Is IVF possible after TL?

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2005

and didn't see that it was OB/GYN related. This goes to show how different areas interpret abreviations......I thought you were asking if you could give IV fluids after a Triple Lumen catheter was placed....of course you can after you have verified placement! Now for your version, I can't help you!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2005

Okay, so you have two choices - IVF or reversal of the tubal. I'm not sure if either will be covered by insurance, because as you said, it's not a fertility problem. You don't have to have the tubal reversed to do IVF, I believe, because they're going to do the egg extraction from around your ovaries anyways, but I could be wrong. The other thing is, never assume that it will work the first time. Your fertility could have changed over the past four years. So if you're going to do this, please realize that it's not a sure thing at all. There is also the risk of multples, so you're going to have to limit the number of embryos they put in, and even then, IVF embryos like to split sometimes into identical twins.

I can't see a reversal being 17K though. They can do it with scopes now, I believe, and as an outpatient procedure. Check around some more, because I think this actually should be the cheaper option if you're paying out of pocket. It'll also save you from enduring all of the medication that comes along with IVF, and if the reversal works, you can always have another baby later without another procedure.

debRN0417 · Mar 20, 2005

I had a tubal ligation in 1986. In 1998 I delivered a healthy 6 lb 15oz boy after a successful IVF procedure. I had the procedure twice before it was successful, but I had an undiagnosed thyroid problem the first time. After getting this straightened out, the procedure was a success. The medications are very expensive, but depending on the service that you use, some are billed through the physicians office and can be covered by insurance. Check with your insurance provider. Of course, my procedure was 6 years ago and times as well as prices have changed, but my out of pocket cost was around 4k. My insurance paid for all office visits, ultrasounds, and labs and part of my medications. I had to pay out of pocket for the actual retrevial, culturing/fertilization and implantation. My insurance then picked up all costs for a normal pregnancy and delivery. If you are planning to do this, Good Luck. Things have changed dramatically, as I understand in this field and the procedure is much more precise now. My son is 6 years old and healthy/normal/active/rambuncious/typical 6 year old meaness :) If I had been younger when I started I would have done it again. I was 38 at the time, not that 38 is too old, but that was a personal decision. I chose the IVF over reversal because I did not want to go thru major surgery, and because my tubal had been 12 years prior, I was told that the success rate was minimal, as I had two clips on each tube and the fear was that there would not be enough tube left to be able to reattach when the scar tissue was removed. Aslo, I did not want to have to worry about "doing it again" at some point and time in my life. Again, Good Luck!

babyktchr, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2005

and didn't see that it was OB/GYN related. This goes to show how different areas interpret abreviations......I thought you were asking if you could give IV fluids after a Triple Lumen catheter was placed....of course you can after you have verified placement! Now for your version, I can't help you!

That just cracks me up!!! I had to look at it twice myself and figure it out.

BeachNurse · Mar 20, 2005

Hi, I have a question, it somehow seems to me that I should know this.. but it escapes me... can a woman who had a tubal ligation get pregnant by IVF? I know some docs can reverse the procedure, but one price I heard was 17k. I heard that IVF runs around 10k per procedure, and since its not a true fertility issue, it would work the first time?
Thanks for any advice....:) ( I swear I was sure when i decided.....but I regretted it the minute I left the hospital with my son 4 yrs ago:crying2: )

I used to work for a large infertility practice while in nursing school. I think that 10K is on the low side for IVF. You have to factor in the cost of medications, tests, etc. And if you don't have a fertility problem, it doesn't make sense to go through all that. I think that trying the TL reversal first is your best bet.