To ask if a coil fitting is as bad as I think it’s going to be?

[TeddyIsaHe]

I think I’m more nervous about this than I was giving birth

Going on Friday and working myself into a tizzy about it! Having the Mirena I think, rather than copper.

I'm on my second one and have had no problems with getting them in or out and I have a right pesky cervix! It is tilted apparently and hides round the back (who knew?!), I had a planned section so it's not seen much action and I can honestly say I never felt a thing.
I hope it all goes well for you, try not to worry

So the general procedure is speculum in just like a smear. The cervix is then located and secured - a long forcep is used. I don't find this uncomfortable- just a bit weird. The uterus cavity is then measured. A fine 'stick' is inserted through the cervix - about 2mm width. It has measuring points on it. This guides how far to insert the coil and is a bit sharp - the worst bit in my opinion. The coil is then inserted. It sits in a narrow introducer- again not v wide. The T shape pings up into position when in the right place. Speculum out - done.
As this thread shows everyone's experience is different. You'll be fine.

It wasn't AWFUL - it was very uncomfortable for 1-2 mins, then I went really dizzy and lightheaded so had to wait for 15 mins to recover.

I felt really poorly for two days and then no complaints in the 6 years since.

I'll think twice before getting a second one, but probably will.

@Duckduckduck123

I won't lie, it isn't pleasant, and it does hurt BUT only for a few seconds. If you had a virginal birth, it may not hurt at all as the cervix has already opened

Best typo ever

And to add something useful for you OP, I haven't had any vaginal births, and my mirena fitting was just like a smear test. I took 2 paracetamol 30 mins before on the GP's advice which must have helped!

Sorry OP I probably have the one nightmare story on this. The actual procedure was ok.

But - It gave me labour like cramps, I called 111 as it didn’t feel right, and was sent to hospital. It turns out that it had perforated my uterus and was floating by my spleen. 😳

I had to have keyhole surgery to get it removed. Never again!

Having mine in was the most painful thing I've ever done and I've been through childbirth. I need to have it taken out now but I'm terrified it will hurt as much as having it put in.

Can anyone tell me what it's like having them taken out? Mine is copper in case it makes any difference,

I didn't really have any pain when either of mine were fitted.

Didn't feel it when it slipped into my cervix either.

Bloody well felt giving birth to dd2.

Please check your strings and if you're worried something is wrong then push for a check. I wouldn't be without her, but it deffo wasn't the plan!

I've had worse smears - barely felt either coil (copper and then Mirena) going in or being removed.

Relaxed resignation is the way to go. Get up there, get into position (the frog's legs thing where your hip joints are as open as possible) and then sigh. That relaxes your body the most. When you feel something, sigh through your nose again so you don't tense up and it's over and done with in moments. Then take a few seconds to sigh through your nose again, turn onto your side and gently push yourself up to sitting, breathe again and then you're OK to put your underwear back on again and get on with the rest of your day.

As an aside, I had a smear last week and I think they've changed the tool they get the cells with since my last one - this one was absolutely painfree. Either that or because I had it 4 days before I was due on instead of the week after, my cervix was lower and easier to access.

Either way, it's not anything I'd do for fun, but for most women, it's not that bad. And if it is uncomfortable, well, it's usually worth the discomfort in terms of no pregnancy and often, no periods, afterwards.

I had one fit last week it was uncomfortable but fine, they put an anaesthetic on your cervix.
The mild cramping after was more uncomfortable

Just make sure the lay of your uterus is checked before insertion. GP didn't bother and rammed the coil straight through the wall of my uterus. Cue agony, passing out, admission to hospital, internal ultrasounds, X-rays, an MRI and ultimately removal under GA.

I wouldn't have another put in for love nor money but I must add this was operator error not the fault of the coil!

I think a lot of it depends on the person putting it in.
My first was awful, 2 nurses that couldn't give a shit about me. (They actually rolled their eyes at each other when I said I wasn't expecting it to be that painful) it wasn't positioned correctly, I wasn't offered a follow up and it used to pop out of my cervix regularly (Apparently I was imagining the hard plastic I could feel when checking my strings)
The second was an absolute dream. Barely felt a thing, the doctor was kind and was even playing soothing music in the room!
This one is comfortable, and I've never felt any bits I shouldn't.

It was really no big deal. Like having a smear done. Bit of cramping after, but completely manageable.

Worst pain I've ever experienced in my life.

I ejected it four times during the fitting and it was only successful on the fifth attempt. Took 20 minutes. I had previously expressed concern about the fittng to the medical team as have previously been told by gynae that my uterus was retroverted, my cervix tilted and also 'tiny' (never given birth either) I was repeatedly told not to worry as they could give me something to help wih the pain.

Did they? Did they bollocks.

It's due for removal soon and I'm terrified. It worked brilliantly well for my crippling period pain and I'd like another for that reason but literally don't know how I'm going to make it onto that couch. I've missed smear appointments since having it fitted as I feel like I was deliberately misled about the fitting procedure and just don't trust anyone to go rummaging around in my vagina again.

I'd definitely take pain relief and maybe that diazepam before. Not because it's horrendous but because if you're nervous it will help. Mine really hurt but it was a man fitting it and with all due respect he hasn't got a vagina or cervix. He was really rough. But it only hurt for a matter of seconds then bad cramps at home after. Like severe period pain but once I pooped pain relief and hot water bottle was fine. And I'd have another which tells you all you need to know

Mine took 3 attempts (as in 3 appointments)/to fit. I have a tilted cervix and it was very painful. The first attempt I came close to fainting, the attempt was abandoned. The cervix wouldn't dilate enough apparently.

Second attempt was better, but abandoned again due to the same things.

The third was done in a hospital, she just about got it done that time.

I seem to have an awkward cervix. I'm always amazed at people who experience it so differently.

I had those tablets you insert to supposedly dilate your cervix but they didn't work great.

Take paracetomol beforehand. It's not painful, just uncomfortable. You will be okay. 😊

I also had xanax and pain relief (ponstan)

I've had three copper coils all with the local anaesthetic gel and no DC
The cervix clamp thing is uncomfy but ok once it's on. The measuring of the uterus I didn't feel
Actual coil insertion made me go "fuc.." but it didn't last long enough for me to finish the swear word!
The last one I went a bit faint and my BP dropped so I stayed lay down and they got a fan and I had some lucozade. Even with that I was only in there 20 mins
After I do get bad cramps so usually take painkillers and go for a sleep and am fine after that

I generally have a high pain threshold but find the clamps alone painful and so had it fitted at the hospital with a local. Take some paracetamol beforehand. It's been life changing (v heavy periods).

Wow I cant believe everyone saying it was nothing, just like a smear. Ive had two and both were awful. The second time I actually made this whimpering noise like I've never heard! That said, you just do it and get on with it. Maybe I've got a tilted cervix or something.

Coming out, never felt it.

First time was a doddle, hardly noticed it.

Second time (same doctor), hurt like hell and I went into cervical shock, passed out, ended up there for an hour on oxygen and had to beg them to let me drive home (because my other options were begging my Ex-husband or male boss to pick me up)

It was fine. But then I’ve had several rounds of IVF and a placenta removed manually so I’m pretty used to people rummaging around down there! I do have to say the Mirena coil absolutely changed my life, no more horrendous periods for me - it was well worth it.

The box it comes in though was definitely designed by a man!

Eat! Was supposed to be a 10 minute appointment but ended up being the an hour because my blood pressure dropped so much.