To ask for gas and air for a coil fitting

[StillCantDecideOnaUsername]

I want it done but I'm terrified as I've heard a few horror stories about how painful it is. Do you think they'd give me gas and air or would the Dr think I was a bit bonkers?!

[OopsDearyMe]

I would not have a coil near me for love nor money , I tried one after DD2 a year of hell followed even tho the bloody thing was removed a week after insertion.

[Chattycat78]

Have never had a coil fitted but I get why you're anxious! I also had a terrible experience with a stretch and sweep before the birth of my first child. I was literally screaming in the gp surgery! The midwife couldn't find my cervix or something and basically I was now where near ready to give birth so it was awful. Sounds from other posters like it's not so bad though hopefully to have a coil fitted. Hope it goes ok.

[theaveragewife]

Yes but why should we have to put up with that pain? Private hospitals have entonox and I will likely pay for that!

[Welshmaenad]

I was so busy chatting to the nurses when I had my mirena put it that I didn't even realise they'd done it! And I've never dilated or given birth vaginally.

[Bettyspants]

A GP surgery is incredibly unlikely to have entonox, not sure about family planning but I would think it's unlikely. I took couple paracetamol prior, it was a bit like some early labour pains but very short. Not a pleasant experience but about what I'd expected I've had two mirinas

[justanotherusername0]

I didn't feel a thing for mine !

[theaveragewife]

Also was going to say - I have a tilted uterus too, I wonder if that has made inductions, smear, colposcopy, internal scans & sweeps more painful. I just wish I had control of my own cervix.

[theaveragewife]

That's the thing isn't it kiki? My periods were debilitating and often knocked me out for a week, I love the coil as it has given me my life back - and reduced my bloating.

Numbing cervix involves injections I will continue the hunt for the next year....I think gas and air should be the least offered though.

[Delatron]

I've had two kids and it was agony! I have tilted uterus though and it was an inexperienced doctor, it took ages. I nearly passed out afterwards! Everyone has different experiences, don't think it is down to pain threshold though..! Ask for the cervix to be numbed if you're worried.

[KikisDeliveryService]

Some clinics are able to offer you a local anaesthetic. I explained I was worried about having one out and new one in in one session as I'd been in great pain with that previously, and they said I could have the anaesthetic. Procedure was fine in the end but I cramped for days after. But to me those few days are worth the following 5 years of no pregnancies or periods!

[BeverleyBrook]

Both times mine were very painful. I'd ask for G&A if I had it changed again.

[Violetcharlotte]

I've had a coil fitted and it wasn't painful at all, I'm sure you'll be fine. Don't believe everything you read online, people only tend to post when things go wrong!

[FruitCider]

I had a bad experience, but it was NOWHERE NEAR AS BAD as a stretch and sweep at 0.5cm dialated, or having my waters broken at 1cm! So yes, it might hurt, but not as bad as a sweep!

[Stormyseasallround]

I've had three children, all of whom I had epidurals for. This should show you that I'm no fan of pain at all.
I've had the coil fitted twice now (had one removed to have another baby) and both were just a bit ouchy, but really not painful at all. Try not to worry.

[I8toys]

Had the coil after having DC2 - no problem, took ibuprofen beforehand. Didn't feel any pain but had recently had a child so probably wouldn't register.

Trying to get it reinserted 5 years later - doctor couldn''t get it in, 20 minutes trying eventually gave up - still didn't really hurt even then just a bit uncomfortable - so gas and air over the top. Just take some pain pills beforehand.

[MatildaWormwoodRoolsOK]

As others have said, most GP surgeries and sexual health clinics don't have gas and air, so it may not be possible. But YWNBU at all to make an appointment with the GP or nurse beforehand to discuss other forms of pain relief. As you'll have noticed from this thread, experiences on here of coil-fitting range from the virtually painless (most women) to the agonising (very few), so all good HCPs should be sympathetic to your fear of pain,

[deblet]

I have had two Mirena coils put in under a general as I have had three sections and my womb is a word I can't remember. I can't even have a smear the pain is so bad.

[ispymincepie]

Theaveragewife I had mine done at the Plaza health clinic in Hastings, East Sussex. I would caution that I literally felt nothing and was so completely out of it that in my feedback I said it probably wouldn't be suitable for anyone with a history of abuse/feeling vulnerable as it could be quite scary to be in that position unable to move/speak. Personally that wasn't an issue for me and having had four children I am quite used to that sort of thing and found the gas and air perfect for the procedure but I definitely don't think it would be good for everyone.

[OliviaStabler]

My fitting was fine. Little bit of pain but not much. My clinic said to make sure I took painkillers before I went and that i had had something to eat.

[OhFFSAreYouSerious]

Have you had kids OP?

I had a cool fitted pre-kids and it was pretty painful.

When I had one fitted after kids, I barely felt anything

[theaveragewife]

Bit old to this thread but ispymincepie where was the trial? If you don't want to say on here please pm me - I'm due to have mine re-fitted next year and I want to prepare in advance.

I was under GA for fitting as had a hysteroscopy at the same time, but I have anxiety issues around internal exams/anything to do with that kind of thing! So would either want to have GA or gas and air - I'm sure were this something men did they wouldn't have no pain relief, it's medieval.

[Mamadothehump]

Is it the mirena? I'm on my 2nd (after 3 DC) and didn't find it painful either time. Removal of 1st one was fine too. No painkillers needed before or after. Good luck and try to relax.

[ispymincepie]

I had gas and air for a coil fitting! It was fabulous and I didn't feel a thing BUT it was for a trial so I really doubt you'll just be able to ask for it, sorry. I gave VERY positive feedback though so hopefully they'll roll it out soon.

[Sidge]

Where will you be having it fitted?

I've worked in CASH (contraception and sexual health) clinics and a number of GP surgeries and none of them have gas and air. It's not something that's usually stocked as it's a lot of training, registration and paperwork to hold it. Also we would need to use it so rarely it wouldn't be worth the aggro!

Oral pain relief such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine based medication (such as co-codamol) is adequate for most women - take it an hour before your appointment and again later that day after the coil fitting.

Having a coil fitted can be uncomfortable and for some women it's very painful, but the pain is relatively short-lived and usually manageable with painkillers. Some coil fitters can offer local anaesthetic gels.

Good luck

[GreatFuckability]

Mine was agony. Had i known how bad it was going to be, i'd have not had it at all. everyone is different, but given that for some it IS painful there should be some kind of pain relief on offer.