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Original poster

Anyone with tight cervix/non vaginal birth have a successful coil fitting story to share

34 replies

NoMoreLimbo · 06/03/2023 18:22

As it says…. I went to have a Mirena coil fitted today by my gp. I have not given vaginal birth so was pre warned it might not work. Well it didn’t. Three tries and nope. Cervix too tight. Very much of an anticlimax. Anyone out there with a similar stubborn cervix that actually has managed to get a coil fitted??

OP posts:
Babymamaroon · 06/03/2023 18:37

I was similar and they gave me the Kyleena which is smaller.

Original poster
NoMoreLimbo · 06/03/2023 18:53

@Babymamaroon I’m glad it worked for you. I need to look that one up. I never heard of it.

OP posts:
HollyHocks13 · 06/03/2023 19:02

Yes, I've not had a vaginal birth and my cervix is high and turned to the side (makes having a smear test very difficult). I had a mirena coil put in a few months ago but it was done at the hospital by a consultant. I was having another procedure done and she suggested putting the coil in whilst I was there. It was fine, uncomfortable but not painful and she found my cervix fine.
I suspect that it's like smear tests and that it's who it's done by that makes the difference. I've heard that a good place to get them fitted is a sexual health clinic rather than a gp. I guess they do them all the time so know the best way to do it..

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TimeSlipMushroom · 06/03/2023 19:17

I has a c section due to non-dilation, have major smear problems but had a coil fitted surprisingly easily. I also went to a sexual health clinic and would recommend this too

Original poster
NoMoreLimbo · 06/03/2023 19:25

@TimeSlipMushroom @HollyHocks13 Great that it worked for you both. I’m also feeling more positive after hearing both your experiences!
Do you know which coil was fitted? Due to my age I kind of need the Mirena so that it can also be used as part of HRT.
Off to Google sexual health clinics now.

OP posts:
TimeSlipMushroom · 06/03/2023 19:27

Not sure on the name but it was a non-hormonal one I had

ToBeOrNotToBee · 06/03/2023 19:29

They will need to put it in during your period when your cervix is slightly open.

They may also give you a cervical block (anaesthetic directly into the nerve in the cervix).

AngelsWithSilverWings · 06/03/2023 19:32

I've never given birth ( adopted) and have all of my mirenas inserted under a general anaesthetic. Was told by the gynae consultant before I had my first one that he would never attempt to insert one in me without a GA. He also did the second. When he retired I had a battle to get my GP to refer me for a third insertion under GA but as soon as I met my new consultant they agreed it had to be a GA. Different consultant again for my fourth and she sanctioned a GA for that one too.

dun1urkin · 06/03/2023 19:36

Agree with trying a sexual health clinic.
I’m on my fifth now
First - GP failed, hospital did it (this is going back 24 years)
2nd and 3rd sexual health clinic no probs
4th - GP but they cut the strings too short
5th - hospital (see 4th!) and I think they used the little one but can’t remember without looking at the paperwork
Never (knowingly) had a pregnancy and my cervix is YOU SHALL NOT PASS but it’s been absolutely worth the effort once every five years

dun1urkin · 06/03/2023 19:39

Oh and I had gas & air for the last one

Rebel2 · 06/03/2023 19:42

No children. Went on the heaviest day of my period and to a special clinic at the health centre where they do double appointments and offer more pain relief
I always call it the difficult patient clinic Grin and they know what I mean!

Original poster
NoMoreLimbo · 06/03/2023 20:09

Great to hear everyone’s experiences. Thanks so much for sharing. My gp today used local numbing cream. So the pain was negligible but just like @dun1urkin my cervix has the same signage!!

OP posts:
VooVooV · 06/03/2023 20:15

I tried to have one fitted at a sexual health clinic. 3 specialists tried, for over an hour, with no joy, and quite considerable pain.
I was offered another appointment, with a scan and a block. But I just couldn’t face it.

MunchMunch · 06/03/2023 22:36

I tried to have one fitted in June by a consultant at a two week pathway referral (no cancer, changes were hormonal) He tried using callipers of different sizes and just couldn't open my cervix. He was huffing and puffing and sweating 😂he said he could do it but I'd need to be put under GA so I decided just to go for the progesterone only pill (I was there for heavy periods and have already been sterilised so not needing birth control).

CandyLeBonBon · 06/03/2023 22:42

NoMoreLimbo · 06/03/2023 18:22

As it says…. I went to have a Mirena coil fitted today by my gp. I have not given vaginal birth so was pre warned it might not work. Well it didn’t. Three tries and nope. Cervix too tight. Very much of an anticlimax. Anyone out there with a similar stubborn cervix that actually has managed to get a coil fitted??

Yep. Had one 5 years ago. 3 c sections/pinprick cervix - it was a bit uncomfortable going in but no trouble in all this time - so a success story here!

LaviniasBigBloomers · 06/03/2023 22:47

Another one saying go to the sexual health clinic. I've had issues twice at the GP (really don't know why I gave it a go a second time!), nearly vommed/fainted both times, but the sexual health docs are amazing. And can give local anaesthetic, which my GP can't.

Nospringchix · 06/03/2023 22:54

I'd recommend sexual health clinics too. I've never had children and my cervix was difficult to get open but they succeeded with a cervical block to get mirena in. They were fantastic and very patient and reassuring.

Original poster
NoMoreLimbo · 07/03/2023 15:06

Update. I have now spoken with someone at the sexual health clinic and a consultant is to call me back this week. Then hopefully be heading to their normal OR specialist clinic for a coil fitting by a coil specialist. Fingers crossed

OP posts:
Original poster
NoMoreLimbo · 15/03/2023 16:58

Another update...... I went to the sexual health clinic today. Was seen by a lovely nurse but anotehr anticlimax of a visit. She used local anasthetic spray and said she had to use a dilator to try open my cervix BUT could not even get the dilator in so gave up. She too said my cervix was like a pinprick. I am now being referred to their specialist. Sitting here very frustrated and annoyed. @CandyLeBonBon can you recall what they did / used in order to get it fitted for you? @AngelsWithSilverWings how have you felt after the fitting under GA? Not from the GA but the actual fit? I am starting to wonder whether I need to push for GA too.

OP posts:
HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 15/03/2023 17:01

Yes but under GA. No problem- had it done twice, both times under GA.
No pain or problems afterwards

QueefQueen80s · 15/03/2023 17:12

Just out of interest, I've never given birth but my cervix did dilate to 9cm, would that mean a coil would be okay?
I always wonder with things like this. Like when mooncup sizes are recommended based on giving birth but also age, I don't know which one to pick.

mumof1or2 · 15/03/2023 17:20

Yes I had the same experience as you with the GP so they made me an appointment at the local sexual health clinic. They then fitted it whilst using an ultrasound scan so they could see what they were doing. Wasn't painful at all. I'd also had a c section and I don't know exactly what's up with my cervix but smears always take ages!

mumof1or2 · 15/03/2023 17:22

Sorry - posted before reading your latest update. Maybe you do need it done under GA.

Original poster
NoMoreLimbo · 15/03/2023 17:42

@HalfasleepChrisintheMorning has it been tricky to get the referral to have it done under GA?

@QueefQueen80s they did ask me if I ever dilated because even if you did did not go thorugh with full vaginal birth apparently that you dilated makes it easier. By the way a mooncup is not recommened if you have a coil fitted. It can pull it out due to the vacuum it creates. Was told that today.

@mumof1or2 yes maybe the GA is the only way it can be done. I really hope the specialist I see can get it in though.

OP posts:
AngelsWithSilverWings · 16/03/2023 22:06

@NoMoreLimbo I've felt fine each time. No pain at all - just needed a day or two to fully get over the GA. I don't think I even had any bleeding after the last one.

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