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Original poster

Has anyone had tubal ligation and got pregnant?

30 replies

TeddyisMydog · 11/02/2022 10:47

11 weeks ago I gave birth and had tubal ligation at the same time (planned c section and my tubes were tied)

I've not been feeling right (negative covid test) realised I hadn't had a period either so I grabbed some tests (first response brand) all 4 of them are positive.
Rang GP who got me in this morning, their test was also positive.

They've referred me to gynaecology for an early pregnancy termination Sad and told me I should consider the coil.

I'm freaking out big time, the stress is indescribable.
I don't know how I've been so unlucky Sad

OP posts:
bottleofbeer · 11/02/2022 11:15

Tubal ligation is apparently more likely to fail when done with a c section (I did the same). All of the healing going on can cause the tubes to heal as well but it could also be ectopic so you need to get scanned ASAP to rule that out.

Someone may come along and call BS on this but it was precisely because I was told this at the time that my husband also got a vasectomy.

Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 11/02/2022 12:17

@bottleofbeer

Tubal ligation is apparently more likely to fail when done with a c section (I did the same). All of the healing going on can cause the tubes to heal as well but it could also be ectopic so you need to get scanned ASAP to rule that out.

Someone may come along and call BS on this but it was precisely because I was told this at the time that my husband also got a vasectomy.

Thank you, I did know there was a failure risk but I never thought I would be so un lucky GP didn't seem concerned at all, just referred me to gynaecology
OP posts:
bottleofbeer · 11/02/2022 12:54

Do you know what method of sterilisation they used? Clips? Cauterisation? Tbh I have absolutely no idea how they did mine. A clip may have come loose or the tubes healed back together. I'm sure they will scan you before they do anything else to check where the embryo actually is.

I'm so sorry this happened to you x

bottleofbeer · 11/02/2022 13:05

I've had a little read and can find nothing which suggests a higher failure rate if done during c section (yer I specifically remember my consultant saying there was an increased risk so, who knows?) It looks like the most likely explanation is that you ovulated before the tubes had fully healed (read: closed up) and one has got through.

So, if it's any reassurance at all, it doesn't mean the tubal has actually failed as such, you basically had sex a bit too early before they fully sealed up.

minniep · 11/02/2022 13:12

It must have come as an awful shock to you OP. No advice at all but I can't even imagine how difficult it must be for you to get your head around this. I had my tubes removed during my last c section so I can only imagine your shock. I know here they remove the whole tube so not likely to have the tubes come back together.

iloverock · 11/02/2022 13:14

I was told that if I did get pregnant following sterilisation I needed to be seen for a scan immediately.

Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 11/02/2022 13:32

Thank you for all of your comments, I don't have anyone in real life to talk this over
Gynaecology phoned me, they booked me in for a phone consultation for an early pregnancy termination on the flipping 1st of March. They also didn't seem concerned either Sad I feel ridiculously stressed, like I've got the weight of the world on my shoulders and no HCP seems bothered (probably unfair) but I just don't know wtf I'm supposed to do Sad

OP posts:
bottleofbeer · 11/02/2022 13:47

No, this isn't right. You need a scan ASAP. The chances it is ectopic are much higher than they would have been without the TL.

Any pain or discomfort in your lower abdomen or shoulder and get to A&E.

Darkstar4855 · 11/02/2022 13:52

@bottleofbeer

Do you know what method of sterilisation they used? Clips? Cauterisation? Tbh I have absolutely no idea how they did mine. A clip may have come loose or the tubes healed back together. I'm sure they will scan you before they do anything else to check where the embryo actually is.

I'm so sorry this happened to you x

OP said she had a tubal ligation, where the tubes are cut and tied off.
bottleofbeer · 11/02/2022 14:25

I'm aware of that Darkstar, but I've heard the phrase used with both methods. A clip coming away is less risky in terms of ectopic pregnancy than the cutting or cauterisation failing so it could be important to know which method was used.

Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 11/02/2022 15:12

Sorry my tubes were tied, that's as much as I know. I did beg them to remove everything down there 😂🙈 but they weren't keen 🤣 but I was very happy to never experience a pregnancy again

OP posts:
cookiemon666 · 11/02/2022 19:09

I got pregnant with my youngest son when I was sterilised at the same time as a c section. He is now 14

Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 11/02/2022 19:50

@cookiemon666

I got pregnant with my youngest son when I was sterilised at the same time as a c section. He is now 14
I have older children as well so it's not very likely I can continue 😢
OP posts:
EverydayIsPJday · 11/02/2022 20:01

Jesus op this is terrible. I hope they treat you properly and scan you. Are you feeling OK physically?

I am pregnant now and only said to DH last night I want to be tied when they perform my c section. Now I'm terrified too.

Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 12/02/2022 07:05

@EverydayIsPJday

Jesus op this is terrible. I hope they treat you properly and scan you. Are you feeling OK physically?

I am pregnant now and only said to DH last night I want to be tied when they perform my c section. Now I'm terrified too.

Thank you🥺 to be honest my mental health wasn't exactly the best after just having had another baby. I had left over placenta and had to get it removed and spend a night in hospital, they wouldn't allow my baby with me due to covid (despite the fact I gave birth to her and spent 4 nights with her on the ward 🤦‍♀️) So I was only really just getting over the birth and everything that went on after.

I was told I wouldn't need extra contraception as it should work instantly 😒 but as others have said there is a risk that when you're insides are healing, the tubes heal themselves.
I was told this so I wasn't unaware but I think it's like 1.5% chance of that happening Sad

And the only reason I had them tied is because my partners GP refused him the snip as he was too young 😒 the GP suggested that once I have the termination I get the coil Shock but the reason I got sterilised was because I didn't want contraception!

I didn't really know what happens if I was to get pregnant again, by the looks of it.. Not a lot. I feel like everyone is just shrugging their shoulders saying oh well but I feel traumatised. I don't want a termination. I don't want any of this. I just want to snuggle my newborn and hide and I'm not sure I'll ever get over this

OP posts:
bottleofbeer · 12/02/2022 07:56

This is terrible treatment. They only sterilised me because I had four sections (I'd turned 27 the week before she was born) or they'd never have done it. As I said, the paranoia of a failure made me ask my husband to get a vasectomy, he was 28 and his doctor had no issues with that whatsoever as we had four children.

In your situation I'd definitely be getting your other half to push for it. You've had a section in recent weeks, retained placenta, a tubal failure now you're facing an abortion and a coil despite the fact you were sterilised for a reason, and took very assertive steps (permanent sterility fgs!!!) to ensure no more pregnancies. Your body has been through enough.

I would be baffled if no doctor would agree that it's best for your husband to get a vasectomy now. Yeah, let women's bodies and emotions go through hell as long as we don't sterilise men in a procedure that is MUCH less invasive and takes a few minutes.

I'm so sorry you're going through this x

cultkid · 12/02/2022 08:02

Complain to PALs and NHS England you need a scan ASAP and access to counselling

How terrible for you, I'm so sorry. It's also worrying to be pregnant so soon after a c section.

Sending you so much love

At least can the GP do bloods repeating them every 48 hours to guess if it's an eptopic pregnancy ?

Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 12/02/2022 08:03

@bottleofbeer

This is terrible treatment. They only sterilised me because I had four sections (I'd turned 27 the week before she was born) or they'd never have done it. As I said, the paranoia of a failure made me ask my husband to get a vasectomy, he was 28 and his doctor had no issues with that whatsoever as we had four children.

In your situation I'd definitely be getting your other half to push for it. You've had a section in recent weeks, retained placenta, a tubal failure now you're facing an abortion and a coil despite the fact you were sterilised for a reason, and took very assertive steps (permanent sterility fgs!!!) to ensure no more pregnancies. Your body has been through enough.

I would be baffled if no doctor would agree that it's best for your husband to get a vasectomy now. Yeah, let women's bodies and emotions go through hell as long as we don't sterilise men in a procedure that is MUCH less invasive and takes a few minutes.

I'm so sorry you're going through this x

Thank you We are both 28, it was only last year he tried to get one and was told no he is still too young (4th baby wasn't conceived at this point) But he says he is going to try again on Monday and keep phoning until they help, we cannot go on like this. I used to joke that him just looking at me made me pregnant but it's no longer funny Sad The recovery wasn't pleasant either and now I've just potentially done it for nothing Sad

I feel so sad and numb at the same time. Doesn't even feel like it's happening to me, I have never been in this position to have an un planned pregnancy so I feel as though my world has exploded

And obviously there is no way to pin point when I become pregnant so I could be 8/9/10 weeks by the time I actually get a face to face appointment and now it's me that has to live with going through this, I am so so shocked Sad x

OP posts:
Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 12/02/2022 08:09

@cultkid

Complain to PALs and NHS England you need a scan ASAP and access to counselling

How terrible for you, I'm so sorry. It's also worrying to be pregnant so soon after a c section.

Sending you so much love

At least can the GP do bloods repeating them every 48 hours to guess if it's an eptopic pregnancy ?

I don't want to complain, I don't want to push in front of others who have waited for a longer appointment, I just want someone to care Sad I don't have much in the way of family and certainly the only person I do have would judge me harshly for even having sex so soon so I can't turn to anyone else. I thought a HCP would care but I know everything and everyone is stretched so thin atm

I did mention the ectopic risk when gynaecology phoned me but they were quite surprised and said that doesn't happen.
I haven't seen the midwife's or my consultant since baby was 14 days old so I don't know who to turn to.

GP said the consultant may organise for me to have a procedure where they look into my body to see if the sterilisation actually worked but he said "honestly because of covid it is probably unlikely you'll ever hear anything else" Sad

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 12/02/2022 09:05

@bottleofbeer

Tubal ligation is apparently more likely to fail when done with a c section (I did the same). All of the healing going on can cause the tubes to heal as well but it could also be ectopic so you need to get scanned ASAP to rule that out.

Someone may come along and call BS on this but it was precisely because I was told this at the time that my husband also got a vasectomy.

Was going to say this.

Highly possible you are pregnant.

Its why its decouraged to do a 'job lot' during a csection.

I looked into it some years ago before having DS because i considered having it done when i had a cs.

cultkid · 12/02/2022 16:21

There is NO shame in having sex

Sending you so much love xxx

MrsPear · 12/02/2022 16:36

I did. The surgeon clamped a ligament instead of tube. I had a very close shave with an ectopic. I then had the other tube taken out as well.

Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 12/02/2022 18:42

@MrsPear

I did. The surgeon clamped a ligament instead of tube. I had a very close shave with an ectopic. I then had the other tube taken out as well.
😨😨 This sounds so so bad 😓 I'm so sorry for you I was only aware of them tying the tube, not using clamps or anything like that x
OP posts:
Pinkdelight3 · 13/02/2022 08:48

So sorry you're going through this. Re. the snip, your DP doesn't need to go via your GP. My DP had it done at Marie Stopes and it was all v straightforward. It's less than £500 either there or at other clinics and is worth it for the peace of mind and absence of continued contraception aggro for women.

Original poster
TeddyisMydog · 13/02/2022 09:23

@Pinkdelight3

So sorry you're going through this. Re. the snip, your DP doesn't need to go via your GP. My DP had it done at Marie Stopes and it was all v straightforward. It's less than £500 either there or at other clinics and is worth it for the peace of mind and absence of continued contraception aggro for women.
Thank you, I do appreciate that but unfortunately we don't have the luxury to save that much money. Something always happens and we end up needing to dip into savings. It would take the best part of a year for us to save that amount (I know it's not a great deal to some but it is a lot of money for us) Will see what they have to say tomorrow and if they still refuse we will obviously just have to save as hard as possible
OP posts:
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