Can I still get pregnant 17 years after having Filshie Clips and one coming off?

Seventeen years ago at the time of my third caesarean I was sterilised with Filshie clips.  Seven months ago I wrenched my stomach and developed a discharging sinus by my caesarean scar.  This has not closed up and a CT scan showed a 27 x 9 mm cavity underneath so my Surgeon performed an excision of sinus operation yesterday. At that time he found one of my Filshie clips in the "hole" but had to leave the hospital straight away and I did not get a chance to speak to him. I will not be seeing him again for 4 weeks.  Can you please tell me how likely it is that I could get pregnant.  I am 46 years old.  I would be very grateful for your answer as I am now quite anxious about it all.  Thank you.

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
I would be freaking out too!  It is quite unlikely that you will get pregnant after all of these years.  Age alone ( I beg your pardon) is a factor in your favor.  Also, even if the clip did come off the tube, the tube was probably scarred closed by the surgery.

If you want to know for sure, I would suggest to a patient of my own, that she have an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) done. This is a dye study that checks to see if the tubes are open or blocked.  If I were you, I would contact the MD that did the procedure (if possible) and explain the situation.  Maybe he/she could arrange the procedure at a reduced cost.

IF you don't want a procedure, you could use birth control.


Hope this helps!
Dr B