Can I Get Pregnant After Having A Tubal Ligation?

Yes, the usually quoted statistic is that about 1 in 200 women who will get pregnant afterwards. Vasectomy is more effective as permanent birth control, by the way. Reversing a tubal ligation (very hard to do, though) is another way you could get pregnant again.

There is increased risk of the pregnancy being an ectopic if one does fall pregnant after tubal ligation.

Moreover, there are several different ways tubal ligation can be done. Ideally, part of each tube is removed, and the ends sealed up. However, the sealing may not be done completely. Also, the tubes may just be clipped closed, parts may be removed, parts may be removed and other parts sealed up, etc. Different surgeons have their own preferred technique. There is also a non-surgical technique ("Essure") where wires are forced through the cervix and into the tubes, leaving behind scar tissue which should effectively permanently block the tubes.

When the procedure is done using key-hole surgery the risk of anything going wrong (scalpal nicking the bladder, for instance) is slightly higher, and the risk of the sterlisation faliing probably also goes up. Tubal ligation is likely to be more successful and less risky as a permanent form of birth control when done immediately after a Cesarian section birth or otherwise as an open abdomen procedure -- but then, the post-operation infection rate and recovery period also goes up.

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I am living proof you can become pregnant after tubal ligation. I had my tubal ligation done right after the birth of my son,which was by cesarian, in 1998. My husband took me to the doctor jan. 23, 08 with sharp pains on my right side, which reminded me of labor pains but only higher, and to our surprise they told us I was pregnant! They did an ultrasound and could not see anything in my tubes, but they did find a lot of fluid in my uterus. My HCG level was 775. Their major concern was the fluid so they performed the surgery. My husband and I use to joke about me becoming pregnant again. Well you can bet we won't joke like that anymore!

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