For all the JUJU mamas wishing to conceive, we know there can be unique challenges that come. One of the challenges I’ve been hearing from the women in my community is getting pregnant after their tubes are tied.
Although pregnancy after tubal ligation can present some challenges, it is possible to conceive if your tubes are tied. For some women, this process will be more difficult, so it’s important to understand the risks, benefits, and steps that must take place so you can make the best decisions for you.
What is tubal ligation?
Tubal ligation, or “getting your tubes tied” is a form of permanent birth control that helps women prevent future pregnancies. It involves cutting and tying off the fallopian tubes, making it difficult or impossible for eggs to enter the uterus.
Many women choose tubal ligation because they’re either finished having children, or are certain they don't want children in the future.
The benefit of choosing this procedure is that it’s a permanent form of birth control, making contraception no longer necessary.
Can you get pregnant after tubal ligation?
Although tubal ligation is highly effective at preventing pregnancy, it’s still possible to accidentally become pregnant after the procedure.
According to Hopkins Medicine, 1 out of 200 women still become pregnant after their tubes are tied.
This could be due to your physician performing the procedure incorrectly, or your fallopian tubes growing back together.
When this happens, it can increase your risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. This can lead to the fallopian tube becoming ruptured, making the pregnancy unsafe to continue.
If you experience symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, you must end the pregnancy immediately through medical care. Your doctor will intervene with medication or if that’s ineffective, surgery.
If your tubes are tied, watch for these signs of ectopic pregnancy:
Light vaginal bleeding
Abdominal pain
Pelvic pressure
Lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
Shoulder pain
How can I get pregnant if my tubes are tied?
If your tubes are tied, but you’ve decided you want to get pregnant, it is possible.
In fact, I’ve seen many of my JUJU mamas with their tubes tied finding themselves pregnant more and more. If your spirit baby is wanting to come through, trust they will find a way.
But it’s also important to understand that getting pregnant after having this procedure is difficult, especially if you are over 35. Your chances are not as high as they were before, and there is work that’ll need to be done.
If your tubes are tied and you want to become pregnant you have two options: tubal reversal surgery or IVF.
1. Tubal Reversal Surgery
The first option to consider when trying to conceive after tubal ligation is having a tubal reversal surgery (or tubal ligation reversal).
This option involves reattaching the fallopian tubes that were tied off or blocked during the initial procedure.
The likelihood that a tubal reversal procedure will be successful depends on your age, your partners sexual health, and your own reproductive health. The length of your fallopian tubes is also considered, as there needs to be enough left to reconnect them successfully.
Ultimately it’s up to you and your doctor to determine whether or not you're a good candidate for tubal ligation reversal. It’s typically not suggested if you’re over age 35, have a history of PCOS, or if your partner’s sperm count is low.
The benefits of choosing tubal reversal surgery are:
A 50-80% chance of becoming pregnant after the surgery (if you are a good candidate)
You can get pregnant naturally instead of taking medication
The risks of choosing tubal reversal surgery are:
It can take time to physically heal from the surgery
It’s not a good option if your partner’s sperm count is low
It’s not a good option if you are older, or had fertility issues in the past
You’ll need contraception (birth control) in the future when you decide to stop having children
It can be expensive
2. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
If tubal reversal surgery is not an option for you, but you still wish to conceive, your second option is IVF (or In Vitro Fertilization).
If you don’t know, IVF is where your egg and your partner’s sperm are combined in a lab instead of joining in the body. It’s a popular option for many women who struggle to become pregnant naturally.
The benefits of choosing IVF are:
You don’t having to undergo surgery
You’ll know within 10 days if the procedure was successful
It’s a good option if you’re a single woman or in a same sex partnership
The risks of choosing IVF are:
Some IVF programs are more effective than others, so you need to be selective about which program you choose
You have to take medications
Because multiple embryos are being transferred to the uterus, there’s a chance of multiple pregnancies taking place at once
IVF can be expensive, and the cost will increase after each failed attempt
Moving through spiritual and emotional blocks that come up
Whichever path you decide to take on your fertility journey, there will be spiritual work that comes up.
It’s important to understand and take responsibility for the role we play in our own fertility journey.
If you had your tubes tied, but are now working to become pregnant, you may experience feelings of regret, disappointment, anger, or blame. Feeling jealousy for other women can be a common experience as well.
These feelings are best not to be ignored, or they can create blocks around you becoming pregnant. During this time, it’s important to focus on feelings of patience, gratitude, forgiveness, and self love.
Accepting your journey is key to healing the spiritual blocks so you can let go and move on.
To help you move forward, I recommend using different spiritual tools to create a ritual that helps support your healing process. Practicing rituals will magnify your intentions and help bring your manifestations to you faster and easier.
If you have your tubes tied, but are still hoping to become pregnant, know there is a path forward. When considering which path to take, it’s important to consider your personal circumstances so you can make a decision that’s best for you.
Factors such as your age, plus you and your partner's reproductive health will play a role in how you’ll proceed. The most important thing is that you trust in yourself, and do the spiritual work required to accept, forgive, and heal.
If you’re ready to dive deeper into this work, my fertility JUJU courses are a great place to get started. My Badass Guide to Fertility and Fertility JUJU bundle will walk you through the physical AND spiritual side to becoming pregnant naturally. Learn the real secret to tracking your cycle, plus how to tap into your own JUJU to remove spiritual blocks preventing you from pregnancy.
You can learn more about my courses here.