Tubal ligation is a type of permanent birth control in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are completely blocked or sealed off. This procedure, or “getting your tubes tied,” is a common contraception for women. 

However, just because you’ve gotten your tubes tied doesn’t mean that you can’t ever give birth again. Fortunately, you can still become a surrogate even if you’ve gone through tubal ligation. You still have the chance to help other couples have the family they’ve been dreaming of. 

What Happens During Tubal Ligation?

Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure. It involves cutting, tying, or blocking off the fallopian tubes. Doing so prevents the egg from reaching the uterus and thus prevents pregnancy. The procedure also has the additional benefit of reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.

The procedure is considered permanent, and reconstructive surgery is the only way to reverse it. Many women opt for this form of contraception due to its effectiveness and permanence in preventing pregnancies. In addition, women who already have children and don’t want anymore will often prefer this procedure.

Why Having Tubal Ligation Does Not Prevent You From Being A Surrogate

Gestational surrogacy is an assisted reproductive technology in which a woman carries and delivers a baby for another couple or individual. In this kind of surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the baby she is carrying. Instead, a process called in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is used to implant the couple’s embryo into the surrogate’s uterus.

On the other hand, traditional surrogacy involves a surrogate genetically related to the baby she carries because her egg is used in the fertilization process. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate is artificially inseminated from the intended father or a donor. (This type of surrogacy is not recommended by the ASRM and is very rare within the USA.)

Tubal Ligation Simply Prevents Ovulation 

Tubal ligation prevents pregnancy by impeding ovulation. Since the embryos used in gestational surrogacy are created with eggs and sperm from the intended parents or a donor, ovulation is unnecessary for the surrogate to become pregnant. 

As long as the surrogate has a functioning uterus, is in good health, and meets the other program criteria,  she can still be a gestational surrogate even after having her tubes tied.

Benefits of Being A Surrogate After Tubal Ligation

There are no drawbacks to becoming a surrogate if you’ve had your tubes tied. In fact, there are several advantages that surrogates who have their tubes tied have over those that don’t. 

These benefits include the following:

It Will Prevent Surrogates From Getting Pregnant With Their Own Child

If you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate, nothing will throw a wrench in your plans than getting pregnant with your own child before the surrogacy process can even begin. After all, you can get pregnant at any time before the embryo transfer, which can cause many issues for the intended parents.

Fortunately, if you’ve gone through tubal ligation, you don’t have to worry about this. Since your fallopian tubes are blocked, there’s no way for an egg to reach the uterus and get fertilized with sperm. This means that you can focus on the surrogacy process without having to worry about getting pregnant yourself.

Future Fertility Is No Longer An Issue

When considering becoming a surrogate, many women worry about the pregnancy’s effects on their fertility. Generally, having a child on your own or via gestational surrogacy is safe. 

However, there will always be some kind of risk involved in becoming pregnant. This is because carrying a baby can stress the reproductive system, and predicting how a pregnancy will affect future fertility can be challenging.

However, this is no longer an issue if you’ve already undergone tubal ligation. The procedure has already compromised fertility, so you don’t need to worry about future damage. You can focus on the surrogacy process without worrying about your future fertility.

Start Your Surrogate Journey Today

If you want to become a gestational surrogate and have had your tubes tied, don’t hesitate to start your journey today. 

At KindEOS, we provide personalized support and guidance to help you through your journey. From the initial application process to medical screenings and doctor visits, our team of experts will be there for you every step of the way. 
Be a part of our KindEOS surrogacy program. Check out our surrogate requirements.

Kindbody
Kindbody
Kindbody is a new generation of women's health and fertility care. Providing you with the information you need to take control of your health and make the decisions that are right for you. We’re a community of healthcare providers, fertility specialists, and women who get it. We’re on a mission to democratize and de-stigmatize women’s health and fertility care, making it accessible, intuitive, and empowering.