Pregnancy after vasectomy?

[Anonymous]

Dear new vas-fail mom:

Maybe they are cheaper by the half-dozen?

Seriously, you are in my thoughts. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! Just checking in to this (bumped) thread and read each and every post.

I have tears in my eyes. I so admire your attitude, OP. You handled it all will grace and just the right amount of concern...and then, jubilation.

How are you, OP? Have you gotten over the shock?

And...can anyone tell me just how uncommon this vasectomy failure is...? Says the woman who has nagged her husband for eight years to get one and keeps thinking that menopause will happen before he gets the vas.

I am OP. I'm doing great. 21 weeks this week, and we found out on my birthday last week that we are having our second little girl. I have just been walking on air since we found out it was a pregnancy. I have truly loved this second pregnancy the way I didn't with my first and I'm really soaking it up and just trying to enjoy it all. I know now that it goes so fast and this really WILL be my last time so I'm doing my best to enjoy the pregnancy while I can, enjoy the time with my family as-is until this new one arrives, and look forward to reliving the baby stage with more experience, and better perspective this time. It's been a life changer, for sure.

From what I have been told and have read, vasectomy failure is not common- around 1-2% of vasectomies fail. There is a new method where they cut, tie, and cauterize the ends of the vas deferens to make failure nearly impossible (with 3 fail-safes in place) but my husband and I do not know if that is what his urologist did when he got his in 2009. My husband thinks he may have just cut and tied, and there is a higher (still not high, but higher) rate of failure with that method since they can untie and reattach over time. As a doctor friend put it to me, the body's instinct is to heal itself. Sometimes it manages to do so! And also when we had our first visit with my OB and we told her about the vasectomy failure, she said we were the third couple that week who had that happen to them. My husband is going to have his vasectomy repaired in August and I am going to use backup birth control myself after the birth, just in case.

To the new poster above this PP... I hope you are doing well also. I know it is a shock. If I had four children already I don't know if I could have accepted a surprise pregnancy very well. Whatever you (and/or your husband) choose to do going forward, I wish you peace with your decision! Best advice I can give is to give yourself a couple days to really let it sink in. The day I got the positive test I was a mess- confused, bewildered, anxious, and resentful of how our planned-out life was going to change if it really was a pregnancy. When I got the call from the doctor 5 days later with news it was a pregnancy, I had come around to being happy about it. You will have a better grip on how you truly feel and how to move forward after you give it some time.

Yay, OP. How old is your older daughter? Just wanted to tell you that I had an unexpected pregnancy myself. We thought we'd have just one, and then boom--last year, second child. It is challenging but I have no regrets. Honestly, my biggest feeling is relief when I see my kids together and happy. Mine are 5.5 yrs apart.

Hugs to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! Just checking in to this (bumped) thread and read each and every post.

I have tears in my eyes. I so admire your attitude, OP. You handled it all will grace and just the right amount of concern...and then, jubilation.

How are you, OP? Have you gotten over the shock?

And...can anyone tell me just how uncommon this vasectomy failure is...? Says the woman who has nagged her husband for eight years to get one and keeps thinking that menopause will happen before he gets the vas.

I am OP. I'm doing great. 21 weeks this week, and we found out on my birthday last week that we are having our second little girl. I have just been walking on air since we found out it was a pregnancy. I have truly loved this second pregnancy the way I didn't with my first and I'm really soaking it up and just trying to enjoy it all. I know now that it goes so fast and this really WILL be my last time so I'm doing my best to enjoy the pregnancy while I can, enjoy the time with my family as-is until this new one arrives, and look forward to reliving the baby stage with more experience, and better perspective this time. It's been a life changer, for sure.

From what I have been told and have read, vasectomy failure is not common- around 1-2% of vasectomies fail. There is a new method where they cut, tie, and cauterize the ends of the vas deferens to make failure nearly impossible (with 3 fail-safes in place) but my husband and I do not know if that is what his urologist did when he got his in 2009. My husband thinks he may have just cut and tied, and there is a higher (still not high, but higher) rate of failure with that method since they can untie and reattach over time. As a doctor friend put it to me, the body's instinct is to heal itself. Sometimes it manages to do so! And also when we had our first visit with my OB and we told her about the vasectomy failure, she said we were the third couple that week who had that happen to them. My husband is going to have his vasectomy repaired in August and I am going to use backup birth control myself after the birth, just in case.

To the new poster above this PP... I hope you are doing well also. I know it is a shock. If I had four children already I don't know if I could have accepted a surprise pregnancy very well. Whatever you (and/or your husband) choose to do going forward, I wish you peace with your decision! Best advice I can give is to give yourself a couple days to really let it sink in. The day I got the positive test I was a mess- confused, bewildered, anxious, and resentful of how our planned-out life was going to change if it really was a pregnancy. When I got the call from the doctor 5 days later with news it was a pregnancy, I had come around to being happy about it. You will have a better grip on how you truly feel and how to move forward after you give it some time.

Yay, OP. How old is your older daughter? Just wanted to tell you that I had an unexpected pregnancy myself. We thought we'd have just one, and then boom--last year, second child. It is challenging but I have no regrets. Honestly, my biggest feeling is relief when I see my kids together and happy. Mine are 5.5 yrs apart.

Hugs to you!

My daughter will be 4 at the end of August, so 4 years, 3 months when the baby is born. I do think it'll be a good gap- she'll get a break 3x a week with preschool, which will also give me some time to bond one-on-one with the baby. She's also just entering the stage where she's obsessed with "mommies and babies" so I think she will be mostly welcoming to a new baby. Plus it helps that she's in a regular bed now, potty trained, can play independently, etc. It will be a transition for her, but hopefully a relatively easy one. I'm looking forward to having sisters.

[Anonymous]

OP, how nice to hear an update from you. I think you're in the November moms thread also, no? Did you join up in the October moms yahoogroup? We would all like to stay connected.

[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Glad everything is going well for you. My husband is 8 years post vasectomy and I am a little worried that we may be in the same situation. Due for AF and its not here, been dizzy, nauseous, tired, cranky with a headache for a few days and my mother says to me "maybe your pregnant -haha) and then I started to worry! Honestly this thread is making me a little more worried since it seems like pregnancy after vasectomy is more common then I thought! We have 3 boys and after our youngest was born my husband had the procedure. He did not get the follow up tests but since we did not get pregnant over these last 8 years we never thought twice about it as I am very easy to get pregnant (our youngest 2 children are 11 months apart -we got pregnant almost immediately after the 6 weeks we abstained after having our middle son and I had been on BC for 4 weeks already at that point) I don't feel pregnant (I KNEW 2 weeks before my missed period with my youngest that I was pregnant) but after 8 years could I forget what it feels like? All these symptoms are making me crazy but I feel foolish running to the store for a test when I am only a few days late. Usually if we are intimate when AF is due that brings it on but it's nowhere to be seen. Is there any other explanations for these symptoms?

[Anonymous]

What is your age, PP? Could it be peri-menopause?

I would take a test. I (OP) waited 2 weeks because I just couldn't conceive that a pregnancy was at all the explanation for my missing period. And... Surprise!

I do think 8 years would be especially late for a vasectomy to fail but it can happen, especially since 8 years ago your husband probably got the simple "cut and tie" procedure mine did, which is more likely to fail than the new cut/tie/burn method.

Good luck and update us when you know!

[Anonymous]

I'm 32 so i dont think it would be menopause I am going to wait another day or two and then if still no AF I will get the test done. I'm in two minds right now where I am hoping for it to be nothing but then I hope that I am pregnant so I want to sort out my feelings a bit before I know for sure! I'll keep you posted! Thanks and congratulations on your surprise baby!

[Anonymous]

So I took the test today and it says no. I am relieved but a little disappointed at the same time! But my hubby will be on his way to get tested anyways just to ease my mind that his vasectomy is still working properly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I got a phone call about an hour ago- I'm about 6 weeks pregnant! HCG levels are 109,000 and progesterone is 15.2, so they said all looks healthy. We are going in at 4 this afternoon for an ultrasound and hopefully everything will check out and we'll get an EDD. I've been on the phone ever since; our mothers are beside themselves. My MIL found out two other women in our family are also 6 weeks pregnant! My hands shook for about 30 minutes. What a shock!

I didn't know which way it would go, but I'm really just thrilled. What an unexpected surprise. I just have to assume that it was meant to be. I think we'll pick up a couple lottery tickets after our appointment today, though- just in case.

I'm thrilled that you're thrilled! Congrats!

+1!!!

[Anonymous]

OP, I am due a couple of weeks before you with an unplanned pregnancy. I've followed you a bit here on DCUM throughout the past 6+ months (you are totally a DCUM celebrity!) I hope all is going well these last few weeks and that you are feeling ready to meet your little girl!

Anyway, I saw this thread got bumped and wanted to ask you a couple of b/c questions: We DEFINITELY want this to be our last. DH is getting a vasectomy & has his consultation this week. I'm wondering if there are any specific questions he should ask the doctor. You mentioned the cut, tie, AND cauterize, so I'll make sure he knows to inquire about that. Any other info he/we should know? Also, I'm thinking we might want to use a second form of b/c, too. I think you said you are getting your tubes tied-- is that correct? If so, are you having it done concurrently with the birth? If not, how long post partum will you wait? If you're not getting your tubes tied, are you considering any other form of b/c?

As much as we have adjusted to and gotten excited about the idea of this child joining our family, I certainily do NOT want to go through any of this (emotional or physical) again!!

Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Oh, Man! I was waiting for a birth announcement, then realized it was too early for such.

How are you, OP?

Promise to come back to post a birth announcement! You're in the home stretch now! And, yes, you are a DCUM celebrity.

[Anonymous]

Did your husband have a sperm count initially after the vasectomy ?

[Anonymous]

Op here. Hi! I always try to pop in if I see the thread has been bumped. I'm just now 34 weeks so in the home stretch but not quite there yet.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, my husband had the test done after his vasectomy and was given the all clear at that with no sperm present. No issues or concerns at all until this surprise pregnancy three years later. That's really why I was so surprised and waited so long to take a test... I just thought it couldn't possibly be a pregnancy, especially after that long!

2. I would definitely make sure that the urologist you see for your husband's vasectomy uses the cut, burn and tie method since this is the least likely to fail. And yes, my main advice now is to use BC on your end as well! I'm still trying to figure out what option I will go with for that myself- my doctor advised me tying my tubes was not a good option for me for a couple different reasons so I will likely be using a non hormonal IUD. I imagine I will start that after birth at my first post partum appointment. I think for most people the vas is enough but as I am personally an exception to that, I won't be taking any chances and will be covered on my end as well this time.

[Anonymous]

OP, just discovered this thread and like other PPs am inspired by your outlook and thrilled for you. What a fantastic story you have to tell.

Read this with great interest as DH and I have discussed him getting a vasectomy after this pregnancy. Thanks for sharing your lessons learned.

Congratulations and best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for checking back in with updates & answers to our questions. Definitely let us know when Baby arrives!!