Steps You Should Follow During Placement of an IUD

Have you chosen an intrauterine device or IUD for birth control? If yes, then the preparation is quite similar with the insertion for each kind. In simple words, an IUD is actually a small and T-shaped device that can be inserted into your uterus. Some types are –Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena and Liletta that can produce a small amount of progestin levonorgestrel and are very effective for a few years. You need to book a consultation for private coil fitting in London and get it done with ease.

Myths Associated with IUD

Some myths associated with IUD

You cannot use an IUD when you have not given birth
Teenagers are not allowed to use IUDs.
IUDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.
IUDs are not at all safe

Before the insertion of an IUD, it is extremely important to dismiss these myths to lessen worries and feel more confident at the time of insertion.

1. Preparing for IUD insertion

According to health care professionals, you need to take over-the-counter medication such as – anti inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs at least one hour before an IUD insertion for dealing with the pain. This can lessen the discomfort and cramps that are caused during insertion. You need to see if there are sanitary pads at the doctor’s office. If not, you should bring one from home that can be used after the insertion when some bleeding happens.

2. When you are in the exam room

Your healthcare professional has all the equipments needed for inserting an IUD. Before starting with the process, he will explain the entire process and reply to all your queries. This will make you feel more relaxed that makes the insertion easy and with minimal pain. If you are not in the first seven days of your period, then the doctor may ask to perform a pregnancy test and detect the chances of being pregnant. After this, he performs a bimanual exam to know the consistency, size, position and mobility of the uterus accurately.

3. Stabilize the cervix

The healthcare professional will open vagina through a speculum that looks like a metal beak of duck. The instrument gets inserted inside your vagina after which the sides can be separated and held open through a special action device on the handle. After this is attained, the adjacent anterior (front) and posterior (back) and the cervix recesses in the vagina which is cleansed by using an antiseptic solution. Some physicians apply local anesthesia like 5% lidocaine gel, into the cervical canal to lessen the discomfort and pain. Your doctor uses tenaculum to stabilize the cervix and keep it steady. The tenaculum is a long-handled and slender instrument attached to your cervix to steady the uterus.

4. Measure cervical canal and uterus

Your doctor inserts a sterile instrument to measure the direction and length of the cervical canal and uterus.This method can lessen the risk of perforating uterus that usually takes place as the IUD has been inserted deeply or at the wrong angle. Your doctor will prevent any contact with speculum blades or vagina. The uterine sound consists of round tip at the end to avoid perforation. Some doctors will use an endometrial aspirator as a suitable option to the uterine sound. It is important that the doctor knows your uterine depth is between 6 and 9 centimeters as an IUD need not be inserted in case the depth of uterus is less than 6 centimeters.

5. Insertion of the IUD

Once the sound gets withdrawn, your doctor prepares the IUD for insertion by removing from sterile package. The arms of IUD will be bent back and a slider or tube having the IUD is being inserted. The IUD is then pushed into place as indicated by the sound. When the IUD is in the proper position in the uterus and after it is out of the tube, the arms gradually open into the “T” shape. The IUD insertion involves some kind of discomfort but the entire procedure requires a few minutes only.

Though many women face some discomfort, less than 5% of women will experience moderate to severe pain.Certain reactions such as fainting, perspiring and vomiting require IUD removal immediately. Additionally, these reactions do not affect later IUD performance. Women who have had few births, have had a long interval since last birth or have never given birth would probably pass through these problems.

6. Complete the insertion method

After the IUD is in proper place, the plunger, tenaculum, tube and speculum are are removed from the vagina. The intrauterine device will still remain in place. The IUD will be having strings attached that the doctor leaves intact. They are hung down through the cervix into the vagina. After this, the doctor will cut ends of the strings but this will allow nearly 1 to 2 inches to hang out of the cervix.

7. After the IUD insertion

Most women feel slight discomfort during the process and so, they can get back to their regular activities. Since you do not know how to react during your insertion procedure, you may ask someone to drive you home. Some women may feel cramping afterward when the uterus adjusts to an IUD placement. If this is the case, the cramps will be lessened after some time and, perhaps, you may take pain medication or rest.

8. After you return home

You might have some kind of spotting and bleeding in the first few days after IUD insertion. If the bleeding seems to be constant or heavy, it is certainly a good idea to call your health care provider and ensure there is no infection. You should also stay prepared that your first period after the insertion might be heavier than normal. It might even come a few days earlier than it is expected.

9. Sex and pregnancy protection

You can have sexual intercourse when you feel comfortable after the IUD insertion. But the protection for pregnancy may differ due to these reasons:

ParaGard IUD offers prevention for pregnancy immediately after it gets inserted³.
Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena and Liletta IUDs are very effective immediately if it gets inserted within five days after the start of your period.
If you are having Mirena inserted at other time during the menstrual cycle, you can use another method of birth control during the first week after the insertion. Pregnancy protection will usually start after seven days.

10. IUD maintenance

It is important to check for IUD strings in every few weeks for the first few weeks and feel the string ends between your periods. This will ensure that the IUD is still placed in proper position. After your first period, you can fix a routine checkup to ensure your IUD is still where it should be. Some women can ask doctor to get the strings cut shorter. If this is the case, then the strings may be cut so short that the woman cannot check for the strings anymore.

Thus, after you may visit the private gynaecologist in London, routine IUD checkups are done at the same time when there is a periodic gynecological exam of woman. This is one of the major benefits of having an IUD as a woman does not have to do anything after it has been inserted.

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[/su_column] [su_column size=”4/5″ center=”no” class=””]Nicholas Hartley
Writer, Blogger
Nicholas is a writer by profession from London, the UK. He loves to provide valuable information to the readers about health, lifestyle and home improvement etc through his blogs. He utilises his leisure time by researching new things online to gift his audience.[/su_column][/su_row]