Pregnancy After Tubal Ligation: Understanding the Possibility

Question
I had a laparoscopic insertion of filshie clips, bilateral tubal sterilization and i missed my period so i took two  first response pregnacy test that proved positive both times. I just wanted to know what was the possibility of me being pregnant.

Answer
Dear Tamika,

Although rare, tubal ligation failures do happen. Occasionally a woman still gets pregnant, despite having had her tubes tied properly. The tubes evolve in such a way as to try to heal themselves, and sometimes a tract develops that allows egg and sperm to meet.

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.

I recommend that you go in for a blood pregnancy test to confirm that a pregnancy does exist.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda