Pregnancy Symptoms After Tubal Ligation: What Could It Be?

Question
I am 36 years old I had my tubes tied,cut and burned 8 1/2 years ago.In Nov 6 I had symptoms of pregnancy morning sickness,smells, and having cravings to food. I had 3 pregnancy test and blood work done they came back neg also two ultrasounds they did not see no baby. I feel movement like a water pocket move while I am relax and during the night.I also feel streching,I have periods but they just last for two days.I am also retaining water.  I am also gaining weight and I look like I'm pregnant. I don't know what else can be wrong. So would you please help me out.
Thank you.

Answer
Dear Melissa,

Obviously, it is impossible from this forum to determine what might be causing your symptoms. But I can give you some information on tubal ligation failure. Occasionally a woman can still get pregnant, despite having had her tubes tied properly. The tubes can evolve in such a way as to try to heal themselves, and sometimes a tract develops that allows egg and sperm to meet. However, tubal ligation, regardless of whether the tubes are cut, burned, clipped, banded, or tied, is about 99% effective, meaning that about 1% of women will conceive an unplanned pregnancy after tubal ligation. This failure occurs slightly more frequently in younger women.

Symptoms which are typically associated with early pregnancy (breast tenderness/swelling, headache, nausea, fatigue, backache, etc,...) are basically hormonally related and can also be related to hormone fluctuations within our cycles. That is why it is so difficult to "diagnose" a pregnancy based on symptoms alone.

The testing you had would have been pretty conclusive to rule out a pregnancy. But if the symptoms are still bothering you, you should return to your doctor or seek another doctor's opinion as to what might be going on.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question  - at least to a certain degree. I wish you well.

Brenda