Can I Be a Surrogate After a Tubal Ligation

Can I be a surrogate if my tubes are tied?

Potential surrogates often want to know if they can be a surrogate after a tubal ligation – usually, they ask, “Can I be a surrogate if my tubes are tied?” This question makes a lot of sense. After all, tubal ligation is a permanent birth control procedure to prevent pregnancy, and the whole point of surrogacy is to get pregnant and carry a baby! So how can surrogates have their tubes tied? To answer this question, we need to look at tubal ligations and how the surrogacy process works.

What Is A Tubal Ligation?

Tubal ligation, often called “getting your tubes tied,” is a surgical procedure where a doctor either blocks or cuts the fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus. It is a permanent form of birth control to prevent pregnancy.

During a menstrual cycle, the ovaries release a mature egg, which travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus. If the egg meets sperm traveling up the fallopian tube, it gets fertilized, the first step of pregnancy. The fertilized egg then continues its journey to the uterus, where it implants in the uterine wall and grows into a baby.

A tubal ligation blocks or cuts the fallopian tubes, which prevents sperm and egg from meeting. No meeting means no fertilization, which means no pregnancy. Tubal ligations are one of the most effective forms of birth control.

So, if getting your tubes tied prevents pregnancy, then how can a surrogate after a tubal ligation get pregnant? The answer lies in the surrogacy process itself.

How Does Gestational Surrogacy Work?

Before IVF was developed in the 1970s, all surrogates were what is now called “traditional” or “genetic” surrogates. This meant the surrogate provided their egg as well as their uterus, and was biologically related to the child. It also meant surrogates got pregnant either through artificial insemination or through intercourse with the intended father. Either way, the surrogate needed to have fully functioning ovaries so that the sperm could fertilize an egg and then implant as usual. In traditional surrogacy, a surrogate could not have a tubal ligation.

Nowadays, however, traditional surrogacy is very rare. Almost all surrogates today are “gestational” surrogates. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby. Egg and sperm, from either the intended parents or other donors, are combined in a lab to create an embryo. A doctor then transfers that embryo into the surrogate’s uterus to hopefully implant and grow into a baby. The surrogate’s ovaries are not involved in any way.

Can I Be A Surrogate After A Tubal Ligation?

Yes! Like most surrogacy agencies, Eggceptional Fertility only works with gestational surrogates. Because the embryo is transferred directly into the uterus, the surrogate’s ovaries, eggs, and fallopian tubes are not a part of the process. Getting your tubes tied doesn’t affect the ability to nurture and carry a pregnancy in your uterus. So, you can be a surrogate after a tubal ligation without any risk or effect at all to the baby’s or your health.

In fact, having a tubal ligation can be a benefit to being a surrogate. As a surrogate, you will need to take medications that make you extra fertile to prepare for the embryo transfer. Having your tubes tied adds an extra layer of protection to make sure you don’t become naturally pregnant while going through the surrogacy process. Also, many surrogacy agencies look for surrogates who have already finished building their families and aren’t looking to have any more children of their own. Applying to be a surrogate after a tubal ligation indicates that you are finished having your own kids.

How Do I Become a Surrogate After A Tubal Ligation?

It can take one to four weeks to recover from a tubal ligation. If you had a tubal ligation recently and want to become a surrogate, talk to your doctor about appropriate timelines to begin the surrogacy process. In the meantime, check out our other surrogacy requirements to see if you are eligible. If you’re interested in becoming a surrogate, with or without a tubal ligation, we’d love to meet you – so reach out to us today!