Permanent Bc, Your Experiences with Essure?

Updated on October 12, 2011
J.B. asks from Marrero, LA
14 answers

This is our last baby and I am due in about 5wks, so I am thinking on permanent bc and we were planning on a vasectomy for my husband. But I am nervous to have him do it pre-birth and our doctor advised against it. So then he will have to wait until a couple months after, then be out of commission for a couple days while I have a young baby and my other two little ones as well, that doesn't sound fun. Plus I will have to be on the pill for a while until the vasectomy is good to go and I HATE the pill, makes me funky, not be in a lovin' mood with my husband etc. It is no fun for me.... A tubal for me is expensive, I have to be under anesthesia bc I have issues where I can't have an epidural or spinal, and I have heard some crazy stories of ladies with late in life babies!! So, I was wondering how soon after birth you can get the essure procedure, how painful is it, how expensive is it, how long until it is effective and if you had it, are you happy with having it done and do you recommend it. I love the idea of no hormones and not worrying about being pregnant!! I know we can do condoms, but we have a bad track record.... ;) I really know I am done and want to really be sure that we are good to go. IUDs are not an option for me, so I am thinking on this method a lot. Also, if you know anything bad about this procedure, share, I am gathering info at this point. Thanks!!

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

I would use some spermicide and a condom , or lots of oral... I hate birth control b/c it also affects me like you. You can't really have sex the first month after delivery anyways.

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J.S.

answers from Hartford on

If you have any allergies to metals on your skin, don't do it. I would do it except I get eczema to prolonged exposure to copper and nickel on my skin (such as when those things are in shoes/sandals). That knocks me out as a candidate for Essure.

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N.P.

answers from San Francisco on

My cousin had her tubes tied during the birth of her fourth. He was a cesarean birth and while they were in there, they just did the procedure right then.

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R.C.

answers from Phoenix on

Like your doctor, I don't encourage couples to have a vasectomy before birth because it presumes that your baby will be healthy when actually you don't know that until it's born (and a few months/yrs old actually). I'd encourage you to wait a year before doing anything permanent unless you have a C-section and are 110% sure. Waiting the year reduces the chance that either you or your husband will experience regret (I know you said you were sure, but trust me I've seen couples both change their minds). Please research vasectomy carefully because a little known statistic states that 1 in 6 men who have this procedure will have complications and/or pain lasting 7 months or more. My Dr discouraged me from Essure 1 yr ago saying he didn't think it had enough long term research studies to reassure him that it was safe. Have you considered using condoms and spermicide or a diaphragm with spermicide for a while until you and your husband feel the time is right? Nurse Midwife Mom

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

I just had my tubes tied last week. I had hoped my husband would take care of things (vasectomy) but that didn't pan out. I looked into essure, but it turned out that the tubal would be my cheapest option, which was a HUGE factor for our family at this time. But, the biggest deciding factor for me was that e tubal was the only option that was immediately effective. Well, after my post-op follow io next week. No 3 months of doubling up on bc methods while waiting for the procedure to be effective. Ay this point, a week out, I am totally happy with how things have gone. :-)

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My friend had it and had NO issues. She got up from the table and went and ate sushi with her husband. She had some minimal cramping that afternoon but that is it. They went back a month or so later and the dye did not go through. I would say make sure you pick someone who has at least done them b3fore so they know what they are doing.

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

My husband had a vasectomy when our youngest was about a yr. I had 3 little ones running around. He still helped...from the couch with an icepack by his crotch. He read books to kids, played with kids....
He wasn't down for a couple days---he might have wanted to be for the sympathy factor. But I was like, "well be glad you didn't have the babies, dear."

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

I had Essure done this year. I waited almost 2 years after our last baby but that was just because my husband promised to get a vasectomy and kept putting it off...eventually he told me it scared the hell out of him and he was too freaked out to do it. Otherwise I would have done it way sooner. I know you can't do it until at least after your 6 week appt post-baby, but I would think that if everything was healing ok, you'd be ok to do it sometime right after that. Just ask your ob. But here's my experience.

I too loved the idea of not being on BC anymore (I was soooooooo sick of taking that darn pill), no hormones, no worries of pregnancy. My OB actually did the procedure in the hospital. It was scheduled like a surgery...I was admitted, was completely put under for the procedure. Since I had full anesthesia I couldn't eat or drink after a certain time the night before. I had an IV running to keep me hydrated. Woke up after it was over (the actual procedure only took about 20 minutes). I had some cramping and period-like bleeding for about a week. You have to use pads, no tampons so there is no risk of infection. Otherwise I didn't feel a thing.

You then wait 3 months, using birth control the whole time, and then get your follow-up ultrasound. They will inject dye to confirm that it can't get through. Once they confirm that on the ultrasound, you have permanent bc. I love that I did it, it's been a huge weight lifted for me. I had to pay about $600 out of pocket, but definitely check with your insurance...the entire cost of the procedure is around $10,000.

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M.B.

answers from Houston on

I had the essure procedure and it was less traumatic than going to the dentist! It was an office prodcedure and we were completely done in about an hour. They gave me oral sedative and one injection and I floated thru the procedure. I had a couple of days of very light cramping and that's it. I couldn't do the follow up dye test, so my doctor ordered a abdominal x-ray and said the implants were in perfect position and he was confident that the tubes were completely blocked. It cost me a $350 co-pay, and I'm not sure what the insurance paid. I would recommed it to anyone that is "done".

C.P.

answers from Columbia on

When you posted this question, I ran off to do research. That was a couple of hours ago!

So, I've found mixed reviews. Lots of good stuff, and lots of bad stuff. It seems that much of the bad stuff might be related to the metal in Essure. I'd make 100% certain that you don't have any nickel allergies.

Here's a link to a forum where they talk about a LOT of negative experiences. These types of reviews are far harder to find than the good reviews. Hope this helps. http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/forums/ubbthreads.ph...

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K.B.

answers from Salt Lake City on

You can search this site for previous comments on this particular question -- just type "essure" and you'll probably get several comments to review, just FYI. But I'll add my two cents, which I haven't done before. I spoke with my Dr about the procedure and was ready to go BUT decided not to when I learned that, while my insurance "covered" the procedure, it was subject to my very high deductible. That is both the procedure and the post procedure ultrasound. My husband's vasectomy, on the other hand, was a $50 office visit. So check and double check insurance coverage on both procedures. HOW comprehensively are they covered. Good luck with the new baby; what a joy.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

i am sorry i did not have any experience or even know what that is. i had a tubal and i highly advise against it. horrible and long periods where they are talking about putting me on the pill! r u freaking kidding and they are now worried about my iron because of the 7day heavy periods...like HEAVY. i would get your hubby to have the snip done before the baby arrives...and in time to heal! ask the docs why they are wanting to wait two months after...is it because they think you might change your mind. i know when i had my tubal the doctor tried to talk me out of it saying i was too young and then he waited a day after my baby was born. i think because she had the cord wrapped around her neck and he wanted to be sure she was ok. idk and he passed away so i cant even ask him! oh well. that was my horrible experience. congrats on the new baby and all your lovely family.

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K.P.

answers from Houston on

I guess my question is why the Dr. advised against your husband helping out with a vasectomy. I had 5 pregnancies with 3 live births. My husband volunteered to have a vasectomy after everything I had gone through to give him his beautiful babies.
He had it done about 6 wks before my due date (aka 4wks before I delivered) and we never had any problems. While he had volunteered, it seemed he was putting it off until the last minute so I sweetly told him that if he waited until the week before I was due ( which was when he sched. it)...I was going to go into labor on purpose the day he had the procedure and give him blue balls!! He promptly changed the appt. LOL!
Honey, we go through enough. Let your husband take part in the process.
KP

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

When I checked, I was told that the Essure procedure cost $5000 but I see here that it might be as high as $10k for the entire process.

My husband had his vasectomy four or so weeks after our daughter was born. He was sore for a day or two, but mowed the lawn the second day. He wasn't "out of commission" at all. And then he was "in the clear" by the time I felt like having sex again.

If you "really know you are done" then why the wait until after the birth of this baby? Would you really have another, no matter what? If not, then have him go get the V and be done with it. It's inexpensive, quick, and easy. An office procedure.

I know, personally, at least a dozen men that have had a V and not one of them had any pain, complications, or regrets.

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