percent
Learn More About IVF
If you would like to learn more about IVF and your many other options for having a child after tubal ligation surgery, be sure to contact an experienced fertility doctor. You can also reach the Houston Fertility Center by phone at (713) 862-6181. We look froward to hearing from you.