Hello all- next week I am scheduled to have an IUD put in. We have our two girls and are done making our family. I still haven't decided whether I should get the Mirena or Paraguard- any thoughts? I have heard both sides of the story with the pain of placement & after effects. What happened to you?
Hi everyone, thank you for your help. I just got back from the doctor. I decided on the Mirena because it has a lower pregnancy rate. Just some cramping, nothing too bad.
To answer in a nut shell....a bit. I just had the Mirena put in yesterday around noon. It pinched and there was a bit of discomfort when the doctor prep'd and put in the Mirena. After it was put in, i had some cramping, like a period, for most of yesterday and some bleeding, like a lite period. Today I have no cramps and some spotting. I hope this helps.
An IUD is a great form of birth control. I had mine put in at my 6 week check-up after giving birth to our second son. I didn't even notice a difference in a regular check-up and having my IUD placed. Every year I go to my annual and my doctor checks it while he's there and I have never felt it ever and I have had it for 8 years now and I love it. Me and my husband have spotaneous sex when and where ever we can and with two children that's not a choice, lol!
Well it sure doesn't hurt as much as birth! haha. If you've had a canal birth, I've heard it hurts a lot less. I had a c-section and got the paraguard. It hurt a bit for the first day (kind of like a pinch when you get a shot and then like cramps) and once in a while it is annoying (like the scraping feeling you get during your period). I decided to get Paraguard over Mirena for many reasons:
1 Paraguard has been around a lot longer.
2 I don't want any other hormones in my body than I already have
3 I prefer to have a regular period (on the slight chance that I became pregnant, how would I know? and it feels more natural to me to have a period)
4 It lasts longer (10 years as opposed to 5)
5 It was less expensive
Do not be scared! I was teary-eyed and was so worried and it really was no big deal. I think the pain I did feel was because I was so tense. Just make sure you find someone who's "done this a thousand times" as my gyno was. She was calm, confident, and quick! If your doc doesn't have a lot of experience doing this ask "who does?" and make appt w/them. Oh yeah and take the ibuprophen like the other girl says. And don't let the doctor talk you into any other IUD than what you want. Both of my doc's tried to talk me into Mirena as they always do with "the new thing". I, personally, prefer the old that is proven.
I got the Paragaurd - primarily because I am still nursing my 10 month old and prefer not have any synthetic hormones delivered to my baby via breast milk.
But I agree with Laurel, I prefer to keep my cycle as natural as possible while still having reliable, worry-free birth control. Minimizing the amount of synthetic hormones and medications into my body.
The insertion was a bit uncomfortable. A pinch lasting maybe 30-60 seconds. Afterwards I had some cramping for a couple days along with some spotting. I suggest bringing a panty liner with you to the Gyn. I have heard that it may make your periods heavier for a few months, but as I am still nursing my period hasn't returned yet.
All in all I love my IUD. It allows me complete worry-free birth control. I don't have to worry about taking a pill everyday, or even changing a patch every week. I appreciate that it is hormone-free.
The insertion hurts some, yes... like bad cramps. I would take 800 mg of ibuprofen before you go in, and you should be okay. I highly recommend the Paragard if you have any problem with hormones at all. The Paragard is completely hormone free, you're not messing with your natural cycle, etc. My periods are probably slightly heavier, but not terribly so. Anyway, good luck! I think you'll like the IUD. I know I love my Paragard.
