Normal fertility
A very important issue to consider when assessing pregnancy rates from tubal reversal is that of normal fertility rates. When reading of extravagant claims made elsewhere on the internet about baby rates following tubal reversal it is important to be aware that the normal chance of a young couple (female age under 30 years) of successfully achieving a pregnancy within one year of starting to attempt to do so is 85%. For the average couple trying to achieve a pregnancy (female age >30 years) the chance of pregnancy is 80% in 1 year.
The single most important factor influencing pregnancy rates and take home baby rates following tubal reversal is your age. The older you are the lower the chance of successful pregnancy.
Patency rates
Technical success from this type of operation is excellent. Over 98% of women who undergo microsurgical tubal reversal will achieve open Fallopian Tubes.
Pregnancy rates
The most important factor influencing the pregnancy related success rate is your age. The older you are, the lower the chance of a successful pregnancy. This is due the declining number of normal eggs within your ovaries as you get older. In addition, increasing age also increases the chance of miscarriage and the possibility of having a baby with a genetic problem such as Down Syndrome.
The pregnancy rate also depends on the type of previous sterilisation procedure and the remaining length of fallopian tube and age. Tubal clips have the highest reversibility and diathermy the lowest. The pregnancy rates decrease with increasing age and also when there is less fallopian tube left to reanastomose. Pregnancy rates in the 12 months that follow the operation are as follows.
Less than 40 years of age
- Reversal of tubal clipping 80% to 90%
- Reversal of tubal cut and tie 65% to 75%
- Reversal of tubal diathermy 75% to 90%
Greater than 40 years of age
- Reversal of tubal clipping 40% to 45%
- Reversal of tubal cut and tie 35% to 40%
- Reversal of tubal diathermy 35% to 45%
Should pregnancy not occur by 12 months following the operation the chance of subsequent pregnancy falls considerably.. If sex fails to achieve a pregnancy all is not lost either intra-uterine insemination or In Vitro Fertilisation are likely to be of assistance.
Take home baby rates
It is wise to take into consideration that as a results of the occurrence of miscarriage that "take-home-baby" rates will be less than pregnancy rates. The most important factor influencing the chance of miscarriage is also female age - the older you are the higher the chance of miscarriage.