Getting Pregnant With One Fallopian Tube

When a woman is ready to begin a family she normally wouldn’t give her fallopian tubes much thought. Females are born with them and pretty much take it for granted that they are in working order. But for those that have had tubal reversal surgery the fallopian tubes are a different story. These women have had surgery to have their tubes repaired and in some cases only one fallopian tube may be in working order.

So, when a woman has had this surgery and only has one fallopian tube she wonders if she will be able to conceive. And if she is able to conceive will it take a lot longer than her female counterparts with two working tubes. The answer will surprise many.

The fallopian tubes are where the fertilized egg travels through to get to the uterus to embed itself. Once the egg is in the uterus then the fertilized egg continues to grow and develop. With a tubal ligation the fallopian tubes are “blocked” so that the egg and sperm cannot unite. Those choosing to have more children after a tubal ligation will have to have tubal reversal surgery or IVF.

Having one fallopian tube does not mean a woman cannot become pregnant. What it may mean is that it may take a bit longer but not all of the time. The human body is a remarkable thing. Each month the ovaries release an egg. Many think that the fallopian tube on the same side as the ovary releasing the egg is the tube that catches the egg. This is not true. There are many women that have become pregnant when they have ovulated from the side where the blocked tubed was on. This means that the egg found its way across to the healthy open fallopian tube and began its travel. Because many women know what side they are ovulating from they think that because it is on the side with the blocked tube there is no chance. The human body is quite remarkable.

When a woman has a blocked tube she can still conceive and this has been proven time and again. Often, when a woman comes out of reversal surgery and hears that she only had one repairable tube the concern rise. Only after reading about so many others actually becoming pregnant does the hope return. There are many tubal reversal couples that go on to have multiple children.

For more information on tubal reversal and getting pregnant with one fallopian tube visit: http://www.tubal-reversal.net. 

Diagnosing Blocked Fallopian Tubes and Repair

The easiest type of fallopian tube blockage to diagnose is those tubes that have been blocked purposely. This is when a woman has chosen to have a tubal ligation or her “tubes tied” so that she cannot have any more children. The blockage can be diagnosed by the surgeon reading the tubal ligation operative report. Many women and couples who have decided to have a tubal ligation will regret the decision and want the fallopian tubes repaired rather than seek IVF. This type of surgery is called tubal ligation reversal and an expert tubal reversal surgeon is able to make the repair so that fertility can be restored.

Other reasons why the fallopian tubes may be blocked are a bit harder to diagnose. There are two ways that a doctor can look to see where the blockage is. The first is in the operating room where special instruments are used to find the exact blockage. The other method used is by having what is known as a hysterosalpingogram x-ray (HSG). A technician will be performing this test and the results will be sent to your physician. This test is performed by placing dye through the fallopian tubes in order to find the blockage. The dye will not flow past the point of the blockage.

If the fallopian tube is blocked at the very beginning of the fallopian tube it is known as a proximal tubal blockage. The most common cause of this is SIN (salpingitis isthmica nodosa). This is where there are little bulges inside the fallopian tubes. The surgeons are able to repair this type of blockage using a technique called tubouterine implantation.

The next type of blockage is known as tubal hydrosalpinx. This is where the end of the tube is closed or blocked and can be caused from a previous infection. Tubal reversal specialists are able to repair this type of blockage using a technique called ampullary salpingostomy.

The surgeons at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center specialize in the repair of blocked fallopian tubes. Many are under the impression that the only type of surgery that is performed at this Center is the tubal ligation reversal or “untie tubes”. The fact of the matter is because they have performed so many surgeries they are able to repair fallopian tubes that others surgeons did not want to attempt. Dr. Berger and Dr. Monteith are able to repair fallopian tubes in 99% of all cases.

Although couples are still able to have children after a diagnosis of blocked fallopian tubes using IVF or in vitro fertilization many do not want to go this route. Many will want to have more than one child and the cost of IVF is too expensive for them to afford. The Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Report 2009 provides evidence that tubal reversal surgery actually has a better pregnancy success rate over the alternative treatment of IVF. This in itself has helped many couples choose the best way to have a child following the diagnosis of blocked fallopian tubes.

For more information on the repair of blocked tubes the tubal reversal nurses can be contacted by calling 1-919-968-4656. Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center also has a very active tubal reversal message board.