Coil removal -> conception... advise needed!!

[PrincessLouise]

Hi everyone! totally scary even registering on a site called 'mumsnet' !!
Just wondering if anyonre can shed some light for me...
I had the coil fitted 6 years, 8 mths ago & wasn't given any advise on it, just said yes, so I don't even know what coil it may be??
Would anyone have a clue? Also how long should it stay in for?
Am thinking (extremely scary, been very anti-babies up till recently!!) of taking the plunge and surprising my lovely, patient husband on our 2 year anniversary (end aug) that I want to start trying... (still sounds v scary!!)
Anyway, every time I mention it to my gp, he says go to the FP clinic, and I am a bit wary as to what they are gonna do? I can't, nor have ever been able to feel any strings or anything, so how will they take it out and will it hurt? (I'm a total wimp )
How long does it usually take to conceive? would be a lovely family surprise to announce at xmas... am i being far too optimistic?!
Fanx for any advise in advance!

[lucykate]

coils usually have a life span of either 3 or 5 years i think, mirena, the one with hormones in, is 5 years. i had a normal coil after dd, had it taken out and concieved a month later (although, don't be put off by this, i did m/c at 11 weeks, nothing to do with the coil). it is usually a family planning clinic that remove coils although some gp surgeries also do it. it didn't hurt, bit like having a smear done. good luck, x.

[southeastastra]

coils can last for years, i remember my gp telling me she has taken one out of a woman who had it in for 25 years! if you're still getting normal periods it is probably the non hormonal coil. i think they just whip it out and it doesn't hurt much.

i'm suprised you gp isn't very helpful though!

oh and welcome to mumsnet if this is your first post!

[WideWebWitch]

You should be able to feel the strings. If you can't you prob ought to get it checked, my step sister's coil got 'lost' and she needed scans and stuff but they found it eventually and removed it (not joking, wish I was!) - she has a 2 yo now! I had a coil before dd, had it out and got pregnant with her 6 months later, after not much trying. So go to your FP clinic and get it removed if that's what you want.

[Bibiboo]

Sory to hi-jack this thread, but when they remove the coil, do they tao clamp your cervix again? This hurt like hell when I had mine put in and I can see me being like that woman who had hers in for 25 years if they do that!
Thanks

[glassofwine]

I had mine removed after about 6 weeks as I just couldn't get on with it and it didn't hurt whatsoever - don't worry. I think you have to have it removed min period as the cervix is softer, sounds yukky I know, but I'm a woos and would rather yuk then pain.

[Medulla]

I am just about to have a coil and one fo my questions was how long until fertility returns and the answer was stright away. Can't help on any of your other queries yet!! Reading with interest though

[PrincessLouise]

Hi there peeps,
well first stage completed, went to FP clinic last night, and not great news. The dr tried unsuccessfully, and rather painfully, for 20 mins to remove the darn thing, and no luck
i have to admit, I am the biggest wimp ever, and cried the whole way through, but it did really hurt, and today my belly is really swollen and tender, and I bled quite a lot last night (sorry for the graphic info!)
Anyway, I have to go to a different clinic on 18th sept to have the same procedure but at the same time as an ultra sound so the dr can see which direction to go in as he thinks the coil has got lodged somewhere, if this fails I have to be put to sleep for it...
just my luck, has anyone else had the same problem?
Thanks for all ur replies, u've been really helpful.
Oh, and regards fertility after removal, the dr informs me, back to norm almost straight away, so fingers crossed...
x x x