IUD's pro's & Con's

RENAISSANCE RN · Jul 5, 2005

Copper T for me. I dont do well with hormones.. Dont have really a problem at all.. I did not find it painful to insert. I think it cost 125.00 for the device coinsurance and 20.00$ for the office visit.............. The OB said it was as affective as a tubal.. which is what I wanted.

Terri :rolleyes:

nursenatalie, ADN, RN · Jul 5, 2005

I had an IUD inserted after my first child was born 6 years ago. Had it removed and got pregnant with my second after only 2 months. The insertion was crampy and uncomfortable but not painful. I would recommend an IUD, definately

Trauma Columnist · Jul 5, 2005

I had a copper 7 that I used between my kids for five years - absolutely loved it! Then, after second child was born (1985), I had another copper 7, got my tubes tied in 1987, kept my copper 7 another few years and finally had it removed. I am not a pill or doctor person and for me - it was wonderful.

Krojas21 · Jul 5, 2005

Are you breast feeding? That may be why your MD is pushing something that can be progesterone only. So it won't diminish your milk supply, if not then who knows why she's pushing that choice other than becuase she's promoting it.

By the way:

I use the Patch and love it. I had nausea :barf02: for six hours after puting on a new patch (just the first of each new moths supply) for a couple of months but now every thing is great, and very convienent.

It's your choice what you use, look into all of them and make an informed choice based on what you want not someone else.

Blackcat99 · Jul 5, 2005

I would be afraid to get an IUD. I have heard too many "horror" stories about them. I remember hearing a story many years ago about a baby that was born and the IUD was imbedded in his head!!! Of course, I don't need any kind of birth control now due to my age :chuckle

dawn1971 · Jul 5, 2005

:) I have paraguard. Putting it in was HORRIBLE. They said to expect cramping and that I could drive myself home. I did so(barely), but was dizzy and was in a lot of pain. BESIDES that, I have had no problems, periods are slightly heavier (usually one dayis bad), no real cramps. Overall, I am happy with my decision.

allnurses Guide · Jul 5, 2005

I got pregnant with an IUD in place. Mind you, this was thirty years ago, but even back then, the Copper 7 was supposed to be 99.7 % effective. I'd only had it in for about three months when I conceived. My OB said it was more dangerous (infection, bleeding) to leave it in than to remove it, and if I was going to have a problem with the pregnancy, it would occur during the first two weeks following removal. I thought I'd made it through the danger time but on the 14th day, I miscarried. I was about six weeks along. I know some women have had to deal with tremendous grief with a first trimester loss, but I think my emotions were greatly insulated by the fact that after one normal cycle, I got pregnant again. I don't feel that the second baby replaced the first but rather that my focus changed.
I was only 20 when I had the IUD inserted and I already had two kids. My doctor was a very patriarchal sort who, more or less, told me I should have an IUD. Looking back, I think the message between the lines was clearly that I had no business getting pregnant again. I "obeyed" by getting the IUD, but after I got pregnant, I came to my senses and allowed myself to have the strong feelings I'd repressed regarding his judgmental attitude. Then I found the wonderful OB who explained the function of the IUD (preventing implantation but not pregnancy--which I would have opposed had I understood initially), removed the ineffective one, helped me through the miscarriage, and was a great doc throughout my subsequent pregnancies.
I don't know how today's IUDs function. I was upset to find out that conception could indeed occur with the kind I had, that the IUD only made the endometrial lining inhospitable to implantation. If I had to make that choice now and I knew that this was the current function, I could not choose an IUD. But at least one other poster mentioned IUDs that work differently to prevent conception.
I would also encourage anyone on any type of birth control other than sterilization to give a moment's thought to what you might do if your method failed. An IUD definitely has some advantages over methods that involve the user's actions on a daily to quarterly basis. In that respect, it's a much safer method than some. But speaking as a member of the 0.3 % club, surprises do happen.
I wish you wisdom in your decision.
Miranda F.

In the last 4 years I've helped deliver two babies who were conceived with IUD's in place and the doc said to just leave the IUD in place as it would be more dangerous to remove it. Both babies born fine - no IUD implanted in their heads. IUD removal was a bit hard though after delivery -

So, you can and do get pregnant with IUD's.

We've had a thread on this before and so if you've heard this from me - sorry - but the truth for me is that the best birth control method for me was natural family planning - you know, the check your temp and cervical mucous in the morning thing. I used this in my early 20's when I first got married because I was not comfortable putting chemicals in my body (typical 70's organic hippie-type girl) :) I found this to be quite an education for me about my body and how it works. I never got pregnant.

After a few years, I started using a diaphragm. I got my two boys while I was using that as birth control - (you have to stop what you are doing, get out of bed, walk into the bathroom, open the medicine cabinet, get out the diaphragm . . . . :rotfl: which I neglected to do . .. :rotfl:

We actually tried to get pregnant with my daughter.

As most of you know, my almost 4 year old son is a product of husband missing vasectomy appointment and we are so grateful. :)

steph

rn/writer, RN · Jul 5, 2005

In my family, I am known as Fertile Myrtle. I got pregnant during the first month that my husband and I got together (sexually, not socially). I got pregnant after two months on the pill, I think because of an antibiotic I was taking. I got pregnant with an IUD (see earlier post). I got pregnant with a diaphragm. Heck, I think I got pregnant just standing down wind from my husband. Our first two kids are 13 months apart to the day. The second two are 17 months apart to the day. For those keeping score, that's three kids in 30 months. They were all born on the 20th of different months so when I say, "to the day," I mean it. I got some time off for good behavior and then had two more 3 and 6 years later. Oh, and then we adopted one so I once "got pregnant" remotely.

We told our kids they had better think long and hard before engaging in premarital sex because every chance we took has a name.

Miranda F.

LizzyL&DRN · Jul 5, 2005

I just got the Mirena put in about 4 weeks ago. I was 10 weeks postpartum when it was put in. My OB used some lidocaine spray and gel to numb my cervix and it was not at all painful. One word of warning, I was told that I could have 3 months of irregular bleeding which I didn't realize would start so soon. I didn't take any pads with me and bled through my pants on the drive home. I think that was only from the insertion (i should have known better) because it stopped in a couple of hours. Since the insertion I have had irregular spotting only. Only enough for a pantyliner. I am still nursing my baby also with no problems.:) My OB told me that the Mirena IUD prevents pregnancy.... I wouldn't have gotten it if it only prevented implantation. My insurance didn't cover the IUD so I had to pay for it. It costs the doc about $380. My doc normally charges $450 for it.

IUD's
I am doing some research on whether IUD's are still safe or not. I just had my 3rd child and my OB wants me to have one. I don't hear too many positive things about them though. The Mirena or the PAraguard. Any input.

Kaseyrn2b · Jul 5, 2005

[My OB told me that the Mirena IUD prevents pregnancy.... I wouldn't have gotten it if it only prevented implantation.

Me too!This is true! Don't know where the abortion connection rumor ever started but, its false. My OB said some are opposed to it b/c if you insert an IUD AFTER you're pg, it can cause an abortion...then he went on to say..'course if I stuck a nickle up there, it would do that too :chuckle Obviously I have an IUD and love it..never had any probs, or pain...had one btwn kidlets and no probs getting pg w/#2

Sorry to rant but I get sooooo peeved hearing I am getting pg every month...ummm no, I think I'd know! think of the havoc it would wrek on your body!!!! JMHO

Good luck :)

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2005

I had a Lippeys loop many years ago, loved it but got pregnant with my now 31 year old daughter! The IUD was born a few days before she was, but no problem with the pregnancy.

I was on the pill until 18 mo months ago when I turned 50 and they would not let me use the pill anymore. I am still having regular periods so I needed something for birth control. I got a paraguard at that time. Insersion was a bit painful, but fine as soon as it was in. I do have very heavy periods but only for a day or so, then lighter flow. I have no cramping or discomfort with my periods or any other time.

It is very convenient, no maintenence and it beats using condoms. My husband doesn't notice it, and I will have it removed whenever I stop needing it.

JAHJF · Jul 6, 2005

I've also heard horror stories like someone mentioned but they are all about the Dalcon shield from the 70's and it was pulled from the market (IUDs weren't something the FDA looked at then).

The Mirena is FDA approved (which may or may not mean anything to you).

Mirena has more than one action for preventing pregnancy (blocking sperm from reaching egg, thinning uterus lining, and may stop release of egg from ovary r/t hormones) but most likely a part of each working together.

I have read how some people feel that an IUD in place causes an abortion each month (I don't feel that way, but that's me, you have to make your own choice). But I have heard of people using the placement of a copper IUD as emergency contraception (kinda like the morning after pill?).

Call your OB office, talk to the nurses, see if any of them that you trust to give you an honest opinion, and see what they think.

Talk to your OB about their reason for recommending the IUD for you. :)