Update about my IUD
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| Thu, 09-09-2004 - 8:55am |
I have had my IUD inserted for about 1.5 hours now. And boy, do I have cramps! LOL.
Anyway, I got to the dr's office about 5min earlier and the dr called my name right on time! Yeah! (He was a very nice guy and a bit older, maybe not quite grandfatherly age..) First off, he asked me a few questions like: have I had any kids, what was the date my last period started, what other birth control methods have I used and why don't I want to use those anymore, etc.
Then I got up on the table and he looked inside of me with the speculum, then he did a physical check and then with the ultra sound to see what my uterus looked like so he had an idea of where to put the IUD. (I was told, again, that my uterus is tilted towards the back. *grin*)
Then he showed me two types of IUD's that he (or maybe in Finland) uses and said I could choose which one I wanted. There was the Nova T 380 and Multiload. I really didn't have any preference and asked him if there was one that he thought was better and he told me that the didn't consider either of them better, but that the Nova T is used more in Finland. So that is what I went with.
I layed back down, he inserted another speculum and then told me it was going to "pinch" and be a bit painful when he clamped the clip things on my cervix to open it up. And it did pinch a bit, but nothing too bad. The worst part was when he actually pulled down on the clamps and inserted the IUD!! I yelped out at least 2 times. I tried to remember to breathe deeply and calmly..but I know I held my breath a tiny bit.. The dr then snipped the strings, unclamped my cervix *aaahhhhh, relief* and removed the speculum.
It was all over in under 2 minutes!
Then the dr used the ultra sound again to check that the IUD was in an acceptable place and everything looked just fine! He had me lay there for a few seconds, but really I felt just fine.
The cramping feeling started basically as soon as he inserted the IUD... But the pain of it being inserted put off the cramp-feeling for a few seconds.
I asked if I could use a tampon right away and he said that would be fine. He trimmed the strings short enough that they shouldn't get caught on the tampon and be pulled out (that is a reason why some of them come out he said). I can have sex when I feel up to it. And that I should go back in 3 months for a check up, unless there is something I feel that needs to be asked/done before then. This IUD is good for up to 5 years.
Oh, about an hour before goign to the dr, I took an walmart generic advil type pain killer and then another one on the bus ride home. I also had a ThermaCare disposable heating pad that I put on my stomach to help with the cramps. That felt like it helped during the bus ride home. But really, I just wanted to get home and change into my pj's.
All in all, the entire appointment took about 20 minutes and it cost 104€ total.
And I am now at home, in my pj's, drinking tea and eating much deserved chocolate as a reward for torturing myself! LOL.
(If anyone has any questions, I would be glad to answer if I can.)

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Not much bleeding.. I guess only time will tell if it becomes more or not.
I haven't ever used a diaphram, but that or a cervical cap, will be my next birth control method if this doesn't work out. But I am confident it will!
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So far so good with the IUD! I really do hope it works out. And I do believe it will...
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I have been using a diaphragm for contraception and flow control during menses for more than 2 years and have been very pleased with how well it has worked for me. I use a cervical cap between during my inter-menses interval. I’ve never had a dislodgment even during the most energetic IC. I’m just very comfortable having a physical barrier in place and the small additional effort required to have the protection of a barrier is worth it to me. An IUD can be a great choice for some women. Let us know what you decide ok?
Good luck,
Jill
It is kind of like a syringe, but no needle attached. The IUD is pulled down inside the "tube" and then the tube is inserted into the uterus, then the actual IUD is "injected" into the uterus. At least that is what I assume happens, as I didn't actually see it happen. *grin* But I did see the IUD before it was taken out of the package and then again before the dr inserted it (with the IUD inside the tube).
I hope that helped. If you have more questions, I'll try and answer them.
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DBF and I finally had sex since I have had the IUD inserted (he was sick the last week..poor guy!). He told me he felt the strings some and that it hurt a tiny bit.. I told him we'll just have to try again and see if it will be a regular occurance or not. Hehehe.
Anyway, loving the fact I am protected and don't have to do anything for it. We'll see how bad my cramps will be before/during my period.. I'm not too worried though.
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Hi Mindy,
<< What is flow control? >> I use my diaphragm to collect my flow during my menses, the same function that a menstrual cup (Keeper / Diva Cup or Instead) performs. The difference is that the diaphragm can also for contraception during that time.
<< What is a diaphragm like? >> For descriptions and images of various typed of diaphragms see http://www.cervicalbarriers.org/information/diaphragms.cfm
<< I have never heard of a cervical cap. >> For descriptions and images of various types of cervical caps see http://www.cervicalbarriers.org/information/cervicalCaps.cfm
<< how does it feel, when do you put it in,>> You squeeze the sides of the rim together and insert in into your vagina. A correctly fitted barrier (D or C), once properly inserted and positioned, usually can’t be felt by the wearer. Most male partners can’t feel can’t feel a correctly worn barrier. What your wearing regimen will be depends on your needs and lifestyle. Some women insert their barrier shortly before needed as part of foreplay, others insert hours earlier than needed. It is very important to develop a wearing regimen that meets your needs so you aren’t surprised and caught unprotected. Diaphragms can be worn for up to 24 hours continuously and cervical caps can be worn for 48-72 hours, continuously, depending on the type cap.
<< whats the accuraxcy of it, >> The effectiveness of both diaphragms and caps differs for parous and nulliparous women. The most recent figures for the effectiveness of cervical barriers is on the Planned Parenthood site http://www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/bcfacts2.html
<> Limited protection. A diaphragm or cervical cap may provide some degree of protection against some STDs but nothing like the protection from a condom.
<< i would like to know how it works for you. >>
I have been wearing cervical barriers now for almost two 2 ½ years and love how well they work for me! So far I’ve never had a scare and I feel so desirable and confident when wearing my barrier. I wear an Oves cervical cap between menses and a Milex diaphragm during. Both barriers are made of silicone rubber which is less likely to contribute to YIs and is impervious to most oil based lubes and medicines. One of the keys to a barrier’s effectiveness is how well it fits. Finding a supportive and experienced fitter can be a challenge, but Planned Parenthood, women’s clinics, midwives and nurse practitioners are possible sources to find a good fitter. There is more on diaphragms and caps in a post in the FAQs. If you have more questions, please ask.
Good luck,
Jill