Women who have their tubes tied believe they won’t want more children. Many find after some time passes that they’d like to have the procedure reversed so they can try to get pregnant. If you’re considering a tubal ligation reversal, you probably have a lot of questions such as “How is a tubal ligation reversal done?”  At the Center for Reproductive Health, expert microsurgical techniques are used in a state-of-the-art facility to reverse all types of tubal ligations. 

Determining if You’re a Good Candidate

Before having the procedure, your doctor evaluates whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure. One of the most important considerations is your age since women over 40 may not have good egg quality. The health of your partner’s sperm is considered as well as the type of tubal ligation that was done, how much healthy tube remains and whether you have other problems that may make getting pregnant difficult such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis.

Surgical Procedure

A tubal ligation reversal is an outpatient procedure that usually takes a couple of hours. You should be able to go home the same day. General anesthesia is administered so you’ll be asleep during the procedure. A minilaparotomy is done, which means an incision is made just below the pubic hair line and above the pubic bone so that your surgeon can access your fallopian tubes. Special magnifying glasses are used to allow the surgeon to clearly visualize the tubes.

Microsurgical techniques are used to remove the damaged portion of your fallopian tubes along with any clips or bands that may have been used to block the tubes and the blocked ends of each tube is opened carefully. Once the damaged segments have been removed, the open ends of the tubes can be reattached using tiny sutures in the middle layer of each tube. This is done to prevent the formation of scar tissue on either the inside or outside of the tube. Sterile dye is run through the tubes to make sure the reattachment has been successful.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Another approach to tubal ligation reversal is done by using a robotically assisted laparoscopic technique. Using this approach, a fiber optic camera is inserted through a tiny incision to allow the surgeon to view the tubes. The surgeon is able to get a three dimensional view of the area and can instruct the robot in performing the tubal reversal. The use of a robot provides stability and prevents any shaking of the hands, and the fiber optic camera provides an enhanced view.

Once the tubes have been reattached, incisions are closed using dissolvable sutures. A bandage is placed over the surgery site. You remain in recovery for an hour or more and then you’ll be able to go home.

Your surgeon provides clear instructions on what to expect during the recovery period. You may have to avoid sex and heavy lifting for a few days, and you may be able to conceive in a year or two after surgery. To find out whether a tubal ligation reversal is a good option for you, reach out to the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health. 

Tubal reversal is a procedure that’s done to reverse a tubal ligation, which is usually done as a permanent birth control method. Women sometimes change their minds after having their tubes tied and decide they want to have a baby. Fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health can answer your questions about tubal reversal. One of the most commonly asked questions is “How soon can you have intercourse after tubal reversal?”

What to Expect After Tubal Reversal

A tubal reversal is usually done as an outpatient procedure. At the Center for Reproductive Health, the procedure usually lasts one to two hours, and the average time spent in the recovery room after surgery is around an hour.

Each woman is different, and your surgeon provides instructions on how soon you can resume normal activities. There may be some discomfort the first week and your doctor may prescribe pain medication to help control the pain for the first few days. It’s important to rest as much as possible during the first two or three days after surgery.

In most cases, women are able to resume some of their ordinary daily activities within a week after surgery. It’s usually recommended that you wait at least two to three weeks after surgery before resuming intercourse. Some women prefer to wait a month or longer because they’re experiencing reduced energy levels.

When Can I Try to Get Pregnant After Tubal Reversal?

Your doctor provides detailed instructions about resuming intercourse and about how long you should wait before trying to conceive. Women are usually advised to wait at least two menstrual cycles after surgery before trying to get pregnant.

Women who undergo tubal reversal have approximately 50 to 80 percent chance of attaining pregnancy. The younger you are, the better your chances of attaining pregnancy without additional fertility treatments. The chance of successfully attaining pregnancy after tubal reversal if you’re over 40 is around 30 to 40 percent.

There are many factors to consider before you decide to have a tubal reversal. Your age and the likelihood that you’ll be able to conceive are among the most important factors your doctor will consider when deciding if you’re a good candidate for a tubal reversal. Your doctor also evaluates the type of surgery that was done and how much healthy tubing is left that can be reconnected. Your partner’s sperm quantity and quality is also evaluated.

What Other Options Do I Have?

If you’re not considered a good candidate for tubal reversal, that doesn’t mean there’s no hope of conceiving a child. In vitro fertilization may be a better option for you if there’s a problem with your partner’s sperm or you’re over 40 or you have any condition that contributes to infertility such as pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids or endometriosis.

The team at the Center for Reproductive Health provides compassionate support to couples struggling with infertility. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you have about tubal reversal or other forms of infertility treatment. Schedule a consultation today.

A tubal ligation prevents pregnancy by blocking or sealing the fallopian tubes so that eggs can’t pass through them. It’s intended to be a permanent form of birth control, but some women find that they want to try to conceive even though they previously had their tubes tied.

If you had a tubal ligation but decide you want to have the procedure reversed, this may be possible by having tubal reversal surgery. In this procedure, which is also called tubal reanastomosis, the blocked segments of the fallopian tubes are rejoined to allow eggs to pass through. If you’re considering this procedure, it’s natural to want to know what to expect after tubal reversal surgery.

Before the Procedure

Before the procedure is done, your doctor determines if you have a good chance of getting pregnant if the procedure is reversed. Several different factors are considered such as your age, your body mass index (BMI) and whether there are any problems that might cause infertility such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. The type of tubal ligation that was done is also considered along with whether there’s enough healthy fallopian tube segments left to successfully reconnect. The health of your partner’s sperm is also considered,

The Procedure

This type of surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes about two to three hours. The blocked ends of the fallopian tubes are opened and reconnected. Dye is run through the tubes to confirm that the tubes are open. You’ll stay in the hospital for an hour or two after surgery and then you’ll be able to go home. You may have some discomfort at the incision site and you may have to rest for a week or two after surgery before returning to work.

Pregnancy After Tubal Reversal

Talk to your doctor about how soon you can start trying to get pregnant again after the incision has healed. Some women are able to conceive within a few months after surgery while others may take a year or more. There’s no guarantee that having a tubal reversal will result in a successful pregnancy, but women under the age of 35 have between 50 and 80 percent chance of becoming pregnant within the first two years after this type of surgery.  Your chance of getting pregnant decreases with age and is typically less than 50 percent if you’re over the age of 40. 

There’s a slightly increased risk of having an ectopic pregnancy once you’ve had this type of surgery. This means the fertilized egg could implant in the fallopian tube rather than the uterus.

Working With a Fertility Specialist

Tubal reversal may allow you to attain pregnancy without using fertility drugs. In vitro fertilization is another option that may help you to get pregnant after having your tubes tied. The best way to decide which is the best option for you is by talking to the fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health. Schedule an appointment for a consultation today.

The average age of planning to get pregnant is increasing. Fertility is at its peak during a time when many women aren’t ready to think about having a baby. Different women have different reasons for wanting to postpone pregnancy such as being focused on their careers or their education or feeling like they haven’t found their life partner. Many women don’t realize that the passage of time can make it more difficult to get pregnant. At what age does fertility decline?

Peak Fertility

Fertility is the ability to get pregnant, and it’s at its peak in your late teens through your twenties. Fertility starts to decline by the age of 30 and by the time you’re 35, fertility is rapidly decreasing. The reason this happens is because women are born with all the eggs they’ll have during their lifetime. One or more eggs is lost every month during menstruation. 

Women who are interested in getting pregnant at a later age such as 40 to 45 have a much lower supply of eggs than they started with, and the quality of the remaining eggs has declined. By the mid-40s, many of the eggs that remain have chromosomal abnormalities. Because of these abnormalities, the eggs may not allow fertilization and if a woman does conceive, she’s at high risk of miscarriage.

Declining Egg Quality

As you get older, your remaining number of eggs continues to decrease because losing eggs is part of the aging process. The rate that eggs decline varies from one woman to another. Age isn’t the only reason this happens. Both genetics and environmental factors can affect this rate of decline.

Throughout a woman’s life, medical conditions and lifestyle choices may have an impact on egg quality. Exposure to cigarette smoke and environmental toxins can damage eggs and cause them to decline rapidly. Heavy alcohol consumption and obesity may also affect egg quality.

Men and Fertility

You may have heard of men who father children well into old age, but that’s not common. Men aren’t born with all their sperm. Instead they continue to produce fresh sperm each day. That doesn’t mean that a man’s age has no impact on pregnancy, because men who are over the age of 40 to 45 may produce fewer healthy sperm than a younger man. Men over the age of 40 may have a harder time successfully fathering a child that they would at a younger age.

Your Biological Clock

As you age, so do your ovaries and your eggs. Women who want to postpone pregnancy should recognize that their best chance of having a healthy pregnancy is before the age of 35.  If you want to postpone pregnancy later than that, consider freezing your eggs. By doing this, your eggs stay as healthy as possible rather than continuing to age and may be able to be used later when you’re ready to try to have a baby.

Get in touch with the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health to learn more about how aging contributes to declining fertility and to find out how to give yourself the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy.

If you’re struggling with infertility, it’s natural to want to explore every possible method of improving your chances of conceiving a child. There’s no one food that can magically correct problems with infertility, but foods and lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on reproductive health, and this is true for both men and women. Spend some time considering your food choices. What foods help with fertility?

Complex Carbs

Complex carbohydrates are those that contain fiber, such as beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. They’re digested slowly and which means that blood sugar is affected gradually, and they help you to feel full longer. Including complex carbs in your diet is a much healthier choice than carbs that are highly processed such as white sugar and white rice. Refined carbs can cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin, and high insulin levels may inhibit ovulation.

Fruits and Vegetables

Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Whole foods are nutrient rich and are full of vitamins and minerals that the body needs. Choose fresh or frozen vegetables whenever possible rather than canned. Asparagus and kale are especially good choices since these vegetables include important nutrients that are essential to egg quality. 

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells. Excess free radicals can be produced in response to environmental stressors such as pollution and cigarette smoke, and this can lead to oxidative stress, which can negatively impact fertility. Berries such as strawberries and blueberries contain natural antioxidants, which can help to combat oxidative stress.

Seafood

Seafood that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon is beneficial to your overall health, including your heart health and your reproductive health. Choose wild caught salmon whenever possible to avoid high mercury levels and food dyes that may be toxic. Oysters are another example of seafood that’s loaded with nutrients that are important for being able to conceive and to have a healthy pregnancy, such as zinc, vitamin B12 and iron.

Healthy Fats

Make sure your diet includes healthy fats from sources such as avocados, nuts and olive oil. Healthy fats can help to reduce inflammation, which may help to improve fertility. Monounsaturated fats from plant sources may lead to improved results from IVF.

Some fats aren’t as healthy as monounsaturated fats. Trans fats found in processed foods, margarine and French fries can have a negative effect on your health, and when trans fat intake is too high, it may contribute to infertility. Limit your intake of trans fats and whenever possible, replace trans fats with healthier fats such as canola oil, corn oil or olive oil.

Making healthy food choices is one thing you can do to try to help improve your fertility, but keep in mind that there are many possible causes of infertility and not all of them can be corrected with making better lifestyle choices. Reach out to the fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health to learn more about what foods help with fertility and to give yourself the best chance of having a successful pregnancy.

Infertility is a problem that affects as many as one in eight couples. When a couple has difficulty conceiving, the problem may stem from the woman, the man or both. For some couples, infertility is caused by a woman’s inability to produce eggs or the eggs that are produced are of poor quality. 

Egg donation is a precious gift to many people who are experiencing this struggle, and those who are willing to donate their eggs are well compensated. How much do you get paid for egg donation?  The amount donors are paid may vary. At the Center for Reproductive Health, donors are compensated anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 per cycle. 

Who Qualifies for Egg Donation?

Not everyone who may be interested in donating eggs is able to do so. As women age, the eggs they produce decline in quality, so donors must be between the ages of 20 and 31. Another factor that’s considered is BMI. Donors are expected to be at a healthy weight and to be nonsmokers.

Potential donors that fit these qualifications are screened for sexually transmitted diseases and drug use. Bloodwork and an ultrasound are done and the health of the ovaries is checked. The family medical history is reviewed to screen for possible hereditary conditions. A brief psychological exam is also done as part of the screening process.

How Does It Work?

Donors that successfully pass the screening are put on birth control pills for two or three weeks beginning with the second or third day of the monthly cycle. The purpose of this prescription is to help to regulate the egg donation cycle. After this is completed, fertility injections begin in order to stimulate the growth of multiple egg follicles. This lasts around ten to twelve days, and during this time, the donor returns to the clinic for additional bloodwork and ultrasounds.

Eggs are retrieved during a simple procedure that usually takes about 30 minutes. Anesthesia is used so the donor doesn’t feel any discomfort or pain. About an hour is spent in recovery after the procedure, and the donor needs a friend or family member to drive them home. The donated eggs are fertilized in a carefully controlled lab environment. Embryos can be implanted into the uterus of the recipient. Donated eggs can also be frozen for future use.

Compensation

Egg donors are uniquely positioned to help the dreams of others to come true and so many couples would be unable to conceive without the help of those who are willing to donate eggs. The generous compensation that donors receive is intended to acknowledge the value of the gift and the time commitment needed to complete the process. The Center for Reproductive Health is glad to be able to offer one of the highest amounts for compensation for egg donation in the Los Angeles area. Call today with any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.

When you’re trying to get pregnant, you may hear a lot of terms that are confusing to you. It’s not unusual for people who are struggling to get pregnant to have questions such as:

• What is my fertility window?
• What does peak fertility mean?
• What is ovulation and how do I know when I’m ovulating?

The team at the Center for Reproductive Health understands how stressful infertility can be. The staff is knowledgeable and compassionate, and they’re available to work with you to answer these and other questions to help you to understand what factors may help you improve your ability to get pregnant.

Peak Fertility

The fertility window are the days you’re most likely to get pregnant. Your fertility window is a range of days about five days before ovulation during which the body produces an increased amount of estrogen. During this time, sperm can stay in your body until you ovulate. Peak fertility refers to the two days in which you’re most likely to successfully conceive, which include the day of ovulation and the day before ovulation.

Knowing your fertility window helps you target the best time to have unprotected sex if you’re hoping to get pregnant. The days you’re considered most fertile happen only a few days a month. 

The Menstrual Cycle

Understanding what days you’re most fertile is important information to have if you’re trying to conceive. A woman’s menstrual cycle is the body’s way of preparing to get pregnant. The first day of your period is considered the first day of your cycle.  A typical cycle lasts about 28 days but can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days. There are many hormone fluctuations during this time.

Ovulation refers to the release of an egg from an ovary, which usually occurs about 12 to 14 days into your cycle. The timing of ovulation is a key factor in your fertility window.

Predicting Ovulation

The day you ovulate can vary from month to month, and it’s not always easy to pinpoint, especially if your periods are irregular. There are a few ways to attempt to predict ovulation. Ovulation predictor kits are sold in drugstores and can detect luteinizing hormone in your urine 24 to 48 hours before ovulation.

Another approach is the calendar method. If you have regular periods, track the start and end dates of your period for several months to determine the typical length of your cycle. Plan to have sex about halfway through your cycle. 

Your basal body temperature may help you determine when you’re ovulating. If you track your temperature daily, you’ll notice your temperature goes up slightly in the middle of your cycle, which can help you to pinpoint your most fertile days. Charting your cervical mucous may also shed some light on when you’re ovulating, because it becomes clear and slippery when you’re ovulating.

Reach out to the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health to find out more about pinpointing your fertility window and peak fertility.

The experts at the Center for Reproductive Health recommend taking a prenatal vitamin while you’re trying to get pregnant for your health and for your baby’s health if you do get pregnant. What vitamins help fertility? Prenatal vitamins contain important micronutrients that may improve your chance of conceiving, so taking a good prenatal vitamin is a good place to start. There are several individual vitamins that are known to be beneficial for fertility.

Folic Acid

It’s crucial for pregnant women to get enough folic acid because it helps reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects which are serious defects of a fetus’ brain and spine. Some research has determined that folic acid may improve the chance of a successful pregnancy if you’re pursuing pregnancy with assisted reproductive technology. Men may also benefit from taking multivitamins that contain folic acid. This nutrient can help to improve sperm quality in men. Take a supplement that contains at least 400 mcg of this important vitamin.

Vitamin D

Many adults have lower levels of vitamin D than they should, which can contribute to fertility problems in both men and women. Low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of miscarriage or complications during pregnancy and vitamin D levels also play a role in the success of in vitro fertilization. 

As many as four out of every ten adults are deficient in this nutrient, and it’s important to have adequate levels of this vitamin if you’re trying to get pregnant. Sun exposure can help to increase vitamin D levels, but supplementation may also be recommended to ensure that levels of this vitamin are adequate.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that works to repair cells and help cancel out the effects of free radicals. Both men and women can benefit from taking this supplement, because taking vitamin E supplements can help to improve both egg quality and sperm quality. Vitamin E can help a fertilized egg stay attached to the uterine wall. 

CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10, better known as CoQ10, is a powerful antioxidant. It’s found naturally in the body and it helps generate energy in cells. Levels of this substance decline with age, which may contribute to difficulty getting pregnant for women who are trying to conceive later in life. As levels of CoQ10 decline, the body is less efficient protecting eggs from oxidative damage. Taking CoQ10 supplements can help to improve egg quality and ovarian response, and it can also help improve sperm quality in men.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil are known to be beneficial for heart health, and this supplement can also reduce inflammation and boost hormone production. Fish oil can have a positive effect on the development of a baby when you’re pregnant, and it may also help increase egg quality. It can be difficult to get enough omega 3s from diet alone and supplementation may help improve fertility.

Talk to the fertility specialists at the Center for Reproductive Health for more information on vitamins and fertility. 

Infertility is draining and frustrating and if you’re struggling to get pregnant, you may be searching for answers on how to naturally increase fertility. There are factors that contribute to infertility that are beyond your control, but the good news is that there are several lifestyle changes you can make that may help to improve your fertility. 

The team of fertility specialists at the Center for Reproductive Health is committed to working with you to teach you what you can do to increase fertility and to make your dream of having a successful pregnancy a reality.

Good Nutrition

The food you consume impacts your overall health as well as your ability to get pregnant. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains are rich in antioxidants, which deactivate the free radicals in your body. This can help to boost egg quality and sperm quality. Limit the amount of refined carbs you eat, such as sugary foods and white bread or rice. These foods can cause a spike in blood sugar which can interfere with reproductive hormones.

Work on attaining or maintaining a healthy weight. If you’re overweight or underweight, it can affect your ability to get pregnant. Avoid diet plans that recommend eliminating entire food groups. Drink plenty of water since it helps support hormonal balance and organ function while flushing toxins from the body. 

An Active Lifestyle

Moderate physical activity can reduce stress, help you maintain a healthy weight and can have a positive impact on fertility. Aerobic exercise can improve lung capacity and blood circulation. Yoga and stretching exercises can improve posture and balance while Pilates and weight lifting can help to build strength. Use light weights and more repetitions or do resistance exercises that use your own body weight

When it comes to exercise, moderation is key. It’s important to get moving, but over-exercising can have a negative effect on your reproductive system.

Kick Unhealthy Habits

Things you do that you probably know are bad for you may also be factors in fertility problems. Smoking and vaping are associated with fertility problems, so if you or your partner smoke, it’s important to quit. Consumption of alcohol and caffeine should be limited or avoided altogether. 

Pay attention to your environment and whether you’re exposed to any environmental toxins such as pesticides and strong cleaning products. Environmental toxins can decrease fertility and should be avoided.

Stress Management

Stress can cause hormonal changes that can impact fertility. An inability to get pregnant can be stressful on its own, and you may be dealing with stress in other areas of your life as well. Make time to unwind and learn ways to relax such as deep breathing or meditation. Uncontrolled stress may affect fertility, and it may also drive you to turn to unhealthy habits to cope such as smoking, drinking or bingeing on junk food.

Positive lifestyle changes can improve your overall health and may also improve your fertility. Talk to the team of fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health to learn more about what you should work on to increase your fertility.