Unknown Tubal Ligation | Hope of Tubal Ligation Reversal
In the Fall of 2008, I was preparing to meet with a patient who was traveling to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center from Fort Campbell, Kentucky (KY) for a tubal ligation reversal. The patient’s name was Catrina. She is 33 years old and newly married to, Chris, an Army Staff Sergeant.
Catrina sent us an operative report from a diagnostic laparoscopy (camera surgery), that discovered she had a tubal ligation. During our interview, I asked her why her general gynecologist had done this surgery. I was surprised by the story she had to tell.
Catrina’s Story
“On January 30th, 1998, I had a tubal ligation without my consent. I was having my daughter by by C-section and, while I was under general anesthesia, my ex-husband told the doctor he no longer wanted to have children. My ex-husband signed the tubal ligation consent papers. Without either my consent or knowledge, the doctor tied my tubes. I was never informed of this procedure.
My marriage was abusive and did not work out for many painful reasons: I now will fast-forward about 7 years.
I meet Chris and we could not figure out why we were not getting pregnant. There was nothing wrong with him and, I thought, nothing was wrong with me. I went to my gynecologist to be evaluated for infertility. I had a hysterosalpingogram x-ray (HSG). The HSG showed tubal blockage on both sides.
Of course, I was wondering why in the heck my tubes were blocked. The doctor suggested we have a diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate why my tubes were blocked. After I awoke from surgery, he told me my tubes were blocked because I had previous tubal ligation. I was stunned. I thought these kinds of things did not happen here in the United States! You mostly hear about these stories in third world countries.
After I got over the shock and denial, I started researching how I could have a baby after a tubal ligation. I had just about all but given up hope when a friend told me about Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. After some research into tubal ligation reversal, I was excited and decided to have a tubal reversal. Apprehensive but excited!
On Oct 15 2008, Dr. Monteith and his wonderful tubal reversal team gave me back my life and my dream of having a ton of kids! If I had never gone to see Dr. Monteith, then I do not know what I would have done! In just ten days after surgery, I felt like I had not felt in years. I was so much happier and had so much more energy. Amazingly, everything even looked and smelled better. I felt like I had been reborn.”
Pregnant After Tubal Reversal
We were extremely excited to hear Catrina became pregnant within two weeks of her tubal ligation reversal surgery. Unfortunately while writing this article, Catrina notified us she had a miscarriage and is now physically and emotionally recovering from this event. Since Catrina is not a regular Tubal Reversal Message Board user, we invite readers to leave comments for her on this blog posting.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Lisa
We require your BMI to be less than 35 before you can schedule tubal reversal surgery. Many women are able to lose weight to have reversal surgery with us. Having a BMI of less than 35 will make both your surgery and pregnancy safer!
Many women on our Tubal Reversal Message Board offer support and suggestions for weight loss before tubal reversal surgery.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:21 am
I am seeking a reversal after just having a remarriage. He has no children.But I’m overweight and trying to lose weight, but I was looking at the BMI. Any suggestions? I would hate to start the process and not lose all the weight and then won’t be able to get the procedure.
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Catrina you should keep thinking positive and know what is for you is for you.
I have a lot of faith that you will be pregnant soon. I will keep praying for you and your family especially your soon to be baby.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Catrina, I can’t imagine what is going through your head or how your heart must be breaking. However, you got through the abusive relationship with the man who made the decision without your knowledge, you’ve gotten through the surgery and you will also get through this. Good people deserve good things and you will get yours. Good luck and I will keep you both in my prayers.
December 11th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Catrina
I am sorry to hear of your miscarriage. I hope that soon you will be able to move on and keep trying. Hope you are doing well. Best wishes to you and your family.
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Best wishes for a full healing after the miscarriage. We are thinking about you.
December 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Catrina,
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. I hope you can keep positive thoughts, and in time try again. Thank you for having the courage to share your story with everyone. I know that is has touched many people. Please keep us updated on how you are doing! Best wishes!!
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Catrina,
It was exciting to hear of your positive pregnancy so soon after your tubal reversal. I am sorry to hear of your miscarriage. Take care of yourself and keep positive!
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Catrina,
After all you have been through, you deserve a world of happiness. Thanks for sharing your story.
I wish you all the best.
December 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 am
Catrina, I am sorry for your loss and I hope with time, your sadness will ease and you will be able to conceive again. Thank you for sharing your story. Expressing your experience will help others, too.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Catrina–Thank you for having the courage to come forward with your story. I am happy for you that your mystery was solved and you were able to have your tubes repaired. I wish you all the best in the future.
December 1st, 2008 at 11:45 am
Catrina,
I’m sorry about what you have been through and wish you the best in the future.
December 1st, 2008 at 11:27 am
Catrina,
I am so glad you shared your story, you are not alone and now Dr Monteith has given you hope for the future.
Please keep in touch.
Pam
December 1st, 2008 at 10:41 am
That is a remarkable story Catrina. I’m glad you were able to find us and have a succesful reversal surgery. Good luck in the future.
Brandon,ST
December 1st, 2008 at 9:45 am
Dear Catrina:
We were very sorry to learn of your miscarriage, but happy to know that having your reversal procedure has given you hope and a feeling of well-being that was missing prior to the surgery!
Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
December 1st, 2008 at 9:09 am
Hi Catrina, I’m sorry to hear you had a miscarriage. I am praying for you and your family. I too had my tubes tied without my consent by my ex-husband. I’ve been married for 8 years now and we have been trying and could not figure out why we were not able to get pregnant. Well one day out of the blue my ex-husband told me he had my tubes tied, I didn’t believe him went to the doctor who delivered my son by c-section, his office said they had destroyed my records. Well i did HSG test and found out that I had blockage, and I will have my reversal surgery on Dec. 12. e-mail me, mrsdamon2004@hotmail.com
November 30th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Catrina, that is sad news about the miscarriage. I am praying for you. It is a blessing to be able to get pregnant again, and when you have recovered down the road you and Chris can try again. I recently had my reversal on November 20th, just about a month after you. Dr Monteith did my surgery as well. I see that your husband has a screaming eagles shirt on. We are stationed at Campbell. It would be nice to meet a local sister. If you like and when you are up to it, you can email me on AKO. It is eloisa.saunders
Keep your head up sweetie!
Elle
November 29th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Catrina, I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Keep your head up and all will work out in the end. Although my Bilateral Tubal Ligation was done with my consent, I do not feel that I was in an good emotional state to make that sort of decision. I was in a failing relationship, going through a pregnancy alone, and having family problems/issues. The same Doctors who prescribed me an anti-depressant during that pregnancy, performed a BTL when I told them that I could not go through another pregnancy alone. I was 27 years old. I wish the best for you and your new husband, God Bless You. I know Dr. Monteith personally and he gives his all to every patient, you were in good hands. I hope to be so too soon. Take Care.
November 29th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Dear Catrina and Chris, please know you both are in our prayers and thoughts. Keep a postive outlook even though in this time of your grief it is hard to do. God has a way of blessing each of us in our lives. Keep the faith that it will happen. It is wonderful you both became pregnant so soon. You give us all hope. I hope to have my reversal done next year early. God bless
November 29th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Catrina is not the first patient that has come to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center who has reported having a tubal ligation procedure without her knowledge or consent.
Here are some links to other blog articles that discuss the ethics of tubal sterilization and informed consent: