Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study 2009
Pregnancy Rates By Fallopian Tube Lengths
The fallopian tube lengths remaining after a tubal ligation procedure are important determinants of the chances of getting pregnant after tubal reversal surgery. (Normal fallopian tube length before a tubal ligation is approximately 10 cm or 4 inches.)
Tubal segment lengths are measured routinely during surgery at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. The average length of the two fallopian tubes after repair was correlated with the likelihood of pregnancy after tubal reversal (Table 6). Women with longer tubal lengths had higher pregnancy rates than women with shorter lengths following tubal reversal. Women with tubal lengths of 7.5 cm or longer had a pregnancy rate of 77%. The pregnancy rate declined as tubal length decreased, but even women with the shortest tubes (less than 2.5 cm) became pregnant (38%). Although previously unreported in the medical literature, it became apparent during this study that a repaired fallopian tube of any length can result in pregnancy. Based on reports by women with only 1 fallopian tube, we now know that tubal lengths as short as 1 cm can result in a normal pregnancy.
| Length | Total Women | Pregnant (No.) | Pregnant (%) |
| 7.5+ | 469 | 362 | 77% |
| 5.0-7.4 | 2826 | 1966 | 70% |
| 2.5-4.9 | 1602 | 920 | 57% |
| <2.5 | 112 | 42 | 38% |
Tubal Ligation Method And Tubal Length
When tubal ligation method and average tubal lengths are taken into account simultaneously, it becomes clear that the amount of fallopian tube remaining after a sterilization procedure is the more important factor predicting the chances of getting pregnant after tubal reversal surgery (Table 7). This makes sense, since the less damage that occurs to the fallopian tube during a sterilization procedure, the more remains to be able to function normally once the tube has been surgically repaired.
| Method | 7.5+ | 5.0-7.4 | 2.5-4.9 | <2.5 |
| Clip | 137/168 (82%) | 155/222 (70%) | 7/11 (64%) | - |
| Ring | 86/118 (73%) | 493/672 (73%) | 35/62 (57%) | - |
| Coagulation | 49/62 (79%) | 516/774 (69%) | 448/706 (64%) | 27/76 (36%) |
| Ligation/Resection | 72/92 (78%) | 723/1060 (68%) | 395/736 (54%) | 12/26 (46%) |
Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Study 2009
Table Of Contents:
- Overview
- Study Method
- Patient Population – US States
- Patient Population – Age and Tubal Ligation Procedures
- Pregnancy Rates by Age and Method
- Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Rates by Tubal Lengths (this page)
- Pregnancy Outcomes
- Tubal Reversal vs. IVF
- About Pregnancy Statistics
Pregnancy Outcomes After Tubal Reversal
September 7th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
[...]The study population consisted of 5,046 women who underwent tubal reversal surgery from July 2000 through June 2008 at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center – the only medical facility exclusively for tubal ligation reversal – located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. [...]
September 7th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I am having thoughts of having another baby in the future so i was wondering if I had my tubes tide for two years what are my chances of getting pregnant again?? If I was looking to get pregnant right after surgery could I get on birth control now?
September 7th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
HEATHER – You can see the chances of getting pregnant after tubal reversal at your current age and by the type of tubal ligation you had. It is not necessary or beneficial to take birth control pills.
September 15th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Since I had my tubes reversed 7 months ago I have had 1 positive pregnancy result. But sadly I miscarried 6-7 weeks into my pregnancy. I have been told that these things just happens and to just keep trying. I have done the ovulation kit, monitored my temperature, monitored my cycles in every way possible but still have not had a successful pregnancy. I am beginning to worry if I am going to be able to conceive again and will be able to carry another pregnancy given my history of having multiple miscarriages and having an incompetent cervix. My doctor has made an appointment to check my tubes and to see if they are still opened. Plus he plans to have my husband give a semen sample to be tested. Although we counted on it taking some time to conceive, we are beginning to think my past pregnancy history is going to be an issue. Should I be concerned?
September 15th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Having become pregnant after tubal reversal shows that your tubes are fine. Your history of repeated miscarriages can be due to various conditions (unrelated to your tubes) and this is where your doctor should focus in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Frequent causes of recurrent pregnancy loss are related to the immune system resulting in blood clotting in the developing placenta. There are a variety of tests for these conditions. I suggest you discuss with you doctor having tests for antiphospholipid antibodies, anticardiolipin antibody, Leiden Factor V, homocysteine, and other possible tests for thrombophilias. Having a diagnosis of incompetent cervix also means that this should be treated with a cervical cerclage toward the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. These factors associated with increased risks of miscarriage or premature delivery are not related to the condition of your fallopian tubes.
September 20th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I have a friend who had her tubes tied in 1980. How long does it last and what are the side effects of tubal ligation?
September 20th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
TYETTA – The side effects of tubal ligation are often called Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome. Your friends tubes will not become untied on their own.
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:11 am
In 2005 I had my tubes tied and now I’m regretting it. I desperately want another baby with my new husband who doesn’t have any kids. My question is what are my chances of getting pregnant if I were to get the tr done. Im 28 yrs old and I have 3 kids, all of which were by c-section, I dont know if that makes a difference. I know my tubes were cut and tied not burned. I work out everyday don’t smoke or drink and eat healthy, I hope my chances are good, please let me know, thanks to all God bless.
Amber
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:26 am
AMBER – Your chances of getting pregnant after tubal reversal are excellent. Our pregnancy statistics show that 8 out of 10 women in your ages group will become pregnant after having their tubes untied, regardless of the number of c-section deliveries they have had.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I had my tubes tied in 1994 when is was 18 and now I’m 33. I’m not sure what type of tubal I had. How can I find out what type of tubal I had? I think I was told they were burned, can they do that? If so, What are my chances of getting pregnant with a reversal? Thank you, Rachel
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
RACHEL – You can find out about the type of tubal ligation you had by obtaining a copy of your operative report. Our website page that has a Medical Records Release Form will enable you to obtain your tubal ligation operative report. When the fallopian tubes have been burned, we categorize this method of tubal ligation as “coagulation”. You can see the chances of getting pregnant after tubal reversal according to your age and method of tubal ligation by looking at the pregnancy statistics from Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
October 16th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I noticed that some women have been able to get pregnant with less then 2.5 length in the tubes. What is the deciding factor for the doctor to either continue with the surgery or to stop because they feel it wouldn’t be a good outcome? I look forward to when I can schedule my appointment, but was just wondering if it is worth it to pay more to have him “look” before proceeding? Thanks bunches- you all are awesome!!
October 16th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
MEGAN – The deciding factor about repairing short tubes seen at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy is whether the tubal lengths that remain are healthy or not. Screening laparoscopy is helpful in this regard.
October 19th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I had a tubal ligation done when i was 21 and I regret it. I’m now 31 and I have a child from my first husband. I’m married again and we would like to have kids together. I was told that i would always have a 50% chance of getting pregnant. I hope someone has some information on this. Thanks so much and best of luck to all. I hope all of your dreams come true.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:39 am
TONYA – We can help you and your husband have kids together. Contact one of the Tubal Reversal Nurses for a free telephone consultation at (919) 968-4656.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I had my tubal reversal done in March 2007. I only had one BFP last month that ended in a miscarriage. I am now 31 and I will be 32 in March. The pregnancy statistics show age does play a factor and I am just wondering do I have to worry about having a miscarriage every time I get pregnant now? I never had to worry about this issue before I had my tubes tied. And are women who have had tubes tied and then have a reversal more prone to have miscarriages.
November 10th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Taliah
Any woman who becomes pregnant will have to worry about pregnancy miscarriage. This is especially true after tubal reversal surgery because of two reasons: tubal length and age.
We are uncertain but woman who have tubal reversals do report miscarriages at a higher rate than women who have never had tubal ligation or tubal reversal. We are not sure if this is observer bias or a real occurrence. Some have speculated with shorter tubes the egg gets to the uterus faster with less time to mature. Although we do see many pregnancies in women with shorter tubes.
As a woman ages the miscarriage rate increases and this is a very clear observation. After tubal reversal women are older than there were when they previously attempted pregnancy. This may also explain the increase in pregnancy miscarriage.