Blocked tube - can't get pregnant

Lara Alana

New Member
Hi everyone! I am new here. I am 32, married for almost 8 years and never got pregnant! Went to KKH for checks last year and was told my right tube is blocked and badly infected. I was asked to go for a laparoscopy to remove the infection and thereafter, try for IVF.

Anyone with similar experience? What's next? How much is IVF?

Please advise. Greatly appreciated!
 


Hi everyone! I am new here. I am 32, married for almost 8 years and never got pregnant! Went to KKH for checks last year and was told my right tube is blocked and badly infected. I was asked to go for a laparoscopy to remove the infection and thereafter, try for IVF.

Anyone with similar experience? What's next? How much is IVF?

Please advise. Greatly appreciated!

Hi, my fren has a blocked tube on one side too. She sought 2 fertility specialist opinion and both tell her to do laparoscopy or IVF. She went for IVF becoz she didnt want to waste time and during IVF she was told her eggs quality was also bad, so chances quite low. Her hubby troops ok. Her IVF failed but she didnt try again becoz IVF was very exp according to her minus off the subsidy. So she tried for natural normally and went tcm to 'tiao' her body. Within 6mths she actually got pregnant. Now she is still seeing the tcm for 'an tai yao' which she will take 1 hr apart from her gynae medicine.

Mayb u can try tcm for 3-6mths, if no results then u go IVF?
 
Hi!

Thanks for the reply. So yr friend did not remove the blocked tube at all and managed to get pregnant with TCM? Can recommend me the TCM. I am non-chinese so I am not so familiar with TCM.

Thanks!
 
Not all Tcm works for everyone. I would suggest not to waste time and do lap surgery to clean up your inside. Many conceive after surgery. Tubes block depends on how severe. Some tubes may have toxic that affect embryo implantation even if u do ivf. Now with govt grant at 6k and medisave to claim u don't have to come out cash for ivf. Ivf success depends on age. The longer u drag the lower the success rate.
 
Hi!

Thanks for the reply. So yr friend did not remove the blocked tube at all and managed to get pregnant with TCM? Can recommend me the TCM. I am non-chinese so I am not so familiar with TCM.

Thanks!

I know her TCM is at AMK. I will ask her for details then you decide which is best for you - IVF or lap surgery or TCM. You mentioned that you are 32, so if u decide to try TCM give yourself a timeframe. If TCM doesn't work, faster proceed to second alternative. Like what Jumbo girl said, IVF depends on age and TCM will also depend on individual's body acceptance to the treatment.
 
I did lapo to unblock 1 tube.8 mths down the road, still not pregnant.some do have success stories after lapo & for some like me just have to keep going!!
My sister sees the AMK tcm..she does acupuncture & gives med.Her case is like yours..but she's trying all these before jumping into anything..
Good Luck!
 
There is still hope as long as u have 1 working tube..apparently we ovulate on alternate each cycle!
 
Not all Tcm works for everyone. I would suggest not to waste time and do lap surgery to clean up your inside. Many conceive after surgery. Tubes block depends on how severe. Some tubes may have toxic that affect embryo implantation even if u do ivf. Now with govt grant at 6k and medisave to claim u don't have to come out cash for ivf. Ivf success depends on age. The longer u drag the lower the success rate.

Thanks Jumbo girl.. I have heard that IVF in SG is very expensive even for first timer. $$ is deterring me from IVF cos I am afraid I wont be able to afford it.
 
I did lapo to unblock 1 tube.8 mths down the road, still not pregnant.some do have success stories after lapo & for some like me just have to keep going!!
My sister sees the AMK tcm..she does acupuncture & gives med.Her case is like yours..but she's trying all these before jumping into anything..
Good Luck!

Hi Wedelia, the gynae said my right tube is pretty much useless hence I am thinking of having it removed completely. Didn't know there are others out there facing the same problem as me. I wont say it's 'comforting' but at least I know there are ppl who understands what I am gg through as compared to those busybodies who only know to ask you why still no baby.
All the best to u and ur sis too!
 
Hi!

Thanks for the reply. So yr friend did not remove the blocked tube at all and managed to get pregnant with TCM? Can recommend me the TCM. I am non-chinese so I am not so familiar with TCM.

Thanks!

Hi Lara, my fren goes to this TCM practitioner called Wu Liping.

Blk 408 AMK Ave 10 #01-789 S(560408)
Tel: 64560789
Wed & Sun - 930am to 5pm only. (Lunch time 1230 to 2pm)

My fren goes on sun, so she said waiting time is long. She usually will go in the morning around 10am and take queue number for afternoon session so she will be the first patient for afternoon, then she go have brunch/lunch with her hubby and goes back to clinic before 2pm.
 
My right tube is partially blocked but I’m continuing to ttc natural. I bfped few x before.

I got bfp in April 2012 with the help of Dr Wu Liping. I couldn't stand the waiting so I always visited on weekday morning.
 
My right tube is partially blocked but I’m continuing to ttc natural. I bfped few x before.

I got bfp in April 2012 with the help of Dr Wu Liping. I couldn't stand the waiting so I always visited on weekday morning.

Sorry but what's BFP?
 
Hi Lara, I can understand your situation very much, cos mine is similar to you, or if not worst off. Last year i went for check-up at Raffles Hospital after I've not been getting preggy since 2 years after my marriage. Did HSG (i'm sure you've done it by now since you know that you have one side of the tube blocked), blood test and sperm count for my hubby. And in the end, my results was quite disappointing. My hormone level and blood test result was ok, but two sides of my fallopian tubes were blocked. As hubby's result was also slightly on the low side, the gynae immediately recommend us IVF.

After consulting my TCM, she recommend me to unblock my tubes, as for my hubby, it's normal to be slightly low cos it's sample submitted to the hospital, so the "feeling" ain't there, thus the result. She said that if go for IVF, they will be inject hormones into our body and etc, which will in turn "harm" our body when we grow older. And also the baby usually will be premature.

In the end, we went to polyclinic, got a referral letter to KKH and I did laparoscopy in mid November last year. It's a key-hole surgery, and I recovered rather fast, about 1 month or so. You'll be put to sleep when they are operating on you. You can request the doctor at the ward to give you hospitalization leave up to 30 days before you discharge. Total bill was $2500+, after medisave deduction ($2k), it's around $500+ cash. If you want to claim using your insurance, please tell the gynae in advance, so that he/she do not put infertility as the diagnostic.

Now I've more or less recovered already, with the help of my wonderful TCM at the same time regulating my body for me before and after my surgery. If you're interested in my TCM, she's Dr Su from Funan (Bukit Batok).
 
Hi Lara, I can understand your situation very much, cos mine is similar to you, or if not worst off. Last year i went for check-up at Raffles Hospital after I've not been getting preggy since 2 years after my marriage. Did HSG (i'm sure you've done it by now since you know that you have one side of the tube blocked), blood test and sperm count for my hubby. And in the end, my results was quite disappointing. My hormone level and blood test result was ok, but two sides of my fallopian tubes were blocked. As hubby's result was also slightly on the low side, the gynae immediately recommend us IVF.

After consulting my TCM, she recommend me to unblock my tubes, as for my hubby, it's normal to be slightly low cos it's sample submitted to the hospital, so the "feeling" ain't there, thus the result. She said that if go for IVF, they will be inject hormones into our body and etc, which will in turn "harm" our body when we grow older. And also the baby usually will be premature.

In the end, we went to polyclinic, got a referral letter to KKH and I did laparoscopy in mid November last year. It's a key-hole surgery, and I recovered rather fast, about 1 month or so. You'll be put to sleep when they are operating on you. You can request the doctor at the ward to give you hospitalization leave up to 30 days before you discharge. Total bill was $2500+, after medisave deduction ($2k), it's around $500+ cash. If you want to claim using your insurance, please tell the gynae in advance, so that he/she do not put infertility as the diagnostic.

Now I've more or less recovered already, with the help of my wonderful TCM at the same time regulating my body for me before and after my surgery. If you're interested in my TCM, she's Dr Su from Funan (Bukit Batok).

Hi Asumi, I am so sorry to hear that. I hope u are doing better now. Anyways we can have a private chat? I have a few enquiries as I am unsure of what I should do next.
 
Hi Lara, I can understand your situation very much, cos mine is similar to you, or if not worst off. Last year i went for check-up at Raffles Hospital after I've not been getting preggy since 2 years after my marriage. Did HSG (i'm sure you've done it by now since you know that you have one side of the tube blocked), blood test and sperm count for my hubby. And in the end, my results was quite disappointing. My hormone level and blood test result was ok, but two sides of my fallopian tubes were blocked. As hubby's result was also slightly on the low side, the gynae immediately recommend us IVF.

After consulting my TCM, she recommend me to unblock my tubes, as for my hubby, it's normal to be slightly low cos it's sample submitted to the hospital, so the "feeling" ain't there, thus the result. She said that if go for IVF, they will be inject hormones into our body and etc, which will in turn "harm" our body when we grow older. And also the baby usually will be premature.

In the end, we went to polyclinic, got a referral letter to KKH and I did laparoscopy in mid November last year. It's a key-hole surgery, and I recovered rather fast, about 1 month or so. You'll be put to sleep when they are operating on you. You can request the doctor at the ward to give you hospitalization leave up to 30 days before you discharge. Total bill was $2500+, after medisave deduction ($2k), it's around $500+ cash. If you want to claim using your insurance, please tell the gynae in advance, so that he/she do not put infertility as the diagnostic.

Now I've more or less recovered already, with the help of my wonderful TCM at the same time regulating my body for me before and after my surgery. If you're interested in my TCM, she's Dr Su from Funan (Bukit Batok).
Hey babe can PM me ur tcm add?? Thanks
 
Not all Tcm works for everyone. I would suggest not to waste time and do lap surgery to clean up your inside. Many conceive after surgery. Tubes block depends on how severe. Some tubes may have toxic that affect embryo implantation even if u do ivf. Now with govt grant at 6k and medisave to claim u don't have to come out cash for ivf. Ivf success depends on age. The longer u drag the lower the success rate.

Hi Jumbo girl, you mean on top of medisave there is a government grant?? Could you advise me on more details?
 
Yes on top of medisave there is govt grant of 6.3k which is a lot of money. It can cover the ivf procedure n U no need to come out cash except for dr consultation n some bt amt. That's all.
I forgot to add govt grant is only for public hospital.
 
hi @Lara Alana and @CTTC

IVF in Sg for a fresh cycle ranges from S$10K to S$20K. The government will provide different levels of subsidies for Singaporeans/PRs seeking treatment at KKH, NUH and SGH. Read here. For a Singaporean couple, the estimated bill (based on low dosage of stimulation drugs) is S$10K less 75% (limited to S$6300) = S$3K+ which I utilized from Medisave.

If you have frozen embryoes left from the fresh cycle, you can continue using them for frozen cycles (or we call them FET). The frozen cycles are cheaper and range from S$1K to S$2K. They are also subsidized and the balance is payable by Medisave.

By going for public hospitals, you can potentially avoid cash payments and utilize your Medisave savings. Just make sure that you have sufficient Medisave to cover the above sums.

IVF is not "sure strike". I started IVF in 2010 and was lucky to BFP in 2011. Other sisters have tried for a long time, even up to 8 years. Time is not on our side. If you really wish to experience parenthood, I suggest that you seek professional advice on the next course of action. Wishing you all the best :)

Thanks Jumbo girl.. I have heard that IVF in SG is very expensive even for first timer. $$ is deterring me from IVF cos I am afraid I wont be able to afford it.
 
Hi @Jumbo girl and @bunnymuimui, thank you so much for the information! I think I will make an appointment with kkh soon, as I will only know after 3 months if my tubes will be unblocked. And if they unfortunately are blocked, I can go straight to ivf. As I understand the first few appointments are just to understand the process...
 
Actually, if you're under 33, I would suggest you to unblock your tubes rather than jump into IVF straight. Conceiving naturally would be better for both mother and baby, cos you minus away all the hormone jabs and such, worst thing is the emotional stress that you'll be going thru. Plus going for IVF isn't cheap and doesn't guarantee that you'll be pregnant either.

Probably you might wanna consider doing lapo first, try out naturally for like 6-12 months before deciding going to IVF. I heard many cases of people conceiving naturally within 3 months after they've done laposcopy, and I'm one of them too.

I'm turning 28 this year, had both tubes blocked and did lapo just last nov. With the help of my TCM to recover from the surgery faster, currently I'm already 3 months pregnant.
 
Actually, if you're under 33, I would suggest you to unblock your tubes rather than jump into IVF straight. Conceiving naturally would be better for both mother and baby, cos you minus away all the hormone jabs and such, worst thing is the emotional stress that you'll be going thru. Plus going for IVF isn't cheap and doesn't guarantee that you'll be pregnant either.

Probably you might wanna consider doing lapo first, try out naturally for like 6-12 months before deciding going to IVF. I heard many cases of people conceiving naturally within 3 months after they've done laposcopy, and I'm one of them too.

I'm turning 28 this year, had both tubes blocked and did lapo just last nov. With the help of my TCM to recover from the surgery faster, currently I'm already 3 months pregnant.

Hi Asumi, I would love to do that but I have a race against time as I have adenomyo and my gynae mentioned the longer I drag, the possibility of my adenomyo will grow bigger and affect implantation of embryo... Did u also had the condition of adenomyosis which is a form of endometriosis?
 
Hi Asumi, I would love to do that but I have a race against time as I have adenomyo and my gynae mentioned the longer I drag, the possibility of my adenomyo will grow bigger and affect implantation of embryo... Did u also had the condition of adenomyosis which is a form of endometriosis?
Is it possible to remove the adenomyo thru lapo? Mine is the thickening of the uterus wall which caused the blockage of my tubes.
 
Is it possible to remove the adenomyo thru lapo? Mine is the thickening of the uterus wall which caused the blockage of my tubes.

I have just done a lapo but gynae said its impossible to remove totally cos its attached to the womb. And possibility of growing back... Sigh. How did you unblock your tubes?? Doc say wait for 3 months, and see if tubes will be unblock... Sigh
 
Hi, I had one of the tubes removed 18 yrs ago but after consuming some chinese medicine , I managed to get pregnant after 3 mths . My gynae was so surprised as he says he has been gynae for 20 yrs n this is the first case that he had ever seen getting pregnant within such a short peroid of time. Currently I have 3 kids, I think tcm is a fastest way to help u to get pregnant so dont worry about removing one tube.
 
Hi, I had one of the tubes removed 18 yrs ago but after consuming some chinese medicine , I managed to get pregnant after 3 mths . My gynae was so surprised as he says he has been gynae for 20 yrs n this is the first case that he had ever seen getting pregnant within such a short peroid of time. Currently I have 3 kids, I think tcm is a fastest way to help u to get pregnant so dont worry about removing one tube.

Hi @jesslyn_liew, which TCM do you go to? You removed one tube because only one was blocked and the other was not? Did u have endometriosis or adenomyosis too?
 
I couldn't remember clearly as it is 18 yrs ago. I just remember that my case is very urgent at that time as one side of the tube is badly infected n I was pregnant at the same time n that was ectopic, that was in the other tube n the reason that cause ectopic was there's a benign tumour in the tube that block the sperm from going to the womb so the doctor needs a emergency operations to remove one tube n at the same time, stop the pregnancy. The tcm whom I consulted is at Yio chu kang rd , Highland Centre
 
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I have just done a lapo but gynae said its impossible to remove totally cos its attached to the womb. And possibility of growing back... Sigh. How did you unblock your tubes?? Doc say wait for 3 months, and see if tubes will be unblock... Sigh
Usually doctor will tell you the worst case scenario. I got my tubes unblocked by laposcopy, exactly how, i am not that sure. It's just that after surgery, the doctor use a dye to check if it's still blocked or not right on the spot.
 
I couldn't remember clearly as it is 18 yrs ago. I just remember that my case is very urgent at that time as one side of the tube is badly infected n I was pregnant at the same time n that was ectopic, that was in the other tube n the reason that cause ectopic was there's a benign tumour in the tube that block the sperm from going to the womb so the doctor needs a emergency operations to remove one tube n at the same time, stop the pregnancy. The tcm whom I consulted is at Yio chu kang rd , Highland Centre

I see I see, thanks!
 
Usually doctor will tell you the worst case scenario. I got my tubes unblocked by laposcopy, exactly how, i am not that sure. It's just that after surgery, the doctor use a dye to check if it's still blocked or not right on the spot.

I just removed my adenomyo and doc said only can check after 3 months. But funny why she did not suggest the unblocking of tubes since she removed the adenomyo via lapo too. And after 3 months she suggest if never unblock just go for ivf. She did not suggest to me lapo to unblock tubes... How is the procedure like and is it 100% chances?
 
Hmm...perhaps you wanna seek advise from another doctor? I went to KKH and the doctor whom attended to me was a young lady. Her name is Dr Tan Tse Yuen.
 
Hmm...perhaps you wanna seek advise from another doctor? I went to KKH and the doctor whom attended to me was a young lady. Her name is Dr Tan Tse Yuen.

I will ask my Gynae on the next visit. Thanks for the doc recommendation!
 
In the end, we went to polyclinic, got a referral letter to KKH and I did laparoscopy in mid November last year. It's a key-hole surgery, and I recovered rather fast, about 1 month or so. You'll be put to sleep when they are operating on you. You can request the doctor at the ward to give you hospitalization leave up to 30 days before you discharge. Total bill was $2500+, after medisave deduction ($2k), it's around $500+ cash. If you want to claim using your insurance, please tell the gynae in advance, so that he/she do not put infertility as the diagnostic.

Now I've more or less recovered already, with the help of my wonderful TCM at the same time regulating my body for me before and after my surgery. If you're interested in my TCM, she's Dr Su from Funan (Bukit Batok).

Hi asumi,

Thanks a lot for your helpful guide. I also got 2 tubes blocked (one is totally, other is partially), I knew it 2 years ago but still hope to get baby through natural way. It's been 2 years, I can not wait for more, hic. Now I decide to seek for help (laparoscopy then may be IVF). I've just booked an appointment with polyclinic (start all over again, since it's been 2 years).
I just want to know in case I have to do the laparoscopy, how can I claim using my insurance? From the very first appointment with polyclinic, do I need to tell doctor that dont put infertility as the diagnostic, or just when to see the doctor at KKH? Even if so, I may be asked (by the insurance company) why to do the laparoscopy if it's not because of infertility, hic.

Thank you very much for your help in advanced and wish you the best luck!
 
Hi Jennifer, i did lapo 2 yrs ago due to a blocked tube.if the diagnosis is put as infertility insurer will unlikelycover this. If you have other diagnosis identified other than the blocked tubes and this requires a lapo you might want to ask your doc to put that instead.
 
Hi asumi,

Thanks a lot for your helpful guide. I also got 2 tubes blocked (one is totally, other is partially), I knew it 2 years ago but still hope to get baby through natural way. It's been 2 years, I can not wait for more, hic. Now I decide to seek for help (laparoscopy then may be IVF). I've just booked an appointment with polyclinic (start all over again, since it's been 2 years).
I just want to know in case I have to do the laparoscopy, how can I claim using my insurance? From the very first appointment with polyclinic, do I need to tell doctor that dont put infertility as the diagnostic, or just when to see the doctor at KKH? Even if so, I may be asked (by the insurance company) why to do the laparoscopy if it's not because of infertility, hic.

Thank you very much for your help in advanced and wish you the best luck!
Hi Jennifer,
Ive done all that u intend to last yr. And I just successfully got pregnant with the help of ivf.
Firstly, blocked tubes cannot be unblock (As toldby the Dr who did keyhole surgery for me on 2015 May) i was told the entrance of my tubes looks fine, but couldnt find the exact cause of infertility. Anw.. diagnosis should be indicated as 'pelvic inflammtion' something like that i/o any description to do with infertility.

Lastly, if both tubes are blocked, i suggest you not to waste time. Just go for IVF bcos there is no way we can concieve naturally with both blocked tubes.

Hope this helps.
 
Hi Jennifer,
Ive done all that u intend to last yr. And I just successfully got pregnant with the help of ivf.
Firstly, blocked tubes cannot be unblock (As toldby the Dr who did keyhole surgery for me on 2015 May) i was told the entrance of my tubes looks fine, but couldnt find the exact cause of infertility. Anw.. diagnosis should be indicated as 'pelvic inflammtion' something like that i/o any description to do with infertility.

Lastly, if both tubes are blocked, i suggest you not to waste time. Just go for IVF bcos there is no way we can concieve naturally with both blocked tubes.

Hope this helps.

Hi kukuangelia,
Thanks a lot for your sharing.
Big congrats on your pregnancy, so happy for you. :)

I'm going to polyclinic today to get a reference to NUH to officially step into the difficult journey. :(

I have a small fibroid (1x2cm) also, hope that it'll work for claiming insurance.

Best wishes to you and your happy pregnancy!
 
Hi kukuangelia,
Thanks a lot for your sharing.
Big congrats on your pregnancy, so happy for you. :)

I'm going to polyclinic today to get a reference to NUH to officially step into the difficult journey. :(

I have a small fibroid (1x2cm) also, hope that it'll work for claiming insurance.

Best wishes to you and your happy pregnancy!

Hi jennifer,
Thanks alot & you're most welcome.
Btw.. im with Prof PC Wong from NUH. The whole process of my Egg Retrieval to my Embryo Transfer was a smooth one as compare to the surgery i had last yr(so painful)

If NUH Dr says fibroids will not affect ur IVF, i rather you try 1st IVF since Gov subsidise 3 times of IVF. I also have a 3cm 3CM horrrrr ovarian cyst & endo b4 i decidedto do keyhole surgery last yr.
 
Hi ladies,I got 2 blocked tubes but not so keen to go through IVF currently.I was thinking of going to a TCM to try to unblock my tubes and conceive naturally.Any suggestions?
 

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