maiaann
02-22-2011, 07:51 PM
I thought I'd write a post about my experience since I researched and read every other post in this forum on the subject. In a nutshell, my experience was a piece of cake.
A little background - I've had 3 vaginal births with epidurals. My pain threshold is quite low (bring on the painkillers) and I chickened out the first time I was scheduled to get the Mirena inserted.
First off, I was quite nervous...
I went in this morning, picked up the Mirena (it comes in a huge box!) from the pharmacy and went by the lab to have a pregnancy urine test. I waited in the lobby, and then waited nervously in the exam room forever. About 40 minutes after my appointed time, the dr came in. She examined my uterus for shape & size and then applied iodine on my cervix. She also injected lidocaine to numb the cervix which is probably the biggest reason I didn't really feel any pain. I'm not sure all drs do lidocaine, but if it is an option - I would request it!
She then inserted the "sound" and measured my uterus at an 8. That satisfied her so I signed the consent to insert the mirena. I didn't feel her take the measurement at all. She then inserted the mirena while I held the nurse's hand. My legs were shaking but it went pretty fast. I felt a twinge on my right side, but that was really all the discomfort I experienced during insertion. When she went to trim the strings, she must have tugged too hard because the mirena came out. Major bummer. The nurse got her a new mirena, she re-inserted it (this time I felt no twinge), and cut the strings. While I was laying there she did a vaginal ultrasound to make sure it was correctly positioned. She did not have me feel for the strings internally, but she did give me the ones she cut so I would be familiar with what they felt like. I was a bit dizzy afterwards, but it subsided after about 5-10 minutes, and I had no trouble driving myself home.
Once I got home I started having some cramping. I've been taking Advil every 4 hours. She told me no swimming (I'm a swimmer), tampons, or intercourse for a week.
I am aware of the Mirena, but I think it's just because my cervix was manipulated and is a bit tender. Naturally, I'm also very conscious that there is now a piece of plastic inside me. It feels a bit like a tampon. I'm hoping in a few days I don't notice it or even think about it. I have short cycles (22-24 days) and long days of bleeding (7 days), so I'm hoping this not only works as a contraception, but also lessens/eliminates my heavy periods.
I'll post an update in a few days if anyone is interested.
A little background - I've had 3 vaginal births with epidurals. My pain threshold is quite low (bring on the painkillers) and I chickened out the first time I was scheduled to get the Mirena inserted.
First off, I was quite nervous...
I went in this morning, picked up the Mirena (it comes in a huge box!) from the pharmacy and went by the lab to have a pregnancy urine test. I waited in the lobby, and then waited nervously in the exam room forever. About 40 minutes after my appointed time, the dr came in. She examined my uterus for shape & size and then applied iodine on my cervix. She also injected lidocaine to numb the cervix which is probably the biggest reason I didn't really feel any pain. I'm not sure all drs do lidocaine, but if it is an option - I would request it!
She then inserted the "sound" and measured my uterus at an 8. That satisfied her so I signed the consent to insert the mirena. I didn't feel her take the measurement at all. She then inserted the mirena while I held the nurse's hand. My legs were shaking but it went pretty fast. I felt a twinge on my right side, but that was really all the discomfort I experienced during insertion. When she went to trim the strings, she must have tugged too hard because the mirena came out. Major bummer. The nurse got her a new mirena, she re-inserted it (this time I felt no twinge), and cut the strings. While I was laying there she did a vaginal ultrasound to make sure it was correctly positioned. She did not have me feel for the strings internally, but she did give me the ones she cut so I would be familiar with what they felt like. I was a bit dizzy afterwards, but it subsided after about 5-10 minutes, and I had no trouble driving myself home.
Once I got home I started having some cramping. I've been taking Advil every 4 hours. She told me no swimming (I'm a swimmer), tampons, or intercourse for a week.
I am aware of the Mirena, but I think it's just because my cervix was manipulated and is a bit tender. Naturally, I'm also very conscious that there is now a piece of plastic inside me. It feels a bit like a tampon. I'm hoping in a few days I don't notice it or even think about it. I have short cycles (22-24 days) and long days of bleeding (7 days), so I'm hoping this not only works as a contraception, but also lessens/eliminates my heavy periods.
I'll post an update in a few days if anyone is interested.