The decision to have children, or stop having children, is a very personal one. When a parent knows deep down that their family is complete, they may consider opting for a tubal ligation to make birth control easier and as a way to enjoy a more relaxed sex life. In rare cases, the procedure can fail. Other times it's ineffective due to the timing of ovulation. Some patients even change their minds and undergo a reversal to increase their chances of pregnancy after tubal ligation.
During the procedure, which is done under general anesthesia, a surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen and tie off the fallopian tubes to prevent an egg from traveling through the fallopian tube. In the U.S. approximately 600,000 tubal occlusions are performed yearly. Read on to discover 4 true stories of people who became pregnant after having their tubes tied.
Pregnancy after tubal ligation failure
Symptoms of ectopic pregnancy after tubal ligation
Undergoing a tubal ligation procedure can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy</a>; when a fertilized egg implants within the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can be treated with medication if caught early, but laparoscopic surgery may be necessary to remove the tissue and repair the fallopian tube if it goes undetected for too long.
4. Online forums are a helpful resource for those dealing with a variety of difficult situations. An ectopic pregnancy is no different. Online user Libertyke shared her story on the UK Ectopic Pregnancy Trust Forum.
"I've never wanted to be a mother for many different reasons, why [sic] is why (after conversations with my husband of course), I decided to have a tubal ligation," forum user Libertyke wrote. "Best decision in my life, since I didn’t have to worry about anything anymore concerning birth control."
However, the procedure would prove to be unsucessful, and later landed the author of the post in the ER. She details undergoing a variety of tests and bloodwork which showed elevated hCG levels, but nothing in her uterus indicating she was pregnant. It was then that doctors suspected an ectopic pregnancy.
"Words can not describe how I’m feeling since all of this has happened," she wrote on the forum. "I was shocked to hear that I was pregnant, despite my tubal ligation (which apparently is very rare), and then again to find out it was ectopic."
An ectopic pregnancy can quickly become an emergency situation, so it is important to recognize symptoms. In addition to the typical signs of pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy after tubal ligation can include symptoms such as:
- Pain in the abdomen and pelvic area
- Vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Unconsciousness
These symptoms require immediate medical treatment, as an ectopic pregnancy could cause fallopian tube rupture.
