If you’ve had an endometrial ablation and are hoping to have a baby, you may be wondering whether IVF is still an option. Unfortunately, IVF after ablation is rarely successful and can pose serious risks. But that doesn’t mean your dream of parenthood has to end.
Understanding how an ablation affects your uterus — and what family-building methods are available — can help you find the best path forward.
Below, we’ll explore what an endometrial ablation is and why IVF after an endometrial ablation may not be the best option. We’ll also discuss the benefits of surrogacy and how you can get started.
Ready to learn more? Reach out to one of our surrogacy specialists for personalized guidance today.
Can You Do IVF After an Ablation?
Medical professionals generally do not recommend IVF after a uterine ablation. An endometrial ablation, also called a uterine ablation, is a medical procedure that removes or destroys the uterine lining.
The procedure can cause extensive scarring and permanently thin the uterine lining, making it difficult for an embryo to implant and grow successfully.
A thick, healthy uterine lining is essential for a successful pregnancy. Without it, the chances of carrying a baby to term are very low.
Even if implantation does occur, successful IVF after an ablation is extremely risky. The uterus may not be able to support the growing fetus. Because of this, many fertility specialists recommend exploring alternative options like surrogacy.
What are my chances of successful IVF after ablation?
Studies show that the pregnancy rate following ablation is estimated between 0.24% to 5.2%.
In comparison, women who have not had an ablation face much higher pregnancy success rates. However, pregnancies that do occur after ablation often face higher risks such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, preterm delivery and more.
What Are the Risks of IVF After an Ablation?
While IVF might seem like a way forward, the truth is that the risks involved are much higher than you may realize—here’s why.
Attempting IVF after an ablation is not only difficult but also poses serious risks to both you and the baby. Because the uterus has been altered by the procedure, complications can arise even if implantation is successful.
Potential risks include:
- Miscarriage: Pregnancy loss may occur because the uterine lining is too thin or damaged to support implantation and fetal growth.
- Intrauterine growth restriction: The baby may not receive enough nutrients due to impaired blood flow, which can slow development.
- Preterm birth: The risk of delivering too early increases and can result in serious health complications for the baby.
- Placenta accrete: The placenta may attach too deeply into the uterine wall, leading to severe bleeding and complications during delivery.
- Preeclampsia: This condition causes dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy, posing risks to both the mother and baby.
- Uterine rupture: If the uterus has been severely weakened by ablation, it may tear during pregnancy, creating a life-threatening emergency for both the mother and baby.
If IVF after an ablation feels like a daunting uphill battle, surrogacy may just be the answer you’ve been searching for.
Why Surrogacy After an Endometrial Ablation Is a Safer Option
If you’re considering your options after an ablation, surrogacy is often a much safer and more reliable route than IVF.
With gestational surrogacy, your embryo can be transferred to a healthy surrogate’s uterus, one that hasn’t been affected by an ablation. This means you can avoid the risks associated with a damaged uterine lining, giving you a much better chance at having a healthy pregnancy.
Unlike IVF after an ablation, which comes with a lot of complications due to a compromised uterus, surrogacy allows you to skip those worries altogether.
Surrogates go through a careful screening process to make sure they’re physically and emotionally ready for the journey. They meet certain criteria, like having a history of healthy pregnancies and undergo psychological evaluations to ensure they’re prepared for this big step.
Getting Started With the Surrogacy Process
If you’re considering surrogacy after an endometrial ablation, we’re here to help. If you already have embryos created, we can begin the matching process right away.
Our team will guide you through every step, from finding a surrogate to navigating the medical and legal aspects of the journey.
Why surrogacy makes sense:
- Lower risk: Unlike IVF after an ablation, surrogacy eliminates the potential for miscarriage, growth restriction and other serious complications.
- Higher success rates: With a healthy surrogate carrying the pregnancy, the likelihood of a successful outcome is much greater.
- Faster path to parenthood: Our agency is dedicated to helping you grow your family quickly by offering fast surrogate match times. We prioritize getting you matched with a surrogate as soon as possible.
Learn more about how we ensure parenthood is right around the corner through our streamlined matching process.
Getting Started With the Surrogacy Process
If you’re considering surrogacy after an endometrial ablation, we’re here to help. If you already have embryos created, we can begin the matching process right away.
Ready to take the next step toward your family-building journey? We’re here to guide you every step of the way, from matching with the perfect surrogate to supporting you through the legal and emotional aspects. Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced surrogacy specialists.