Tubal Reversal - Is It The Right Answer?

Often when a couple wants to have a child following a tubal ligation they will be told they should look into IVF or in vitro fertilization. But, the question is why are they told this? Couples ask if there is any other option and they are told not really other than adoption. This is not the case and many couples have used another option that is not as widely known about as IVF.

The procedure many couples are using is what is known as tubal reversal surgery. This surgery has been used by thousands of couples all over the world and the demand is growing. What tubal reversal is actually quite easy to understand. When the tubal ligation is performed the fallopian tubes are somehow blocked. The blockage can be performed by using clips, rings, cutting the fallopian tubes and even using a method where they are burned. What happens in tubal reversal surgery is that the surgeon literally repairs the fallopian tubes. Although the fallopian tubes will not be exactly the way before the tubal ligation they are returned to "working order". This then makes it possible for the egg and sperm to meet and result in conception. Tubal reversal surgery is a much more natural way to conceive and it is also a lot less expensive than the alternative treatment of IVF. The leading tubal reversal center located in the United States charges about $7000.

Tubal ligation reversal surgery is also much easier on the woman's body. There is the initial surgery but after the healing time all is complete. With IVF, there are multiple medications and procedures that have to be performed. Many women need to take time out of work over the course of the procedures. With tubal reversal surgery most are able to return to work within a couple of weeks.

There are a few factors that will need to be considered when researching the surgery. The first is the type of tubal ligation that was originally performed and the age of the woman at the time of reversal. If the fallopian tubes have not been completely damaged then reversal is certainly possible. As to the age of the woman it is quite clear that the older the woman is the harder it may be to become pregnant. As long as a woman is ovulating and having menstrual cycles regularly she is still considered to be fertile. There are many women in their 40's and over having children following reversal ligation surgery.

The experience of the surgeon should also be considered a big decision factor. The more experience the surgeon has the better the outcome of the repair. There are surgeons in the repair field that will not attempt to fix the ligations that have more damage. The surgeons with more experience have probably already performed this type of repair and have a better success rate. When looking for the right surgeon be sure to ask about their statistics. Do not be afraid to ask where there statistics come from. This is so crucial to picking the best surgeon to perform the surgery.