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?!

[CurbsideProphet]

I am one of those who had a horrible experience (went into cervical shock when my GP tried, so it had to be done by a gynaecologist with an injection into my cervix to numb it). However, I have not had children yet, which apparently makes a substantial difference!

[PaperdollCartoon]

I haven't had children and when I had mine fitted I had a local anaesthetic in my cervix. It was offered, but I know not everywhere does so ask.

[MargaretCavendish]

Just to say that I also have never been pregnant - and while I think that does make a big difference (mine definitely wasn't like a smear test!) as I said up thread, I'm in the not nice but not as bad I as I feared group. For me it was totally worth it for how well the coil worked for me.

[Rulerruler]

At the Gynae clinic I worked in we didn't have gas and air - no-one that I know of ever asked for it either! Do ask for pain relief though if you want it. We used to pescribe painkillers to take pre insistion if requested. Also yy to the gel or injection - both are possible.

[Buttwing]

I promise it's absolutely no where near as bad as a stretch and sweep.
It was like a smear for me. I had the numbing gel and it just felt like someone was having a good rummage about. No pain though.

[TheFairyCaravan]

It doesn't hurt. It's uncomfortable but not painful. Saying that I didn't find a stretch and sweep that bad either.

[Redpony1]

I was under GA when i had mine fitted, but the removal was nothing short of horrendous. The pain i experienced made me throw up 6 or 7 times and i shook for hours after...

Although I find Gas & Air utterly useless, had it once when i broke my spine, and once in a big car accident. Neither times did it touch pain or make me care less so no idea how it helps people in child birth!

[listsandbudgets]

honestly it will be fine. take a paracetamol and a few deep breaths. wen I had .I need done in felt a little bit of fiddling about before the doctor said all done I'll just leave you to put your clothes back together.

my responses are you sure was still waiting for you to start!!

[BumDNC]

Mine was nothing like a smear and I have had a lot of those!

Ive had 2 IUD's, first one was copper and at the same time as another procedure so I did struggle more with the shock/shaking afterwards although not pain, just feeling wobbly and took me a good half hour to feel steady enough to get up and leave.

The mirena I had on its own, no gel etc and it was like a big cramp but I just got in my car and drove home after about 5 mins.

I had a sweep and it's nothing like that, it's the same as a smear as in no one puts their whole hand in - the clamp/clips part was the worst thing for being uncomfortable - just feels unnatural but it's not as invasive as anything they do when you are in labour IMO

[fruityb]

Mine was fine, uncomfortable but I wouldn't say painful. It wasn't anywhere near my contractions (mine were like red hot bands round my hips). It was a bit undignified and not my idea of fun but it was all over soon enough.

I bled for over a week afterwards which was worse.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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,

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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!

[BeverleyBrook]

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