Mariposa
Bluelight Crew
I thought this was worthy of its own thread rather than my bumping or hijacking others; in other threads other BL women have spoken about their experiences having an IUD insertion. It's a relatively common birth control method in much of the world, but conspicuously absent in the US due to the prevalence of the Pill. Many insurance companies will not cover an IUD for a woman who has not had children.
Well, long story short, I found a way to get one.
It was inserted around noon today. This may sound like a trip report - I'm describing this in explicit detail because many BLers have asked about this method recently. Read carefully if you are squeamish.
Background: 28 year old female in 16 month live in relationship with monogamous male partner. No pregnancies, no children. Used NuvaRing for ~2 years before deciding to leave hormones behind. Had hassles with insurance company which, when switching insurance, were no longer an issue. Does not want children for at least 2 years (this is the point where it becomes cost-effective in the US). LMP 6/24/08 (yep, got it right before the IUD insertion appointment - we planned it that way so it would be easier).
The IUD: ParaGard Intrauterine Copper Contraceptive Manufacturer's Website
For a pic, go to this link.
Personal notes: I waited so many years to get an IUD. I have a background that includes clinical depression and panic disorder. Ironically, I've had little to no trouble with my periods - the occasional bad cramping, but it always passes, and I can control it with ibuprofen. I have a regular 28-30 day cycle, it is as close to 28 as anyone I know, and I can always tell when my period's coming. My breasts are sore for about a week beforehand, and then the soreness goes away. My period comes 24-36 hours later!
That was the case this month too despite taking Plan B on Day 5 of my period due to a condom accident on graduation day.
I was confirmed not pregnant, sent for a finger prick to check my hemoglobin (13.8 - normal range is 10-15) which confirmed I am not anemic. Bacterial STD results and Pap test confirmed negative and without abnormalities. The medical assistant reviewed my chart, explained the procedure (good link for that on WebMD or any other site, google "iud insertion" which I already understood. The instruments were, thankfully, placed under a drape. The MA (a sweetheart) then asked if I wanted to see the IUD. I did, so she brought it in in its packaging. I could see that it was a little larger and wider than a quarter (US). It did not look scary to me. I felt a sense of relief that it was so small.
I looked at it for a minute and focused positive thoughts. I was emotional from my period and apprehensive about the procedure.
I then undressed from the waist down and waited for the NP, whom I had met before and found to be friendly and professional. She reviewed my chart and we talked about anesthesia - they don't put you under or for twilight for the IUD insertion (and twilight doesn't work on me!) so I was given the option of the paracervical block (similar to novocaine) or an 800 mg ibuprofen. They probably would have given me something stronger if I had asked. Since it freaked me out to have needles into my cervix along with everything else, I went with the ibuprofen. I took 1 mg alprazolam and 400 mg ibuprofen that morning. The alprazolam sufficiently relaxed me, as did the professional manner of the NP, who told me she'd tell me what she was doing as she proceeded and that if I wanted anesthetic at any time, then I should stop and ask. She applied some lidocaine gel, but I don't think it did anything except make me feel cold. I had an extra sweater on, thankfully, in case it got cold.
The procedure began; standard speculum insertion (they're always so cold!) and my cervix was stabilized. My uterus was sounded, and the pain people talk about this as having is about a 9/10, more if you don't have my pain tolerance, which appears again to be ridiculously high. The sounds were EXCRUCIATING (sound = the device to measure the uterus and dilate the cervix). I will not sugarcoat this, ladies: it HURTS. A lot. I considered asking for the paracervical block at that point. My uterus was found to be 7 cm long - normal is in the range of 6-10. The NP said I could expect that level of pain for a few minutes, said she'd be as quick as she could... and I told her to go ahead. My cervix was immobilized, I took a few deep breaths, and then it was in. She checked the positioning and it was over. I experienced a 10/10 pain level at that point and she just told me to breathe deep and rhythmically.
It worked! It was over! She removed the speculum.
I was left to recover as long as I needed to. I did not pass out. I lost a good amount of blood (I'll spare the explicit details) but after less than 10 minutes, I cleaned myself with moist towels, put on a pad (no tampons for a week) and realized that I felt better up and walking than I did laying down. It was more gory than I thought between the instruments and all the blood.
Breathing helped more than anything. I was comfortable with the people there, and I got dressed after I washed my hands. I walked out in less than 10 minutes. I think it was a record. I finished the paperwork and was given juice, but I didn't feel anything but severe cramping and wanted to walk it off. I walked about 3/10 mile to the train station, 3 train stops later and I was almost home, which I walked the rest of the way. I felt very bowlegged and a little in shock. The feeling of shock passed once I reached my door. I put on pajamas, smoked a bowl of cannabis, and ate half a sandwich and some soup. I was a little dazed, but that was probably the blood loss... not sure how much, but it looked like a lot. I slept for several hours without incident.
I'm almost 12 hours post the procedure. No nausea, not much cramping, and no blood clots - basically, a normal period with more pain. I'll take another Motrin and an alprazolam before bed.
I am now fully protected against pregnancy for 10-12 years. I plan a pregnancy sooner than that (if at all) but not yet; not anytime soon. My partner was in full support of my decision; it's a relief to know that we won't have to depend on hormones anymore which I believe are dangerous to the body, though they provide some benefits. My biggest risk is expulsion of the IUD, as I have never had a child and my body is definitely recognizing that it has a foreign body recently inserted! I hope that doesn't happen.
I feel a sense of shock that I could take that much pain, but I'm proud that I did. It's good to know that I won't be having a child until I want one.
I recommend that any woman who is in a monogamous relationship (this is hugely important - STDs are a risk factor in pelvic inflammatory disease) to consider this method. Many doctors are hesitant to give an IUD to a woman who has never had children... though it may have been painful (really painful) I can expect more reliability and fewer side effects than if I had remained on a hormonal method. It's worth discussing and the pain is over quickly... to an extent. I'm now 11 hours with my IUD. Many women name theirs... I'm still deciding on a name and still bleeding and cramping, but it is the only thing that needs to be in my uterus for now.
Yay! Oww! Time for more ibuprofen.
Well, long story short, I found a way to get one.

It was inserted around noon today. This may sound like a trip report - I'm describing this in explicit detail because many BLers have asked about this method recently. Read carefully if you are squeamish.
Background: 28 year old female in 16 month live in relationship with monogamous male partner. No pregnancies, no children. Used NuvaRing for ~2 years before deciding to leave hormones behind. Had hassles with insurance company which, when switching insurance, were no longer an issue. Does not want children for at least 2 years (this is the point where it becomes cost-effective in the US). LMP 6/24/08 (yep, got it right before the IUD insertion appointment - we planned it that way so it would be easier).
The IUD: ParaGard Intrauterine Copper Contraceptive Manufacturer's Website
For a pic, go to this link.
Personal notes: I waited so many years to get an IUD. I have a background that includes clinical depression and panic disorder. Ironically, I've had little to no trouble with my periods - the occasional bad cramping, but it always passes, and I can control it with ibuprofen. I have a regular 28-30 day cycle, it is as close to 28 as anyone I know, and I can always tell when my period's coming. My breasts are sore for about a week beforehand, and then the soreness goes away. My period comes 24-36 hours later!
That was the case this month too despite taking Plan B on Day 5 of my period due to a condom accident on graduation day.


I then undressed from the waist down and waited for the NP, whom I had met before and found to be friendly and professional. She reviewed my chart and we talked about anesthesia - they don't put you under or for twilight for the IUD insertion (and twilight doesn't work on me!) so I was given the option of the paracervical block (similar to novocaine) or an 800 mg ibuprofen. They probably would have given me something stronger if I had asked. Since it freaked me out to have needles into my cervix along with everything else, I went with the ibuprofen. I took 1 mg alprazolam and 400 mg ibuprofen that morning. The alprazolam sufficiently relaxed me, as did the professional manner of the NP, who told me she'd tell me what she was doing as she proceeded and that if I wanted anesthetic at any time, then I should stop and ask. She applied some lidocaine gel, but I don't think it did anything except make me feel cold. I had an extra sweater on, thankfully, in case it got cold.
The procedure began; standard speculum insertion (they're always so cold!) and my cervix was stabilized. My uterus was sounded, and the pain people talk about this as having is about a 9/10, more if you don't have my pain tolerance, which appears again to be ridiculously high. The sounds were EXCRUCIATING (sound = the device to measure the uterus and dilate the cervix). I will not sugarcoat this, ladies: it HURTS. A lot. I considered asking for the paracervical block at that point. My uterus was found to be 7 cm long - normal is in the range of 6-10. The NP said I could expect that level of pain for a few minutes, said she'd be as quick as she could... and I told her to go ahead. My cervix was immobilized, I took a few deep breaths, and then it was in. She checked the positioning and it was over. I experienced a 10/10 pain level at that point and she just told me to breathe deep and rhythmically.
It worked! It was over! She removed the speculum.
I was left to recover as long as I needed to. I did not pass out. I lost a good amount of blood (I'll spare the explicit details) but after less than 10 minutes, I cleaned myself with moist towels, put on a pad (no tampons for a week) and realized that I felt better up and walking than I did laying down. It was more gory than I thought between the instruments and all the blood.
Breathing helped more than anything. I was comfortable with the people there, and I got dressed after I washed my hands. I walked out in less than 10 minutes. I think it was a record. I finished the paperwork and was given juice, but I didn't feel anything but severe cramping and wanted to walk it off. I walked about 3/10 mile to the train station, 3 train stops later and I was almost home, which I walked the rest of the way. I felt very bowlegged and a little in shock. The feeling of shock passed once I reached my door. I put on pajamas, smoked a bowl of cannabis, and ate half a sandwich and some soup. I was a little dazed, but that was probably the blood loss... not sure how much, but it looked like a lot. I slept for several hours without incident.
I'm almost 12 hours post the procedure. No nausea, not much cramping, and no blood clots - basically, a normal period with more pain. I'll take another Motrin and an alprazolam before bed.
I am now fully protected against pregnancy for 10-12 years. I plan a pregnancy sooner than that (if at all) but not yet; not anytime soon. My partner was in full support of my decision; it's a relief to know that we won't have to depend on hormones anymore which I believe are dangerous to the body, though they provide some benefits. My biggest risk is expulsion of the IUD, as I have never had a child and my body is definitely recognizing that it has a foreign body recently inserted! I hope that doesn't happen.
I feel a sense of shock that I could take that much pain, but I'm proud that I did. It's good to know that I won't be having a child until I want one.
I recommend that any woman who is in a monogamous relationship (this is hugely important - STDs are a risk factor in pelvic inflammatory disease) to consider this method. Many doctors are hesitant to give an IUD to a woman who has never had children... though it may have been painful (really painful) I can expect more reliability and fewer side effects than if I had remained on a hormonal method. It's worth discussing and the pain is over quickly... to an extent. I'm now 11 hours with my IUD. Many women name theirs... I'm still deciding on a name and still bleeding and cramping, but it is the only thing that needs to be in my uterus for now.

Yay! Oww! Time for more ibuprofen.
