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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can you get pregnant with one tube?

60 replies

ivfscared · 27/04/2022 14:41

Hi everyone,

I've recently stressed my fears on mumsnet that I'm likely to be unable to get pregnant naturally due to potential hydrosalpinx on one tube. Im pretty sure I am going to end up losing at least one of my tubes. I'm having a laparoscopy at some point to determine and hsg.

I also have endometriosis, but from what I've been told it is pointing to it being mild endo.

My question is.. can you get pregnant naturally with one Fallopian tube? I'm terrified that if I do manage to keep a tube that it will be so difficult to get pregnant naturally.

Thank you xx

OP posts:
whenwilliwillibefamous · 27/04/2022 14:47

A friend of mine did - lost one tube to an extopic pregnancy. Had a bouncing baby subsequently.
If you want reassurance, talk to the GP about relying on having only one fallopian tube for contraception - I imagine the alarm on their face will put your mind at rest!

TheCraicDealer · 27/04/2022 14:48

I lost a tube in September due to an ectopic. Took us a while to conceive again, but I’m now 6w pregnant. During my early scan at the EPU last week (to check it was in the right place this time) they confirmed that I had ovulated from the ovary on the side where I’d lost the tube. Your remaining tube can float between the two ovaries.

Good luck!

whenwilliwillibefamous · 27/04/2022 14:48

*ectopic. Bloody spell correct!!

Cantbebotheredwithausername · 27/04/2022 14:52

Yes, you can. If you lose one tube completely, the other will simply take over, and your chance of a healthy pregnancy will only be very slighly diminished, and definitely very possible. Good luck.

ricepolo · 27/04/2022 14:52

I lost an ovary and a tube to cancer after DC1. DC’s 2, 3 and 4 followed with no issues whatsoever.

Cantnamechange · 27/04/2022 14:55

Yes you can I lost a tube with an ectopic and now have a 5year old ds.

Original poster
ivfscared · 27/04/2022 14:58

Wow ok, that's shut me up!!

Even though I have endometriosis is this likely to cause issues?

I have been told if I do get pregnant naturally whilst having the hydrosalpinx tube I'm at a high risk of it being ectopic regardless.

OP posts:
SareBear87 · 27/04/2022 15:02

Yep my best friend lost hers due an ectopic and she has a healthy bouncy 5mth baby!

Apparently if you lose one, the other takes over more. Not sure if it's scientific fact but she didn't have any issues!

Mild endo shouldn't worry you either, there's plenty of success stories of ladies with severe endo conceiving ☺️

JamesMartinsWaistcoat · 27/04/2022 15:05

Hi OP,

I had a tube removed due to hydrosalpinx. I also have stage 4 endo.

I have two children, both conceived naturally (one pre-tube removal, the second with one remaining healthy tube) however I will stress it wasn't an easy 'journey'. This doesn't mean it won't be straightforward for you, though.

Original poster
ivfscared · 27/04/2022 15:16

@JamesMartinsWaistcoat

Thank you so so much for replying!! I'm struggling to find anybody who has had hydrosalpinx.

My endo hasn't been given a stage yet, I had an mri which discovered it. Do you have a lot of pain from your endo? I have next to nothing.

Thank you xxx

OP posts:
AmyDudley · 27/04/2022 15:52

I had a tube removed due to an ectopic. My next pregnancy ended at 20 weeks as there was no heartbeat. I then went on to have a healthy baby (who is now 32 !) This was obviously over 30 years ago, and I was told at the time it would be difficult for me to get pregnant after my ectopic, but I think things have very much moved on from then and as PPs have said it is perfectly possible to get pregnant with only one tube.
If you do become pregnant (and I hope very much that you are able to) please do insist on early scans as you are at risk from ectopic, mine was caught rather late - and I was pretty unwell. Also if they catch it very early they can sometimes save the tube.

poorbuthappy · 27/04/2022 15:54

Lost tube and ovary due to an aggressive cyst.
Had twins 4 years later (not trying for 4 years, actively tried for 6 months)

Original poster
ivfscared · 27/04/2022 16:18

@AmyDudley

Thank you so much for your advice, I'm thrilled you went on to have a baby!
My gyno has told me if I do get pregnant I must go for scans from 6 weeks to check if ectopic (which absolutely petrified me!) x

OP posts:
ambereeree · 27/04/2022 17:02

I had an ectopic pregnancy and the tube was removed. I went on to have dc1, a miscarriage and then dc2. Easy to get pregnant every time.

TheGoogleMum · 27/04/2022 17:21

Many years (65?) ago my nan had a tube or ovary removed (unsure of details). She was told if she had children she would only be able to have 1 sex because at the time they believed boys came from one and girls the other! She ended up having a boy and a girl which was a surprise for them. My nan is no longer with us but my mum told me this recently and I thought it was interesting.

HotDogKetchup · 27/04/2022 17:23

My 9 month old says yes. He was conceived on my second month of trying with my one tube. When I had my tube removed I was told it doesn’t affect fertility all that much.

Original poster
ivfscared · 27/04/2022 17:27

This is relieving me so much, thank you.

I am hoping I will only have to lose one tube and not both. I've only been informed about one so I'm really really hoping the other is ok!

OP posts:
Original poster
ivfscared · 27/04/2022 17:31

On a side note - I can't believe unfortunately how common ectopics are! I'm so uneducated ☹️

OP posts:
GodspeedJune · 27/04/2022 17:40

Hi OP, are you TTC at the moment?

Regarding your MRI, who told you the endometriosis is mild? Don’t panic, but often superficial endo can’t be seen on MRI and it’s the deeper types that show up. If you have deep infiltrating endo then you’re entitled to see a specialist rather than just a general gynae.

Its worth losing the tube that has fluid inside as this can affect pregnancy. I believe PPs are correct in that the remaining tube can pick up the slack.

Aboutcoffee · 27/04/2022 17:44

@TheGoogleMum

My mum was told the same after she had an ectopic!! She went on to have 3 boys which seemed to prove them right and then me a girl.

zazasabore · 27/04/2022 17:51

Defo - had 2 then an ectopic - had tube and ovary removed, had 5 more children.

bogoblin · 27/04/2022 17:55

Yep, lost an ovary and tube to cancer and have gone one to have two naturally conceived children. Well, one isn't born just yet!

AmyDudley · 27/04/2022 17:55

It is actually surprising how common they are (about 1 in 80 I believe) but I have to say I have never met anyone else who has had one in the last 30+years since I had mine (although obviously many people on this site have had them) perhaps people don't talk about it ?
It's good your gynae is advocating for early scans, it sounds as if they will take good care of you during a pregnancy. I hope all goes well for you 🙂And sending sympathy for your endo. My sister has quite severe endo and I know it is a very painful condition. But she has two lovely (now grown up)girls despite the endo which I hope is encouraging for you x

Original poster
ivfscared · 27/04/2022 17:56

@GodspeedJune

Yes we have been ttc a few months.

My surgeon told me I have small lesions of endometriosis :( some is in my bowel and pod too.

Is superficial endo bad??

What does this all mean? Xx

OP posts:
Oneforposy7 · 27/04/2022 17:56

I lost a tube to an ectopic. Also have endo and currently 23 weeks pregnant. It took a while but it finally happened.