Advice on Birth Control

Have you thought of getting the Mirena or para guard put in instead. I got the para guard put in right after my second child. You can get it taken out at any time and get pregnant right away, or it lasts 10 years and then at that point I can go a more permanent route. Just an idea.

I haven't done this, but my OB suggested it and I did a bit of research. There was a lot of mixed feelings and different information out there, and I decided to hold off on getting it done. Basically, it is a coil that is inserted up into your fallopian tube. The presence of the coil causes irritation which causes scarring which causes blockage of the tube. It takes most people 3 months to have the tubes become blocked, but some people need 6 months. You need to make sure that you are not allergic to any of the contrast medium (dyes) because that's what they use to confirm blockage. Basically, I've read that sometimes the coils fall out the tube (either coming back through the uterus and literally falling out the vagina, or going out the top of the fallopian tube and floating around in your abdominal cavity), and sometimes they stay in the right place, but the tubes don't block, which increases your risk for an ectopic pregnancy. I've also heard that your periods can be a lot heavier, but some of that seemed to be people comparing their post-essure periods to those they had when on the pill. That wouldn't be a fair comparison because periods on the pill are not as heavy. Anyway, do a lot of homework on your own before you decide to do it. I felt like my OB was a little "gung-ho" and it made me uneasy. Good luck!

I had this done in August of 2006. I've been extremely happy with it. I was awake for the entire procedure and it was uncomfortable, not bad at all. The dye test was very simple and quick, and discomfort at all. Make sure the OB performing the procedure is experienced. You don't have to go to your own OB for the procedure. You can find someone else to do it.

Good luck!

I work in women's health, so I am familiar with the Essure process. It is avery quick procedure that can be done as an outpatient procedure or in the office. Some offices are not yet doing them in house. The procedure itself is done through a hysteroscope: a small microscope instrument that is inserted through the cervix to visualize the inside of the uterus and the openings to the fallopian tubes. The Essure device is then inserted into the tube and a very small coil is deployed into the ostia (Opening). With time the woman's body will cause tissue to grow into and around the coil thus blocking the tube permanently. There will be a follow up HSG (Dye test/xray) at ~ 6 months to make sure there is 100% occlusion of the tubes. The procedure is done with either local anesthesia if done in the office or may be done with general anesthesia if done at the hospital. If it is done under local anesthesia there really is no recuperation time, you can go back to work or regular activities immediately. If it is done under general anesthesia of course you will need extra time for the effects of the sedation to wear off.
If you have an allergy to nickel you cannot have the Essure procedure done.
I hope this helps! V.

I think your kids are still too young for you to think of permanant birth control. I can't believe your doctor would suggest it. If I were you I would do something else less permanant for a few years.

Hi J.,
I have only heard of this one other time. My co-worker had it done. She said it easy to do, but when she went in for her checkup,(I believe 6 months later) the Dr. discovered that she was still releasing eggs, and could still get pregnant!!! She was NOT happy. I don't have all of the details, but this is what I know about her. Good luck!

J.,
I too looked into this after my daughter was born in February. This procedure is NOT reversible. If you are allergic or sensitive to copper do not get it. I was looking into the paragard IUD the 10 year one but I used to have a sensitivity to cheap earrings when I was a kid and my ob/gyn said even if we did a allergy test and it came back that I wasn't allergic I still could have a chance of a reaction to the product since I had a sensitivity prior. I didn't want to take the chance with the paragard so I chose Mirena. The essure procedure I believe have copper and my doc told me that if I had an allergic reaction to it that I could need a hysterectomy to remove the coils. So, that being said I didn't want to risk that obviously. I weighed the risks and decided that with the mirena the worst that could happen would be it could perforate the uterus, but surgery could remove it and I wouldn't need a hysterectomy. Same with paragard. But with the essure, the worst that could happen would be a hysterectomy and I don't think I could take that risk. My doc said he would rather perform a tubal than for me to have this essure procedure done. There are only a few doctors in this area that do it. I would make an appointment with your ob/gyn and discuss it further maybe it's a good choice for you it just wasn't for me. Good luck!

I had this done at the end of December. I have three boys and knew that we were "done." I only recommend it if you are absolutely sure you are done. It is considered sterilization; there is no going back. The procedure itself was so easy. I had absolutely no pain or cramping after the procedure. They do put you completely out for the implantation of the coils. I have not gone back for my re-check yet but will be doing so soon and therefore can't comment on whether or not that process is uncomforable. I would also recommend checking with your insurance about coverage. My husband is self-employed and our coverage is very different than other group plans. They only covered $500 of this. Our bills were over $10,000 without insurance. We were able to negotiate a lower bill with the ob/gyn, however. Good luck!

J.

I had the Essure procedure done 7 months after my last child. I am so happy with the results. The initial implantation of the coils was unremarkable....no pain, no bleeding and no limitations whatsoever. You must follow up for a further diagnostic exam a min of 3 months later to make sure your tubes are 100% blocked. This test was mildly uncomfortable yet very brief. My advice to you would be to make sure that the doctor performing the procedure is experienced (ask for how many procedures he/she have performed). Overall, I am thrilled and have not had one single complication or regret. Feel free to send me a PM if you have any further questions. Best of luck, Michelle

I am also considering this procedure. I am actually going to the doctor this afternoon to talk about it. I don't actually know anybody who had had it done. One big advantage for me is due to insurance. My Dr does it in the office and they can bill it as an office visit. I have a $20 copay for office visit. That is opposed to the 80/20 I would have to pay if I had a lap tubal as a surgical procedure. I am sure it could end up cost a thousand or so by the time you factor in anesthesia etc. I'll be interested in seeing responses from those who have had it done. Is there any pain involved??

Hi J.,

congrats on your new baby :)

I have only heard that there is risk of having to have them placed again shortly after the initial placement, that sometimes it won't 'take'... and I have heard that the cramping is just as bad as post partum cramps - bleh.

hopefully there are some mom's who have 'good things' to say... I hate to be the negative one. :(

Good luck!

This is a great question - I also want to know Thanks for asking

I had the Essure procedure in Sep 2007. I think it is a great option and have recommended it to others! Unlike some of the posts, I was completely awake during both portions of the proceedure. Only given something to help relax (valium type...sorry I don't remember exactly what). The insertion was done in my dr.'s office and I could watch on screen as the coils were inserted in the tubes. (kind of cool I thought) My only issues were some slight (period caliber) cramping after the insertion proceedure and a reaction to the illuminating fluid used for the x-ray to confirm 3 mos later. I was directed to take Benedryl before to combat my iodine allergy, but it wasn't 100%. If I didn't have an iodine allergy, the follow up for confirmation would have been as simple as a regular check up. My friend had the proceedure done also and had no cramping or complications whatsoever.
I hope this helps! Good luck, whatever you decide.

Congrats on the baby. This is the first I have heard of the procedure. Another option: my husband opted to have a vassectomy. The procedure (non-surgical) took about 20 minutes. He said he was comfortable (also on valium) during the procedure and had some mild discomfort for about a day. The incision was about a half inch (where the tubes are pulled out of detatched) and healed quickly. I joke with him that it sounds like his experience was nicer than my yearly exam! Just got the results of his follow-up test (first of 2) showing no sign of the swimmers. Anyway, just thought I'd something else to think about :) Good luck!