My elder sister – Giana- struggled with getting a suitable birth control method for years. After getting her first two boys, she got a demanding job and had to postpone having more babies. When she thought it all clear, she conceived again! The second born was barely one year old!
Right after delivery, she followed her gynecologists’ advice and had a permanent option –tubal ligation- involving tying, cutting and blocking fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization.
Fast forward, she got into her second marriage. They are planning for two more babies – hopefully, twins. Giana’s gynecologists’ performed medical tests, and she got a tubal reversal. He surgically untied her previously cut fallopian tubes and gave her a chance to get pregnant again.
While research shows a commendable pregnancy success rate after tubal reversal, is it possible to have multiple pregnancies?
Like Giana, you could be wondering if there are any chances of twins after tubal reversal. Is there any such possibility?
Chances of Twins After Tubal Reversal – What’s the Probability?
After your doctor successfully reverses the tubal ligation, you can now try getting pregnant. There’s a 50-80% possibility of you conceiving, but are there chances of twins after tube reversal? Unlike IVF, very few women get twins or triplets after surgery. In fact, according to Tubal reversal, the chances of conceiving and delivering twins are less than 1%.
On the other hand, you stand a good chance of having a healthy baby if you’re 35 years or below. Additionally, your partner’s sexual health is a significant factor determining the single pregnancy success rate after tubal reversal.
What is Tubal Reversal?
As the name suggests, tubal reversal is the short form of tubal ligation reversal. If you had your tubes tied or cut as a family planning method, and for personal reasons, you’d like to change your mind, a professional gynecologist may help. He conducts medical tests to weigh whether your tubes can be untied/reconnected or not.
If results show you are in the suitable age group with a high chance of conceiving, he’ll perform surgery to restore your fallopian tubes. After the tubal reversal, the tubes create a clear pathway and allow you to get pregnant naturally.
Why is There a Low Chance of Twins After Tubal Reversal?
First, getting a set of babies isn’t for everyone. Don’t be disappointed if your dream of having doubles isn’t actualizing. The following factors determine the chances of having twins after tubal reversal.
1. Your age- pregnancy success rate after tubal reversal depends on your age. The Tubal Reversal 2011 report found the success rate to be 75% among women between 30-34 years, 65% for ages 35-39, and 34% for ladies 40 years and above.
However, Mayo Clinic describes women of advanced age –upper 30s and 40s- as standing a higher chance of twins than younger women.
2. Race & History- Race and previous pregnancy history also determine if you get twins or not after tube reversal. Research shows the probability of black women having twins is higher than in other races.
3. Genetics- if you or your partner come from a family with a history of twins, you may be lucky to get multiples too.
Can Your Diet Improve Your Chances of Having Twins?
Yes. To boost your chances of twinning after tubal reversal, mind your diet. The following teaks could help:
- Keep off dairy products
- Adopt a vegan diet
- Add some yams to your menu as they contain the Phytoestrogen hormone responsible for multiple ovulation
- Cut your alcohol/caffeine intake
- Consult your doctor about supplements and vitamins.
Remember that ectopic pregnancy is a significant concern among patients undergoing a tubal reversal. Much as you fancy twins, it may not be safe for you.
On the contrary, having multiple births is a significant risk when using assisted reproductive technology like IVF. Reproductive facts explain increased multiple births resulting from infertility treatments.
Is Tubal Reversal Painful?
No. You’ll not feel any pain while undergoing a tubal reversal. After booking, your doctor administers anesthesia medicine to manage any pain during surgery. However, you may develop some soreness and pain as the anesthesia wears off.
Wrapping Up
Tubal ligation may offer a lasting solution to taking family control pills or having hormonal injectables or inserts. But what happens if you undergo tubal ligation, then accidentally lose a child and would want to conceive again?
The good news is your doctor can conduct a tubal reversal to untie and restore your fallopian tubes – and you can get pregnant again!
However, can you have twins? Are there any chances of having twins after tubal reversal? The answer is yes and no. Unlike single births accounting for an 80% success rate, twin pregnancies/deliveries make 1% or lower of all successful cases.
Conversely, IVF treatment provides a 33% success rate on twins. Since not all women qualify for tubal reversal, your doctor will advise on options such as IVF for healthy twins.
Use of supplements, a controlled diet and avoiding cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine may boost your chance of getting twins. Either way, be open-minded in pursuing doubles/ multiples after tube reversal.
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