Pregnancy After Tubal Ligation: IVF or Tubal Reversal?
Specializing in tubal surgery and the treatment of infertility in women who have had tubal ligations (tubes tied), we meet many patients who share many different stories with us. In the fall of 2008, I was conducting a preoperative evaluation with a patient for a tubal ligation reversal after she had an unsuccessful IVF treatment cycle. Here is her story.
Limits of Reproductive Freedom in the United States:
The Story of Cyndi and Steven
Cyndi is a 35 year old hospital administrator from Arkansas and a mother of two teenage children. Steven is 34 years old and has no children. He is also a hospital administrator in the department of mental health.
Eleven years prior to meeting Steven, Cyndi was in an failing marriage in which she felt desperate. After having two children with her husband, Cyndi had a tubal ligation at the age of 24. Cyndi had her tubes tied because she felt trapped and she had resolved never to have another child with her husband. She eventually divorced and became a single parent. She now wants to have children with Steven.
Quest for a Tubal Ligation Reversal
Cyndi and Steven are not married, but they want to become parents together. Searching on the internet for “tubal ligation reversal”, they found Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. Cyndi sent her medical records to be evaluated for reversal of tubal ligation. Before deciding to come to Chapel Hill, they made an appointment with a local infertility specialist in Arkansas to inquire about having her tubes untied. Her physician reviewed her tubal ligation operative report and ordered a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). They were told this was necessary before having tubal reversal surgery. The cost for the initial evaluation of Cyndi’s infertility was $3300. After her HSG, the infertility doctor told her in vitro fertilization (IVF) would be a better alternative for her.
According to Cyndi, two statements the doctor made are clear in her memory:
“Your tubes can not be repaired based on the HSG report and operative note.”
“Pregnancy results are statistically better with IVF.”
Cyndi felt they were talked into IVF by the doctor. Cyndi says that she and Steven are impatient, and they were lured by the quick pregnancy results promised by IVF. Cyndi was told that one more test would be required before starting IVF, and the money paid to be evaluated for reversal surgery would be deducted from the total cost of IVF.
Then They Discovered No Marriage Equals No IVF!
After making the decision to proceed with treatment by IVF, rather than tubal reversal surgery, Cyndi called her infertility doctor’s office to schedule the last required test in order to start her IVF cycle. She was shocked by the response given by the nurse.
Cyndi was told IVF treatments would not be provided to her because she and Steven were not married. The nurse informed Cyndi the state law of Arkansas does not allow IVF treatments for unmarried couples, and they would have to travel out of the state for IVF treatment.
Cyndi felt she had not been given complete information about IVF at the onset. At the beginning of their evaluation, they had filled out forms stating they were not married. Despite the fact they were encouraged to have IVF throughout their evaluation, neither the doctor nor the staff told them IVF would be illegal in Arkansas because they were not married. Only after several doctor’s visits, medical tests, and more than $3000 spent, were Cyndi and Steven told they were not allowed to have IVF treatments in her home state of Arkansas.
Why Does Cyndi Not Want to Remarry?
Cyndi says she has great love for Steven and wants to have his child, but she does not want to set herself up for another failed marriage. In listening to Cyndi, I sensed that she has insight and maturity taught to her by some of her life’s past bitter lessons. She seemed to face her challenges with both calm and resolution.
Part II of Cyndi’s Story
The second part of this article, Tubal Ligation Reversal After Failed IVF, describes Cyndi’s failed IVF treatment cycle and her ultimate decision to have a tubal ligation reversal.
Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center
The tubal reversal doctors Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center perform over 800 tubal ligation reversal procedures each year. Patients travel here from across the United States and from around the world to have their tubes untied because of our high pregnancy success rates and the quality of our patient care. We untie tubes and repair tubal blockage.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
August 15th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
[...] you wish a pregnancy after tubal ligation, check out the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. They have performed thousands of tubal ligation [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I just came across Cyndi and Steve’s story while researching options for conceiving after have my tubes tied and burnt. We also reside in the state of Arkansas and, for our own reasons, do not wish to marry. We each have children with our respective ex’s, four total, each of whom are anxious to expand our family as well.I was very young (22) when I had my tubes tied and burnt following the birth of my daughter, my third child in as many years. I am almost 34 now, and regret the decision deeply. At the time it seemed like the thing to do as three different forms of birth control had failed and my insurance at the time would only cover the procedure if it was a complete sterilization(burning). We dearly love the four children we have, and are in a very different place in our lives than I was at 22. I can’t imagine a family that could provide a child more love than we would. I admit that for me as a woman, just the experience of bringing a child into this world with somebody who wants and loves him or her as much as I do would be an emotional one for me. Best of luck to you both!
April 10th, 2009 at 6:44 am
If a tubal clip is applied across the tube, it cannot come loose. It is possible, however, for a pregnancy to occur if the clip is not entirely across the tube or if a spontaneous opening (fistula) develops in the tube. Although these are uncommon, it is always a good idea for a woman to perform a home pregnancy test if her period does not occur as expected and she suspects the possibility that she may be pregnant.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:22 am
If a tubal Ligation clip were to come loose and undo from the tube, can a women get pregnant?
January 16th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is devoted to not only patient care before, during and after surgery, but to patient follow up and detailed pregnancy statistics. The expertise of the work Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith clearly shows that the possibility of pregnancy from tubal reversal surgery outweighs the one time affects of IVF. Cyndi made the right choice to come to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center and we look forward to good news in her future.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:52 am
[...] This is part two of Cyndi’s story. Cyndi traveled to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center for reversal of tubal ligation after discovering IVF for unmarried couples was illegal in Arkansas (AR). Part one of Cyndi’s story is Pregnancy After Tubal Ligation: IVF or Tubal Reversal? [...]
January 8th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I truly wish Cindi and Steven the best. It’s unfortunate that so much money was spent. They seemed to have been pressured into the direction of IVF only to be turned away. Fortunately, Tubal reversal has given many women like Cindi hope.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
It is such a shame that Cindi and Steven had to go through this ordeal. It seems many doctors push IVF over tubal reversal. Tubal reversal gives you a chance each month to have a child versus the one shot with IVF.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:45 am
My heart goes out to Cyndi and Steven. At Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center our doctors and staff strive to give our patients a safe and comfortable environment to which they can come after an informed decision. Patient education is one of the many unique features we offer. I look forward to welcoming Cyndi and Steven into our tubal reversal family.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I can’t believe how callous her doctor treated her. She must have been in SHOCK when she met the staff at CH!
I hope Cyndi’s journey ends with a healthy baby for her and her partner.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
That is an extremely unfortunate situation that Cyndi has been put into. Thankfully she has found Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center where we are here to help her every step of the way. Hopefully she can find some peace in that she is in the right hands now and that she and Steven are on the road to being able to have a child together. I can’t wait to meet her and look forward to hearing the rest of her story!
January 6th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Cyndi’s story is not unusual in regard to the advice her doctor gave her about IVF. Most doctors think that this is the only option, and most reproductive endocrinologists only perform IVF. However, it turns out that tubal reversal (at least as performed at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center) is more successful, less expensive, and offers the chance to conceive naturally – and more than once if desired.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Cyndi’s story really touches your heart. I can only imagine how it felt to have put thousands of dollars into an effort of having a child, only to find out that it was illegal in my home state. How terrible to go through that. The statements about pregnancy results that were made to her are shocking. I can’t wait to hear the next part of her story. I wish Cyndi the best!