It can be a real headache to go through all the available birth control options. There are so many factors to consider and it all depends on your lifestyle, your future plans, and how comfortable you are with the risks. One permanent solution is tubal ligation — but we’ve all heard stories of surprise pregnancies occurring after. Before you decide on this procedure, ask the important questions: what do you need to know about tubal ligation and can you get pregnant with your tubes tied?
What is tubal ligation?
What to do if you become pregnant after tubal ligation
If you find that you’re pregnant after a tubectomy, your treatment really depends on where the pregnancy is and how many there are.
In the case of an ectopic or tubal pregnancy, neither situation is viable for the fetus and also endangers the life of the pregnant person. If it’s early enough in an ectopic pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe methotrexate, a drug that can stop the egg from further growth or causing bleeding. If this is ineffective, then you will need surgery to remove the tissue. The doctor will either try to repair the fallopian tube or remove it altogether.
“If on the outside chance the fetus gets to the uterus, then the pregnancy may be continued,” said Dr. Alan Lindemann. “There is a rare possibility that there can be two simultaneous pregnancies: one in the tube and one in the uterus. In this case, the tube and the pregnancy in the tube must be removed. However, the pregnancy in the uterus may remain.”
