Tubal ligation is a method of female sterilization. Doctors use tubal ligation methods to block fallopian tubes so the egg cannot reach the uterus and neither can the sperm reach the egg within the fallopian tubes. The tubal blockage prevents this.

However, for many women for one reason or another, there comes a point where you may regret having had your tubes tied. At first you will ask your doctor and maybe friends what alternatives you have regarding a pregnancy after having your tubes tied. Many women find that the only option they are presented with is IVF by people, including medical professionals, who mistakenly believe it is the only way. However, tubal ligation reversal is a much better option for most women when reconsidering their original operation.

There are several factors to consider when deciding which option will be best for you. Most women think of cost first. In looking around the web and in your home town, you are going to find that prices vary widely. However, on the average a single cycle of IVF will cost $10,000 to $12,000. On average, a single surgery to repair your fallopian tubes will cost $8,000 to $9,000. The trick is understanding the rates of success for each and how that affects cost.

Any one cycle of IVF has about a 35% chance of you getting pregnant. That's if your cycle makes it that far because 11% that get started have to be halted for one reason or another. But that 35% chance doesn't mean you will necessarily have a baby. So some women will try again if their first or third cycle fails. Just think of what that does to your cost. It rapidly builds up.

Whereas with tubal ligation reversal, the overall success rate is 66%. The surgery is one time meaning a onetime cost. If you fail to get pregnant this month, then you can try again next month for no additional cost ... unless it's for a romantic getaway for two but that's a different story. You do have to wait at least one month before trying so your fallopian tubes can heal, but after that it's try, try again.

Now, with IVF either you get pregnant or you don't. About the only real factor to its success besides general health is your age. With tubal reversal, there are more factors at play. These factors are your age, of course, the type of tubal ligation you had in the first place, and the length of your fallopian tubes that are left after your surgery. Depending upon the factor, you have up to an 80% chance of getting pregnant.