Possible Pregnancy Symptoms After Tubal Ligation: What Could It Be?

Question
my last period was the 1st week of nov and i went though an ovalion period i think because of the mucas was stringy and had sex that night, now the issue is that my tubes are tied and i have been having these twiches in my vagina area deep within, extactly where my other children use to kick and my nipples were really really sure for about a week and now nothing. Still no period but no other signs, i have taken a pergenacy test but came back neg which isnt odd for me since both of my pervious pregancy test did the same, so i am wondering if i should go get a blood test, is there a good chance that i might be even though my tubes have been tied since dec 05. please help thanks

Answer
Dear Cheppette,

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.

In a 2004 study, researchers tested the accuracy of 18 HPTs sold in retail stores. They found that only one brand consistently detected the low levels of hCG usually present on the first day of the missed period. This was the 'First Response, Early Result Pregnancy Test'. The other tests missed up to 85% of pregnancies on the first day of the missed period. However, most tests accurately confirmed pregnancies one week after the missed period.

To be absolutely sure, you can go to your doctor's office and get a quantitative blood pregnancy test (serum beta hCG). That test will give an actual amount of hCG in the bloodstream rather than just a positive/negative result.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well and a Merry Christmas.

Brenda