| If a woman has heavy menstrual bleeding, she may | | | | removes most, if not all, of the uterine lining. For a |
| be offered a procedure called endometrial ablation at | | | | healthy pregnancy to happen, a woman needs a nice, |
| some point. This is where the inside of the uterine | | | | thick uterine lining for the fetus to attach. This is |
| lining is removed using either electric current, | | | | why even if an egg is fertilized (and as this happens |
| microwave, freezing or laser. In rare cases it might | | | | in the fallopian tubes there is nothing to stop it), a |
| even be surgically removed. This is typically a last | | | | pregnancy can not really proceed. |
| resort for women who have experienced long-term | | | | Without this lining, pregnancy would be a very rare |
| problems with heavy bleeding. | | | | occurence and usually happens only due to the fact |
| If a woman bleeds too much each month, she can | | | | that not all cells or lining are actually removed during |
| develop conditions such as anemia that can cause | | | | the procedure. However, it can happen and there can |
| further harm to her health. Therefore, for some | | | | be some pretty serious consequences if it does. |
| women endometrial ablation becomes the only option. | | | | These pregnancies are considered to be very high |
| Typically, these women have also tried things such as | | | | risk due to the fact that they can cause the placenta |
| birth control pills to lessen the amount of bleeding | | | | to not adhere normally to the side of the uterine wall. |
| they experience each month. Unfortunately, some | | | | This can later cause hemorrhage before or even |
| women do not tolerate birth control pills very well | | | | during delivery. These pregnancies are also at risk for |
| due to their side effects. | | | | pre-term delivery as well. |
| One of the main considerations that a woman should | | | | Because of the enormous risks a woman would face |
| take into account before deciding to have this | | | | if she becomes pregnant after endometrial ablation, |
| procedure is whether or not she plans to have any | | | | she needs to have a thorough conversation with her |
| more children. Often, women are so concerned about | | | | doctor before making any decisions. Aside from |
| stopping the bleeding but they may not think ahead | | | | these risk factors in case of a pregnancy, there are |
| to their desires for a larger family later or to possible | | | | also risks to having the procedure itself so it is |
| changed relationships. | | | | important to know all the facts. A tubal ligation may |
| The concern here is that endometrial ablation | | | | be the suggested course of action. |