Women who were tubal ligation reversal sterilized to prevent pregnancy can conceive again by undergoing a surgical procedure known as tubal ligation reversal. This involves removing the clips that block the fallopian tubes and reconnecting them. This is also called the Pomeroy or Irving procedure and can be done through minilaparotomy or laparoscopic surgery.

The reversal success rate depends on the type of tubal ligation used and the woman’s age. Surgical reversal has the highest chances of success when performed on younger women who had a ligation procedure that involved clipping or pinching the tubes, rather than cutting them (Hulka/Filshie Clip and Bipolar Coagulase procedures). However, even after tubal ligation reversal, there is still an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, especially for older women.

Reversing Tubal Ligation: Exploring the Options in Florida

Having other health problems, including autoimmune diseases or other medical conditions that can impact fertility, may make it less likely that reversal surgery will be successful. Before a woman has reversal surgery, we will probably test her and her partner to learn more about their sperm and egg quality, as well as take images of her abdomen to check the uterus for scar tissue or other factors that might impact pregnancy.

If reversal surgery isn’t an option for you, we can help you have children through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This process involves collecting mature eggs from the woman’s ovaries and then fertilizing them with a man’s sperm in a laboratory dish. IVF is a more expensive option, and many insurance plans do not cover it. However, the pregnancy rates with IVF have been increasing and it can provide a child without the need for reversal surgery.