Tubes Tied and Having Another one?

[scsigrl]

I was told that having a tubaligation increases your risk of having a tubal pg. If this is true, then would it not be advisable for you to have the dye test to check if your tubes are even open BEFORE attempting to have another baby? Because a) if they are still open, you would want to know ASAP if you are pg and b) if the tubes are closed....you would need to go the IVF route.

Am I thinking this through right?

TIA!

[Jane]

I'm confused - can you explain more?

[scsigrl]

If you had your tubes tied, and had a baby and want another one Does that help? Sorry I am sick and little one is cutting teeth! Not a good combo with on line activity (or life in general)

[Jane]

Maybe I understand. If you get pregnant after a tubal ligation, it's really important to check to see the location of the fetus because of the risk of tubal pregnancy. Sometimes the scar has a passage way that's big enough for a sperm to get through, but is in no way big enough for the egg to float down. Remember the biology class film that showed all the sperm wanting into the egg, and the difference in sizes? Also, the egg floats down on the current of the fallopean tubes, while the sperm has a tail for locomotion. If the egg can't get down after fertilization, the result is an ectopic pregnancy.

Some tubal methods are more likely to fail, some less likely. A single clip on each tube is more likely to fail than someone who had a clip on each end, the middle cut and then burned. A tubal done during a c-section on a 23 year old woman is more likely to fail than one done 5 years after baby on a 35 year old.
But, if the tubal had "failed" and the woman got pregnant with a uterine pregnancy, I'd assume it was failed on one side, at least. A dye test could help clear it out a little more, and tell how big the passage was.

[scsigrl]

Right. My question is this...

If you are going to actively TRY for another pregnancy after a failed tubal, would it not be in your best interest to do they dye test prior to TTC so you can see a) if the possibility even exists still and b)to see where you would be looking for a tubal pg. if the person were to become pg and c) if you would need an U/S sooner then most women once you get a BFP to be sure it isn't a tubal pg.

Thanks

[Jane]

Well, the dye test is slightly painful, and costs money. If you can live with those issues, the information would be useful.

However, if it were my client and she had any history of tube constriction, I'd offer her an ultrasound at 6 weeks or if there was any hint of pain, send her to the ER. The results of the dye test probably wouldn't influence that.

[scsigrl]

Great! Just the info I was wondeing.

The OB just said 'We'll let you try for a few months and if nothing, we'lll do the test." I was just wondering if that was typical in this case.

Thanks so much