A Baby After a Vasectomy - Is It Still Possible?

Can you still have a baby after a vasectomy? Since a vasectomy is regarded as a permanent surgical procedure for birth control, instances of couples having a child after a vasectomy are extremely uncommon. And because there is no reduction in the sexual pleasure experienced by a man after a vasectomy and because it is known to be almost ‘foolproof’, it has become a popular option for men who do not want to have children anymore.

If you do change your mind and want to have a baby after a vasectomy, it is still possible up to three months after the surgery. This is because there is still some remaining sperm and the patient does not become completely sterile immediately after the vasectomy is performed. You can bring a semen sample to your doctor so he or she can check if sperm is still present and if it is still feasible to have a child after a vasectomy.

Once this three month mark has passed and your doctor has cleared your semen of remaining sperm, it becomes increasingly difficult to conceive a child after a vasectomy.

What to Do If You Want a Baby After a Vasectomy

The first option is to get a vasectomy reversal, which is costly and not one hundred percent effective. Since this involves microsurgery, getting a good urologist to perform the operation is critical.

A reversal of a vasectomy is only ideal for those patients who are less than forty years of age and who have undergone a vasectomy less than ten years before. Aside from this, you will only be able to have a baby one to two years after the reversal of the vasectomy was done.

Another option if you want to have a baby after a vasectomy is sperm retrieval and in vitro fertilization. In sperm retrieval, sperm will be obtained from the testes and then frozen. In vitro fertilization occurs when an egg is taken from the ovary, injected with the sperm and then returned to the uterus. In about two weeks, you can find out if you already have a child after a vasectomy.

Compared to a reversal of a vasectomy, sperm retrieval and in vitro fertilization is a far more effective and less risky way to have a baby after a vasectomy. There is also no need to wait for a long period before you can try to have a child after a vasectomy as long as the sperm has already been retrieved. On the other hand, in vitro fertilization will be highly dependent on the age of the woman since there is a lower success rate for older females.

If you are concerned about the costs of both procedures for having a baby after a vasectomy, insurance companies will more likely cover the expenses associated with in vitro fertilization. A reversal of a vasectomy is considered an elective procedure, which is not covered by health insurance.