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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Family planning

Coil fitted today and something doesn't feel right

16 replies

fishybits · 19/02/2013 15:42

Not with the coil but with the procedure and I can't quite put my finger on it.

I've had 4 fitted in the past so have an idea of what should happen. This time I was asked to put my feet in stirrups and watched as I did so (never had to before) and then the Doctor "cleaned me" a) in areas that shouldn't have any bearing on the coil fitting and b) very thoroughly. I'd had a shower just before going to the Drs so I know that I was perfectly clean.

I guess what I'm asking is if the stirrups and the cleaning is normal and something I should've expected.

OP posts:

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spanky2 · 19/02/2013 15:46

I don't think so, were you having your period ? Abit clotty ?

fishybits · 19/02/2013 15:51

Period finished yesterday and I'd had a shower less than 20 minutes earlier.

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LondonBus · 19/02/2013 15:53

The cleaning does sound a bit odd. I've never heard of stirrups being used either. Was it at your usual GP practice?

spanky2 · 19/02/2013 15:53

That does not sound right . Ring the doctors practice manager to make a complaint . Poor you.

LondonBus · 19/02/2013 15:54

I'm presuming there was also a nurse in the room at the time?

fishybits · 19/02/2013 15:59

Not my usual practice as they don't fit the Mirena (we've moved since I had the last one fitted) and yes there was a nurse in the room which should reassure me that everything was okay but I don't know something was off.

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piratecat · 19/02/2013 16:12

i haven't ever had this procedure. I have only ever had a smear, and have never been cleaned or anything like that.

What do you mean by very thoroughly? Where? and what was the nurse doing at this time? did you speak to her or catch her eye? Did the doctor say anything about having to clean you?

LondonBus · 19/02/2013 16:19

Was the Dr male or female?

fishybits · 19/02/2013 16:20

The Dr said "I'm going to clean you now" and wiped the entire length of my vagina twice. I have no idea where the nurse was as I had my eyes shut like a small child pretending I wasn't there

OP posts:

fishybits · 19/02/2013 16:22

Male Dr.

I'd still be questioning what happened even if the Dr had been female.

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NaturalBaby · 19/02/2013 16:28

I've only had one fitted but no stirrups and no cleaning. The doctor explained everything she was going to do in plenty of time and I questioned everything I wasn't sure about.

NowIncognito · 19/02/2013 16:37

Hi Fishybits
Sorry you feel uneasy about your experience. However, data from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare show that 94% of family planning doctors clean the cervix (neck of your womb) prior to IUD insertion. As you know, this can only be achieved through the vagina. So the cleaning itself isn't anything out of the ordinary, although it does sound on the thorough side. As for stirrups - they are just used to facilitate the correct positioning, but most GPs surgeries wouldn't have such specialist gynae equipment in my experience - was this a family planning clinic?

fishybits · 19/02/2013 16:53

Wasn't a family planning clinic just a one Dr surgery.

The Dr said he was cleaning my cervix separately and it was cleaned once the speculum had been inserted. As far as I am aware not a doctor so could be wrong my cervix cannot be cleaned from my labia.

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NowIncognito · 19/02/2013 19:54

Oh, sorry - I see what you mean now - the doctor cleaned your whole vulva before even inserting the speculum? I agree that's unusual. I think it is sometimes done in gynae theatre (ie in a hospital setting) so I suppose it's possible the doctor's training background was in hospital gynae rather than general practice/community settings. But can completely understand why it was so unexpected for you.

fishybits · 20/02/2013 09:00

Having slept on it I'm happy that I wasn't assaulted but I'm not happy with what happened IYSWIM.

Is there an appropriate way of making that point without making a formal complaint. I would like the Dr to be spoken to about the unnecessary use of stirrups (not even cups but just straps), the "thorough" unnecessary cleaning and about the watching as I struggled to get myself into position.

Thank you so far, the questions asked helped straighten things out in my head.

OP posts:

NowIncognito · 20/02/2013 10:08

Hi Fishy

You could contact the practice manager of that surgery by phone or letter, offering "feedback" on your experience but making it clear that you're not making a complaint. Best to focus on why it all made you feel uneasy, rather than suggesting that the technique was wrong IYSWIM. Maybe also include a couple of positive comments (if you think any apply!) eg. seen on time, nurse was supportive etc.

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