I am 36. I have gotten pregnant twice, and both pregnancies were ectopic. My right tube was not able to be saved, but on my second ectopic, the doctors caught it early and repaired the damage on the left side. They told me I could conceive again on that side. It has been five years now, and nothing. What could be wrong? We are so heartbroken. Why did the doctor say I could still conceive, when it's pretty obvious that they were wrong?

Cissi

First, do not overlook the obvious. Before you assume the problem is with your tube, you need to consider other fertility factors. Has your physician performed a semen analysis for your partner? Has he or she checked your fallopian tubes by HSG X-ray to see whether the left side is indeed open? Have you been checked for other conditions that may be interfering with your ability to conceive?

After two ectopic pregnancies, however, the likelihood of success is quite low. Your physician most likely noted that the external portion of the tube appeared normal and that few pelvic adhesions were present. But even if things look normal, statistics show that fewer than 33 percent of women in this situation will conceive a normal pregnancy inside the uterus. And, if you do conceive, the likelihood of another ectopic pregnancy may be greater than 25 percent. The most cost-effective option for you to consider is in vitro fertilization.