Funny lecture from OB nurse

[DrSally]

I called the OB office to schedule a minera "installation". Yes, I think I've finally decided on that route. She couldn't do it until next month. Great--AF is supposed to come over the 4th of July weekend and they only want to do it during AF. Anyway, the nurse then proceedes to give me a lecture on being "careful" b/c we're only using barrier methods (nursing my 2 yo). I kind of had to laugh, I mean, I'm a married 38 yo and managed to never get accidentally preggo in my life. I supposed it can always happen and she never knows what the circumstances are of the person she's talking to.

Anyway, I hope my insertion goes smoothly (I will be babysitting older neice and nephew, so either all the kids will stay at home with DH, or the older kids will sit in the waiting room with DS (possibly) and I'll take DD in with me. WWYD? Nephew is 11 (but has high functioning Aspergers), neice is 9 and very responsible, DS is 4.5. I'm actually more worried about nephew doing something impulsive and not really comfortable with leaving DS out in the waiting room. DH never likes when I leave the kids home when he's working from home, b/c it's very disruptive to him. I definitely don't want the older 2 to be in the room. I have taken both DS and DD to OB appts. (they just stand by my head).

From what I've read, many of you are happy with your Mirena and some have had bad experiences. I'm hoping that it's true that "very little" hormone gets into the bloodstream. I'm mostly wanting to avoid weight gain, acne, depression, and libido changes. From what I've read, your chances of these things are less than with the BCP.

[sdrew99]

I just had a Paragard inserted a month ago (I liked calling it an "installation" too!). I didn't bring my kids with me, but I did bring my mom! Only for moral support and I had read online that sometimes you can have some cramping and light-headedness and didn't want to drive, since my OB is a half an hour away.

Luckily, though, insertion was a BREEZE - I swear, I didn't even feel a thing. And I felt totally fine and could have driven home myself.

Good luck with your "installation!"

[ewpmsw]

Can't speak to Mirena, but I've had Paragard. My midwife recommended it because I wanted a no-hormone method of BC while I was BFing and after.

The insertion procedure took only a few minutes, and I normally take DD with me into Ob appointments now, but I wouldn't have wanted kids in the room or the waiting area for the insertion - Seems like being able to relax as much as possible during the insertion is helpful, and I personally wouldn't be very relaxed while worrying about what the kids were up to. That's just me - Maybe I'll feel differently when my kids are older. Could your DH watch them all just this one time and give you a break?

BTW, I got the "make sure you're using protection" lecture from the midwives at my post-partum appointments and after the IUD was inserted.

[TwoBees]

OP: I hope it goes well!

PPs, can you tell me more about the Paraguard? I'm considering it because I want a hassle-free, nonhormonal option but frankly, I'm really nervous about it, worried about side effects, etc.

[ewpmsw]

http://www.paragard.com/

I didn't have many side-effects to speak of while using Paragard. My periods were regular and heavier than usual for six months after I got it, then returned to their usual, irregular schedule. I was BFing at the time, so my hormones may have influenced this. I only had mild cramping after the procedure (felt like menstrual cramps). It was put in after I'd just finished my period, guess to make sure I wasn't pregnant. I wanted a non-hormonal method of BC because I was BFing and am super sensitive to the slightest hormonal shift. PPD was pretty bad for me and I just didn't want to do anything to make it worse - I've heard of people using hormone methods without issue, but my personal preference was to keep any extra hormonal interferance to a minimum.

It did take me several days to get used to the strings and learn how to tuck them back up inside without panicking that the thing was falling out. Sometimes I'd have to tuck them back up after sex, but it was really no biggie. I've used NuvaRing and it wasn't any more difficult than popping one of those in.

[sdrew99]

I'm pretty happy with mine, after only having it for one month. It was inserted at the end of my period, and I honestly didn't feel a thing. I spotted for about 5 days after that. I did feel quite bloated and crampy for about 3 weeks....I was hoping that would all go away after my first period, and I'm happy to say that it did.

My periods before were fairly light, and lasted about 4 days. My first post-IUD period was 6 days long and heavier than normal, but nothing crazy. I didn't notice my cramping to be any worse, either. Honestly, it was the bloating that bugged me the most!

I have felt my strings a few times, and my husband hasn't noticed them at all, so that is good. So far, so good - I'd say go for it!

[DrSally]

I just can't do a paraguard, as my periods are already *incredibly* heavy, so any BC option for me has to reduce that. I literally have a hard time leaving the house for the first 2 days, and have to get up multiple times at night.

[DrSally]

Originally Posted by sdrew99

I'm pretty happy with mine, after only having it for one month. It was inserted at the end of my period, and I honestly didn't feel a thing. I spotted for about 5 days after that. I did feel quite bloated and crampy for about 3 weeks....I was hoping that would all go away after my first period, and I'm happy to say that it did.

My periods before were fairly light, and lasted about 4 days. My first post-IUD period was 6 days long and heavier than normal, but nothing crazy. I didn't notice my cramping to be any worse, either. Honestly, it was the bloating that bugged me the most!

I have felt my strings a few times, and my husband hasn't noticed them at all, so that is good. So far, so good - I'd say go for it!

What did you get, the paraguard or Mirena? Was it ok to take Advil for the cramping?

[DrSally]

Maybe what I'll do is leave neice, nephew and DS home (they can all pretty much play independently), and take DD with me.

[emily_gracesmama]

I did have a bit of pain and cramping at insertion so I don't think I would have wanted anyone in there but I don't remember how old your daughter is when typing this. I remember saying ouch that hurts so I wouldn't want to upset my child. Also I am the get woozy type with pain so I needed to lay there for a bit so I didn't faint. But after a few mths of spotting I love it have had it over 2 yrs now