Tubal Ligation, Copper IUD, or Essure?

Updated on May 18, 2011
D.T. asks from Lansdowne, PA
11 answers

Hello Mommies! I apologize if this is a repeat, but I haven't seen my question come up yet. I'm due with my 4th (and final) child in two weeks!! I've signed papers for a Tubal whether I go natural (like usual) or need a C-section. If I do end up with a C-section then it's a no brainer, but if I do go naturally I'm wondering if I need such a surgery the day after giving birth?
Being on the pill started to give me migraines so I'm looking for permanent solutions that don't have hormones!! And of course everything on the internet is scary! Only bad reviews or "too good to be true" testimonials. Soooo, I want to hear personal experiences from you all. Which one do you have? Are you happy with your decision? Pros and cons? Etc. Give it all to me!! Thank you!

P.S. My husband is having a V as well b/c I've had way too many friends with post procedure babies! We're doubling up! No judging please. :o)

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I have the pargard which is the copper iud. I like it because i do not have to deal with hormones. I would say that it has it pros and cons. the pros are that i do not have to take a pill everyday. the other thing is that it has been a year now and it seems to work. the bad thing is that my periods are heavier than they were before. it lasts for 10 years which is also good. good luck

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Essure is 100%. They run dye through the tubes after it is healed and if any gets through they can tell. With doctor follow up it's basically fixable until it's 100% effective.

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M.S.

answers from Dallas on

I had a tubal with my last c-section. Then when my period returned, it was super heavy. I then had an ablation (where the uterine lining is burned or frozen off). It is another preventative method (no implantation can take place) plus no more periods. Fantastic! Even better, insurance paid almost every penny of it. (Note, not everyone's periods go away after an ablation but my dr. said 75% of his patients do and the other 25% are reduced to just spotting). It's another option that has other benefits as well!

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B.L.

answers from Lubbock on

ASK QUESTIONS!! I had a tubal after my vaginal delivery. I regret not asking more questions about the procedure itself ... My experience with the tubal is not a good one....the recovery was painful & had I know it I would NOT have done it (low tolerance for pain). I also thought I was going to bleed to death with my 1st real period after delivery. lol .... I had my surgery the next morning after delivery with incision in belly button that is not noticeable at all. I also blame that for the reason I have this big belly....lol ... you are doing right by asking because I did not and wish I would have. Good Luck!

M.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I hate the hormones and went with the Paraguard IUD 3mos ago. My first period was horrible (came 2wks after procedure done on day of period and was heavy enough to require overnights 24/7 for almost another 2wks), so I started taking female support supplements that have helped me in the past and my last 2 cycles were normal. Good luck!

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would ask your doctor to explain the differences between tubal ligation and Essure.

It sounds from a quick Google that tubal can be done vaginally right after a natural birth, while Essure needs to be done 6 weeks after the birth. They both permanently obstruct the Fallopian tubes. Essure does not require any cuts either, and is done in a doctor's office. It takes about three months to be effective. I would want to check on the difference in price, also.

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

I have the copper iud. Its taking some getting used to but as long as its in place it is as effective as a tubal at a rate of 99.4%. I've heard of women getting pregnant on it but it is rare. My periods were heavy at first but have evened out. I personally want there essure. Plan to talk to my doc about it real soona

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C.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

Did Essure two tears ago. Super easy and next to NO recovery time.

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi, D.:
I know you stated that your husband is having a V. Just wondering how come you are adding extra expense on the health care system for your surgery?

If the surgeon is skilled, there shouldn't be any problems with pregnancy after the surgery. As you know that the ducts have to be cleared of all sperms for a number of weeks before it is safe to have unprotected sex.

Just my thoughts.
Good luck.
D.

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S.D.

answers from Tampa on

I had my tubal after a vaginal delivery. I was awake during the surgery. I had a spinal because when I delivered I did not have an epidural (no time). Had I had an epidural, they would have left the catheter in place (no med) overnight, then did the surgery the next day. My son was born at almost midnight, so I opted to wait until the following day (instead of that morning). It was painful, but percocet helped. The surgical pain itself only lasted a couple of days. The incision pain lasted a week or two, but got better each day - the incision itself was in my bellybutton. My son is only just about 3mo now and I am exclusively breastfeeding, so I can't say if I will have any problems once all my hormones return to normal. My OB and another in the office both said that what women don't understand is that the body changes as they get older and if they were on bc, had a baby, back on bc maybe, then had another...etc, then they may think the tubal causes some problems where it is usually just that their bodies have changed. I too had lots of people (mainly on this website) urge me not to do it due to post tubal ligation syndrom and other issues, so I'll just have to wait and see what happens with me. By the way, I went home the same day of the tubal. Also, I don't know what most OBs are doing now, but my OB office uses clamps to close the tubes off. She said with cutting & tying there was more risk of bleeding if the suture came undone and the clamp is still as effective-just a thought in case you want to ask your doc what they do.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

You're smart to double up with a V because I've also heard several stories about post-vasectomy babies - although if you have Essure I don't think he needs to get one. I had the Essure done in March and in June I have the x-ray to determine whether I'm blocked. I love that there are no hormones and I never have to have anything checked after my x-ray, I'm just good to go and don't have to worry about it anymore. I am still on the pill until my x-ray and I can't WAIT to stop taking it!!

Also there is no incision from the Essure - I was put under so I never felt a thing. Recovery was almost nothing - small amount of cramping the day of the procedure and mild bleeding for about 6 days afterward.

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