A tubal ligation, also known in Jamaican speech as having a “tie off” is having fallopian tubes tied blocked so pregnancy does not occur. The fertilizing of the egg by the sperm occurs in the Fallopian tube, so a tubal ligation prevents pregnancy by keeping the sperm and egg from meeting.
Some women who have had a tubal ligation may choose to have it reversed. Reversal of the tubal ligation means that the blocked or cut segments of the Fallopian tube are put back together so the tube can function normally again. This allows a woman who has had her tubes tied to become pregnant naturally.
Reversal of tubal ligation does not always mean a successful pregnancy though.
Factors that can make a tubal ligation reversal more likely to be successful include:
- Age. Reversal is more successful in younger women.
- The type of tubal sterilization. Some types of tubal ligation are not reversible.
- How much healthy Fallopian tube is left after the “tie off” surgery. Reversal surgery is more successful when there is a lot of healthy Fallopian tube left.