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Original poster

Coil insertion during section?

57 replies

Teafor1please · 07/12/2022 21:41

Hi. Posting here for traffic. Feeling rather miserable today!

I had a baby 6 days ago by elcs. During the procedure they fitted a copper coil. They said the strings would be trimmed after an ultrasound in Jan.

Today I noticed the strings coming out of my vagina by about 4cm. Called triage, doctor checked and said it's not out of place, strings are long, bye.

I thanked them, went on my way... Now home I'm thinking, wait, do I need to walk round with these strings hanging out of me for the next month ? I can feel it when I walk, like a dislodged tampon. Has anyone ever experienced this ? Should I call my GP or just wait it out ?

OP posts:
Fullyhuman · 07/12/2022 21:55

Can you trim them?

Fullyhuman · 07/12/2022 21:55

Carefully!

Melroses · 07/12/2022 21:57

Why did they do this?

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TheCatterall · 07/12/2022 21:59

No way would I accept any service expecting me to walk around like that for a month. They can jog on. I’d be in the phone to everyone the second phone lines open. Start with GP and stress how uncomfortable it is.

i imagine period products etc are not going to be pleasant to navigate with that going on.

nope nope nope. Do not sit there and allow this to continue. Im so angry for you.

also - congratulations!

GreenIsle · 07/12/2022 22:11

Cut them yourself goodness me it's only strings

ChestyLaRue21 · 07/12/2022 22:11

I’d say wait it out. Your uterus is still much bigger than usual if you’re only 6 days post section. If you trim the strings now they may end up too short when things go back to normal.

I had the mirena inserted after my C-section and they wouldn’t trim the strings. Afterwards, the strings went up and down. Some days I could feel them and other days I couldn’t. They had curled up by about 4 weeks and all was perfect by the time of the ultrasound

ShadowPuppets · 07/12/2022 22:16

Initially I thought they’re being arseholes but even after my section my cervix was all over the place (it was about the same as after my traumatic first vaginal delivery and that’s saying something!) So the feeling of having a tampon slipping out at this stage is probably more to do with just giving birth than the coil, I reckon (usual caveat re not being a medic)

Original poster
Teafor1please · 07/12/2022 22:20

GreenIsle · 07/12/2022 22:11

Cut them yourself goodness me it's only strings

Would you ? How short? I don't think it's the weird that I'm thrown off by this. I've had four coils before and never once had strings hanging out of my body!

OP posts:
Original poster
Teafor1please · 07/12/2022 22:22

ChestyLaRue21 · 07/12/2022 22:11

I’d say wait it out. Your uterus is still much bigger than usual if you’re only 6 days post section. If you trim the strings now they may end up too short when things go back to normal.

I had the mirena inserted after my C-section and they wouldn’t trim the strings. Afterwards, the strings went up and down. Some days I could feel them and other days I couldn’t. They had curled up by about 4 weeks and all was perfect by the time of the ultrasound

Thanks for this. Honestly if I'd realised it would be like this I would not have done it. I've tried to tuck them into my knickers but it feels so odd.

OP posts:
Original poster
Teafor1please · 08/12/2022 01:59

TheCatterall · 07/12/2022 21:59

No way would I accept any service expecting me to walk around like that for a month. They can jog on. I’d be in the phone to everyone the second phone lines open. Start with GP and stress how uncomfortable it is.

i imagine period products etc are not going to be pleasant to navigate with that going on.

nope nope nope. Do not sit there and allow this to continue. Im so angry for you.

also - congratulations!

Thank you, I appreciate that.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 08/12/2022 02:03

<muses> I wonder if they'd leave a man with strings hanging out of his penis for a month... I just bet they wouldn't.

MardyHa · 08/12/2022 02:04

Is it possible they might get caught on your clothing too and potentially yank the coil?

Original poster
Teafor1please · 08/12/2022 02:07

MardyHa · 08/12/2022 02:04

Is it possible they might get caught on your clothing too and potentially yank the coil?

Well yes this is my other concern! It makes me feel rather funny just thinking of it. Just got ho in the night and it feels like this awful dragging sensation coming out of me 😫 I really wish they had given me a number with someone to call if I had concerns...

OP posts:
MardyHa · 08/12/2022 02:19

It sounds horrible and probably the last thing you need to be dealing with post CS..

Blocked · 08/12/2022 03:01

Yeah I had this after my section. The coil ended up in the toilet after a few days.

OhIdoLike2bBesideTheSeaside · 08/12/2022 05:06

My friend had a similar experience her coil came out too in the bath
I'd get to the GP have it checked and maybe removed and re-inserted when your cervix has settled a bit her GP re did hers about 8-10 weeks after her section I think 🤔

BeastOfBODMAS · 08/12/2022 05:17

If you have a GUM (sexual health) clinic near you they might be able to help, they often have walk in clinics which might be easier than getting a GP appointment
I had my coil checked at one post c section

Original poster
Teafor1please · 08/12/2022 07:14

GUM clinic is a good shout. Thanks.
At this point I would happily have it just fall out !!

OP posts:
Original poster
Teafor1please · 09/12/2022 08:41

Just in case anyone ever Google's with the same situation as me!
I went to a sexual health clinic yesterday. The staff there sympathised as the strings are about 7cm out of my vagina now and are really uncomfortable. They said it needs to be left for the hospital appointment and not to cut them.

Currently hoping it drops out. If I'd have been given any information about this before it was done, I would not have had it fitted.

OP posts:
Original poster
Teafor1please · 09/12/2022 08:41

Googles

OP posts:
Melroses · 09/12/2022 13:27

I can't believe they put coils in women after a caesarian - surely everything needs to return to its normal position first.

Can you have another go with your GP? You probably need to be seen at the hospital. I suspect it is something that a lot of HCP will not have enough experience on so won't touch it and will try and get you to wait in the hope it resolves itself, so it will take some persistence.

Sartre · 09/12/2022 14:20

I wouldn’t have thought fitting a coil straight after birth is a great idea personally, seems pretty obvious there’s a good chance it would fall out when you bleed heavily.

Original poster
Teafor1please · 09/12/2022 14:59

Melroses · 09/12/2022 13:27

I can't believe they put coils in women after a caesarian - surely everything needs to return to its normal position first.

Can you have another go with your GP? You probably need to be seen at the hospital. I suspect it is something that a lot of HCP will not have enough experience on so won't touch it and will try and get you to wait in the hope it resolves itself, so it will take some persistence.

Thank you. I've been fobbed off left right and centre. Had a doctor at the hospital check rather quickly (speculum inserted etc) he said it's in the right position but the threads are long. I was in the shower before and I could see the threads right down my legs, I'm shocked by the length.

I'm a bit weepy about it to be honest.
I wish I hadn't had it done. I rang gynaecology who said I have to wait until my appointment. You can't just speak to a doctor if you want to!

OP posts:
Original poster
Teafor1please · 09/12/2022 15:00

Sartre · 09/12/2022 14:20

I wouldn’t have thought fitting a coil straight after birth is a great idea personally, seems pretty obvious there’s a good chance it would fall out when you bleed heavily.

I wish it would just fall out to be honest!

OP posts:
Melroses · 09/12/2022 22:31

You could try PALS ? I think everyone is so busy and it obviously isn't routine and straightforward for them so requires a bit of thinking around it. Do you have any access to a maternity/gynae physio who could maybe help with exercise or understanding what is going on?