Let’s say you’ve had a few healthy pregnancies in the past and you now have the family you’ve always envisioned. You and your partner have decided that you’re done having babies, so you make the decision to get your tubes tied to prevent any future pregnancies.
Over time, you start to feel a pull towards becoming a gestational surrogate and carrying a baby for someone else. The thought of becoming a surrogate is an exciting notion. You could bring a new life into the world for parent(s) who aren’t able to have children on their own. What a selfless act of kindness!
Wait…hold on a minute. You’d love to be a surrogate, but your tubes are tied. Does that put an end to your dream? Is it even possible to be a surrogate after a pregnancy prevention procedure like tubal ligation?
What is Tubal Ligation?
First, let’s explain what tubal ligation is. Often called “tying your tubes,” tubal ligation involves closing a woman’s fallopian tubes. This prevents an egg from traveling out of the ovaries down the fallopian tubes, as well as the sperm from traveling up the fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg.
There are three ways a tubal ligation is performed: cutting, blocking, or tying the fallopian tubes. Tubal ligation through any of these methods permanently prevents conception, eliminating the need for birth control. It’s one of the most popular surgical sterilization procedures for women.
One of the reasons this permanent form of birth control is so popular is that it’s minimally invasive. Tubal ligation doesn’t involve major incisions or a long, painful recovery period like invasive, open surgeries do. The surgeon uses a laparoscope (a small tool with a camera attached to the end) to perform the procedure.
Can You Be A Gestational Surrogate If Your Tubes Are Tied?
Get excited because yes, you can still be a surrogate if your tubes are tied! Gestational surrogacy doesn’t require the use of fallopian tubes. To be a surrogate, you physically only need a healthy uterus. You do not need your ovaries or tubes, since the egg will be coming from the intended mother or an egg donor.
Tubal ligation doesn’t affect your ability to be a gestational surrogate, but certain health conditions might. These include:
- Toxemia
- Preeclampsia
- Preterm labor
- Incompetent cervix
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Other medical complications
Another important qualification for gestational surrogates that choose The Fertility Agency is that they have had at least one healthy, full-term pregnancy in the past. So if you’ve had tubal ligation but have never carried a pregnancy to term and delivered a healthy baby, you still won’t be eligible to be a gestational surrogate.
In terms of our other health requirements, you must be:
- Between 21 and 42 years old
- A non-smoker, non-drug user who maintains a healthy lifestyle
- Willing to abstain from drinking any alcohol during a pregnancy
- A healthy weight/height ratio, with a body mass index (BMI) of 32 or less. Use this calculator from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to determine your BMI
- Willing to give up or lower caffeine and soda intake for the duration of the pregnancy as prescribed by your OB/GYN
- Able to get a note from your OB/GYN that says you are a good candidate to be a surrogate
- Free from other health conditions that can be exacerbated by pregnancy
- Not directly exposed to second-hand smoke (including both tobacco and marijuana)
These are just the health-related qualifications for becoming a surrogate. You can view our full list of gestational surrogate requirements on our website.
Surrogacy After Tubal Ligation
If you’re hoping to become a gestational surrogate and you’ve had your tubes tied, you’ll be glad to know that your dream can still happen. You can be a surrogate after tubal ligation. If you have any questions about becoming a surrogate, the surrogacy process, compensation, or anything else, we’re happy to answer them.
Surrogacy and Egg Donor Services
Since 2004, The Fertility Agency has helped bring over 1100+ babies into the world. We work with all intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors no matter their sexual preference, relationship status, ethnicity, location, etc. Our personal experiences and years of expertise provide us with the perfect balance of business and passion. Contact us for more information.
