There
are many men and women who, after having children decide
to go in for some kind of sterilization that involves
minor surgery. For women it is tubal ligation, while men go in
for a vasectomy. In a vasectomy, the vans deferens — the
tube through which sperm passes — is severed, stopping
sperm from moving out of the testicles and mixing with
the semen. For a couple, this means not having to think
of accidental pregnancies and being free of the hassle
of using contraceptives. What happens, however, if the
couple decides some years down the line that they do,
after all, want another child and want to know how to
get pregnant after a vasectomy? Here are some of the ways they can:
Vasectomy reversal
·
Men who decide they do want to have a child a
few years after having a vasectomy can reverse the
surgery by using a microsurgical technique known as
vasovasostomy. This is, however, a costly, complex
procedure in which the tubes that carried the sperm from
the testes to the semen are reconnected. It does not
guarantee pregnancy but as the sperm mixes with the
semen again, it raises the chances of being able to have
a child. Pregnancy also depends on how long ago the
vasectomy took place, and what kind of procedure was
done. Sometimes the vasovasostomy may not be permanent
and occlusion — the closing or obstruction — of the
tubes could occur after a few years of the reversal
operation. Also, having a vasectomy in the first place
can reduce sperm count and motility, so a reversal may
not lead to a successful impregnation. A vasectomy
reversal may also increase autoimmunity where the body
develops antibodies that attack the sperm which it
mistakes for germs.
In-Vitro Fertilization
·
A vasectomy does not stop the production of
sperm but can lower its count. For couples who do not
want to go in for a vasectomy reversal, IVF (in-vitro
fertilization) and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm
Injection) can be a good alternative. Both techniques —
usually used by couples who have infertility problems —
involve the fertilization of the ovum externally, i.e.
outside the woman’s body, with sperm that has been
extracted directly from the testes or the van deferens.
The egg is then fertilized and placed in the woman’s
uterus. The sperm that has been collected is screened
and only the best one is selected to fertilize the egg.
The couple can also use the services of a sperm bank.
Vasectomies are not 100%
safe
·
Though a vasectomy is considered one of the
safest methods of birth control, it is not 100%
reliable. Men who have undergone vasectomy must have
their semen tested and sometimes the tests show the
presence of live sperm. Vasectomy failure occurs in
about 1 in 2000 men. So, there is a great chance that if
a couple changes their mind and decides to have another
baby, they could get pregnant if they try often enough.
A lot of people change their minds after having undergone birth-control procedures and realize they would like to have a child. Turning to conventional medical technology for this is fine, but couples wondering how to get pregnant after a vasectomy should turn to the holistic approach which, by the use of Chinese medication and acupuncture, herbal treatment, a change in lifestyle, diet and exercise, can help boost the chances of having a baby. The herbal approach — which aims at treating the whole body rather than just the symptom — helps the couple sort through physiological, emotional and mental issues and get to the core of the problem. The holistic way, in conjunction with modern medical technology, will maximize a couple’s chances of getting pregnant.
