I am 32, I have 3 children and my tubes are tied.  I am having pregnancy symptoms. Sore swollen breasts, leg cramps, nausea... What are the chances I am pregnant?  I am still a couple days from my regular cycle to begin so is it to early to do a test?
Hi, Welcome to Chat Doctor. I am Chat Doctor. I will be answering your concerns today. Tying the tubes (Tubal ligation) is a very effective method of contraception. But there is a small chance of method failure. The failure rate depends on type of tubal ligation and your age. Failure occurs either because the procedure was not performed correctly or because of recanalization (the cut ends of tubes join together in continuity). In the first two years after surgery the chance of pregnancy is 1 in 200. The method failure does occur even after that.  Later on it is up to 1-2 per 100. About one third of these pregnancies are ectopic (pregnancy outside uterus usually in the tubes) pregnancies. So if the pregnancy test is positive follow-up ultrasound to confirm the location of the pregnancy is very important. The symptoms you are having can be premenstrual symptoms also. The earliest you can do your pregnancy test is 3 days before the due date (for 28-30 days cycle). So get a pregnancy test done accordingly. I hope this is helpful. If you have further concerns, do contact me through Chat Doctor.