Yes, Pregnancy After Salpingectomy is Definitely Possible
Yes, you can absolutely get pregnant after ectopic pregnancy and removal of one fallopian tube—the remaining tube allows for natural conception with reasonable success rates, though your overall fertility is somewhat reduced compared to having both tubes.
Natural Conception Rates with One Tube
- Women with one healthy fallopian tube can achieve pregnancy naturally in approximately 60% of cases over a 3-year period following tubal surgery 1
- The cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate after salpingectomy (tube removal) is approximately 56% within 36 months, which is not significantly different from tube-preserving surgery 1
- In women who had conservative surgery on their only remaining tube, 76% conceived, with 47.6% achieving intrauterine pregnancy 2
Important Fertility Considerations
Your Risk Profile Changes
- History of ectopic pregnancy increases your risk of another ectopic pregnancy to 10-20%, primarily due to either effects of surgical management or persistence of the original risk factors that caused the first ectopic 3
- The repeat ectopic pregnancy rate ranges from 5-8% after salpingectomy 1
- Even with one tube removed, you remain at elevated risk because the underlying tubal factors (previous salpingitis, tubal damage) often affect both tubes 3, 4
Rare But Possible: Ectopic Pregnancy After Tube Removal
- Ectopic pregnancy can still occur even after salpingectomy, though this is uncommon 5, 6, 7
- Possible locations include the tubal stump (remaining portion of tube), interstitial/cornual region, ovary, or abdominal cavity 5, 7
- This risk is particularly relevant if you undergo IVF, where ectopic pregnancies after bilateral salpingectomy have been documented 6, 7
Assisted Reproduction Options
- If natural conception doesn't occur, IVF remains highly effective and bypasses the need for fallopian tubes entirely 4
- However, be aware that IVF increases heterotopic pregnancy risk (simultaneous intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy) from 1 in 30,000 in natural conception to 1 in 1,000-3,900 4
- Even with IVF after salpingectomy, your history of tubal disease remains the most important underlying risk factor 3, 4
Critical Monitoring Recommendations
Early Pregnancy Surveillance
- Any positive pregnancy test requires immediate transvaginal ultrasound to confirm intrauterine location, regardless of symptoms or hCG level 8
- Do not assume that having only one tube or previous salpingectomy eliminates ectopic pregnancy risk 5, 6, 7
- Seek immediate evaluation if you experience abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, or any concerning symptoms in early pregnancy 8
What to Watch For
- Unilateral pelvic pain (though this can occur on either side, not just where your remaining tube is located) 8
- Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy 8
- Any hemodynamic instability (dizziness, fainting, rapid heart rate) requires emergency evaluation 8
Bottom Line
Your fertility is preserved with one fallopian tube, and natural conception is very achievable—more than half of women in your situation will conceive naturally within 3 years 1. However, you must remain vigilant about ectopic pregnancy risk in any future pregnancy, as your history places you in a high-risk category requiring early ultrasound confirmation of intrauterine pregnancy location 3, 8.