October 09, 2009

My RE tried to unblock my tubes and was only successful opening one. She couldn't give me a reason as to why they were blocked in the first place. (i had a successful IUI on the first try 3 yrs earlier) Can sperm still swim up the blocked tube even though her unblocking instruments couldn't?

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Posted 5 months ago
Last active 5 months ago
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blocked tube

Megan C...

October 10, 2009

While sperm may be able to make it through the blockage if it is not a complete blockage the problem comes after fertilization takes place. If the sperm make it through the blockage & then fertilize an egg on the other side of it, there is no way for that fertilized egg to make it back down into the uterus thus creating an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. If you ovulate from the blocked side there is still a chance that your open tube can pick up the egg when it is released from the ovary & you can conceive. I have only one open tube from a previous ectopic & I was able to conceive even though I o'ed from the side where my tube is 100% blocked. This is why even though women who only have one tube have some reduced fertility but it is not even reduced by 50% because of the chance the working tube can pick up an egg released by the other side. It definitely took a little longer to get pregnant because my right side seemed to be kind of dominant because I o'ed from that side probably 75% of the cycles. Have you had an HSG since your surgery? If not, it might be something you want to ask your RE about to see if there is any opening in that side or not. You should definitely make sure you are monitored closely when you do get a BFP until they can see a pregnancy inside the uterus. Any time you have had surgery done to your tubes you are at elevated risk of ectopic pregnancy because scar tissue develops after the surgery even if the tube is open. Certainly don't get discouraged, getting pregnant with one working tube is definitely not easy but can definitely happen! There are tons & tons of posts on here about women who have gotten pregnant just like me with only one working side! Good Luck & let me know if you have any questions ( I am also an OBGYN nurse)