I am 47 years old, divorced, with 2 boys ages 6 and 5. Both of my boys were born after the age of 40 by C section. I suffer from bone disorder and having children after age 40 resulted in significant hearing loss (due to the strain on the small bones in my inner ear), thus the need to ensure no more pregnancies.
An Ob/Gyn attempted a laparoscopic tubal on me and was unable to locate the fallopian tubes due to adhesions. The surgery was unsuccessful, although I experienced the same recovery as if it had been - weeks of pain and discomfort, a scar, bruising, etc. This doctor was familiar with the Essure procedure, but because he didn’t perform the procedure, offered me temporary methods only.
His final offer was an IUD, which I immediately refused. I knew I HAD to have a PERMANENT form of birth control. I am nearly 50 and simply could not risk a pregnancy.
I could not locate a doctor willing to perform a tubal ligation. I sought out a doctor who agreed to consult with me about my options and could possibly recommend a solution for me. This doctor had attended a presentation on the Essure procedure given by Dr. Don Snyder. I made an appointment to talk to Dr. Snyder about the Essure procedure.
Essure was simply the only valid choice for me. Essure offered me everything I required, as well as the added bonus of very little recovery time; with 2 toddlers, this was an extremely attractive feature. I certainly wish it would have been recommended to me INITIALLY, so that I wouldn't have wasted nearly 6 months in fear of pregnancy, in pain from the failed surgery, and the expense and the frustration of the search for a solution. It was quite a frightening period for me. The minute I had my first appointment with Dr. Snyder, my worries were over and this long year of struggle was ended by the hope of Essure.
The morning of the procedure, I drove myself to Dr. Snyder’s office where he performed the procedure. The pain was nothing compared to pregnancy and childbirth, or compared to the failed surgery of the tubal ligation. It was actually less painful than the “fitting and prep” for an IUD (which I had been fitted for at an earlier time). It was significantly more painful than a pap smear, but very brief and endurable. Dr. Snyder was constantly making sure the pain was tolerable and it was quickly forgotten. Dr Snyder's calming, caring manner made this a very minor procedure.
I took one Tylenol after the procedure, drove myself home, and rested that evening. I would describe my feeling as simply an “awareness" that I had had a procedure performed, but definitely not as a need to recover or a period of discomfort. I spotted for a 24 hours but the spotting was not significant enough to require pads for more than a 24 hour period.
The follow-up HSG was performed in a local hospital and it was quick and tolerable. There was a brief moment of discomfort, like an intense pap smear, followed by no discomfort and a delightful reassurance that I no longer had to worry about becoming pregnant. I found the entire procedure and HSG to be quite fascinating - observing the whole event on a screen was truly remarkable.
There were so many benefits to having the Essure procedure:
- No scars or cuts
- No recovery time (or very, very little)
- It was completely covered by my insurance with ZERO cost to me
- No general anesthesia
- Quick and easy in-office procedure
- The assurance that it is considered PERMANENT, which met my requirements
- The peace of mind from the constant fear of potential pregnancy
- The relief of never having to rely on risky uncertain birth control forms
- The cost
- The constant maintenance
- The doctor visits required
- The fact that no hormones or other creams, medicines, etc, were going to be in my body
- The resulting weight gain, mood changes, and other symptoms most birth control methods present
- The complete freedom Essure has given me to move forward and no longer revisit the possibility of pregnancy
- Knowing confidently that I could have a huge garage sale and get rid of every single maternity, baby item I owned, once and for ALL!
I would like to see women made aware of the failure rate of traditional tubals and the recovery time, pain and risks.
I wish more doctors would inform their patients of this option.
I would like to see this procedure marketed to women as the FIRST choice for permanent birth control, as opposed to it being my "final" choice.