I first heard about the Essure procedure when I was looking for an alternative to birth control. I wanted something more permanent than birth control pills. The thing that attracted me to Essure was that it was permanent! I was really going to go for a tubal ligation, but there were women at work that told me how much pain they had experienced with their tubal’s. I am not a pain person; and to be out of work, out of commission for 5 days, for a simple procedure, that really just kind of threw me off.
I went to the Essure website and saw the procedure. My husband sat down and watched it with me. It was really neat. I thought about it, my husband and I talked about it over and over. Finally I made the call to my doctor and said, “let’s do it.” I came in and we went through the counseling with the doctor to make sure I was a good candidate. We scheduled my surgery for 10 o’clock in the morning and by 10:30 I was done and out the door. It was so quick! The only side effect I had was mild cramping, and it was just like having a regular menstrual cycle. I felt wonderful!
My husband and I went to lunch at 11am; we came home, and picked the girls up from school at about 2pm. I took a nap for about an hour or so because we had been up so early that morning, and I couldn’t eat – and that was the only thing that bothered me. My husband asked me if I was ok and I felt fine – I was just hungry! It was wonderful – I had a wonderful experience. I told everybody at work about it the next day. My doctor called to check on me and I told him, “I felt fine!”
At the 3 month follow-up I had the HSG to make sure my tubes were blocked. The procedure was quick and easy, and I had no problems. I didn’t experience any pain from the HSG at all.
I think we’re happier now – we were happy before – but knowing that there won’t be any little accidents makes it more reassuring for us. It’s also reassuring to know that our children are at an age where they can take care of themselves and we don’t have to worry about the added daycare expense or bringing in a baby and who’s going to switch shifts.
After I interviewed for the local newspaper, women at work asked me about it; they had heard about it but were scared to ask their physician about it. I told them to go for it. I even brought my stuff into work to educate them. I told my doctor, “I’m really promoting this.” It is so wonderful!