Copper Coil being removed by forceps!!!

[SweetieXPie]

I had the copper coil put in 18 months ago after the birth of DC3. I am not planning on having anymore so seemed a good option for me. My GP at the time informed me that basically I would, perhaps, have slightly heavier periods (I had very light periods so this wasn't really an issue).

Basically fast forward 18 months and I have nothing but issues including being put on iron tablets, irritable moods and heavy heavy periods so decided to have the coil out. Went to the Gp this morning to have it removed but they couldn't my do it as the strings have coiled up, I have been rendered to a gynaecologist and have been told that I would need to have a general and have it removed with forceps!!! I am now petrified, has anyone else had this done and has the gynaecologist tried to remove it first before using the general.

Sorry it's so long, just a bit freaked out!
coiled up

[SweetieXPie]

Sorry don't know why the coiled up but came up at the end!

[bakingtins]

Are you thinking forceps as in assisted birth? Nothing so horrific, more like this sort of thing
Are the strings still poking through your cervix or have they retracted inside the uterus completely, in which case they need to open up the cervix to find them?

[firesidechat]

What scares you, the ga or the forceps bit?

I've had a couple of gynae ops under a general anaesthetic and they were fine. Forceps sound awful, but it won't be like having a baby with forceps. They just need to get to where the coil is and help it out. You won't feel a thing while they are doing it and I wouldn't expect much or indeed any pain afterwards.

[Greyone]

They should do a scan to check it is still in. Unless they could see the threads but couldn't remove it? Use another form of contraception if needed until then. Lost threads would almost never need a general. Usually quite simple so don't worry.

[SweetieXPie]

I think I have really worked myself up as I was expecting to go the appointment and have it out, I now have visions of injections and big forceps!!!
I know I am probably overthinking it.
To top it off I have read a few horror stories of copper coil removals.

[SweetieXPie]

They said they could just about see the threads, so at least it hasn't disappeared somewhere

[FadedRed]

Try not to worry, this is a nuisance for you, but not a major operation! I worked in Gynae and this is not uncommon. The reason why it's best to have a general anaesthetic is that 'fiddling' around your cervix can sometimes cause a reaction like shock (faintly, blood pressure low, that sort of thing) if conscious and this can be avoided with GA. Also can be a bit painful if awake, so short GA and job done.

[WhirlpoolGalaxyM51]

I had a mirena out under GA after the strings got "lost" - it was fine.

Gynae did try to see if he could get it out at an appt before, he just looked and said nope, you'll need a GA. No poking around or discomfort at that appt.

[HighOverTheFenceLeapsSunnyJim]

I had similar, had a scan to check exact location, and a hysteroscopy, then coil removed with forceps. No general. It was fine tbh, but I don't find smears painful either.

[SweetieXPie]

Thank you everyone, I am probably just panicking over nothing, just a bit disappointed I didn't get it out of the way today.
I am probably being really stupid, but would it be a numbing injection (kind of like the one you have when you have stitches) or would it be a spinal.
I had three extremely quick labours so no time for any epidurals Etc so not really sure of the differences between them all.

[SweetieXPie]

I am ok with smears so fingers crossed.
I just want to stop these periods, I am three weeks into this one

[firesidechat]

If it's a general anaesthetic they will use a cannula so that they can inject the anaesthetic and any other drugs through it. It stings a bit when it goes it, but not painful as such. I can post a picture if you like, but only if you want to be prepared? I don't want the freak you out.

[firesidechat]

They may numb the site before they put the cannula in, but the anaesthetic involves more than a numbing injection.

An epidural is put into the spine, but I can't remember if they numb the site first. Probably I would say.

My husband was an anaesthetic virgin until a few years ago, but he's had loads now and is fine with them. He hates any sort of medical stuff too.

[SweetieXPie]

Firesidechat have you got a picture. I feel like I need to be prepared

[firesidechat]

Ok, but promise not to freak. It honestly looks worse that it is and you may not even end up with a ga. This is the link. I must learn how to put pictures on the post.

www.flickr.com/photos/hippie/3273422957

[firesidechat]

Basically they put the cannula in and that's it. They put anything they need to inject into you through that. It saves you ending up like a pin cushion.

[SweetieXPie]

Oh that is no problem, I stupidly thought you meant they would put it down near my lady garden
I realise this makes me sound incredibly stupid,
I have had that actually just after having baby number three as they thought I would need a spinal for stitches but turned out they managed to just numb me.
I hope I get a good person this time, the midwife literally turned my hand black and blue

[firesidechat]

Oh that's a relief. As far a I know nothing weird goes near the business end and if it does you won't know anything about it.

[SweetieXPie]

Thank you so much, I do feel a lot better about it all now. Just keep my fingers crossed I don't have to wait a long time for the appointment

[Ashwinder]

Much better to have it out under a GA. the forceps aren't the huge salad server type things they use in difficult births. Much, much smaller than that. Used for precision really.

I had an embedded coil removed without any pain relief at all (inexperienced GP) and it was very unpleasant understatement My cervix went into shock. Your doctor sounds much more sensible.

[SleepShake]

I had mine removed with anaesthetic cream and by a specialist doctor at the family planning clinic - and it was over in 2 minutes.

I would never go to the GP or nurse to get a coil removed or even for a smear test.