Spiral after childbirth

Whether you are young or older, and have had children or not, everyone is welcome to join us for the installation, replacement and/or removal of an IUD. So even if you are not known to our practice.

The IUD is a flexible, plastic anchor (24 to 36 mm long) that is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two wires attached to it that come a little way out of the cervix. During sex, you or your partner normally don't feel anything. These wires are needed to remove the IUD.

Two types of IUDs:

• the copper coil: copper is wrapped around the plastic anchor (T-safe) or consists of a number of copper balls that sit on a flexible frame that curls into a convex shape in the uterus (Ballerine).
• the hormone-containing IUD: hormones have been added to the anchor (Mirena or Kyleena).

How long does an IUD last?

An IUD can remain in place for five years, the T-safe copper IUD even ten years. An IUD is a great advantage for women who: birth control for a longer period of time, but do not want a permanent, irreversible method. Of course, the IUD can also be used for a shorter period, for example between two pregnancies. The coil can be removed at any time.

Breastfeeding

The IUD can be placed from 10-12 weeks (preferably 12 weeks) after delivery and has no influence on the quantity and quality of breastfeeding.

When not to use an IUD

Although the IUD is suitable for almost every woman, there are a number of exceptions, also called contraindications, namely:

• When there is a uterus with an abnormal shape
• At the time of posting you have one STD (venereal disease)
• You are pregnant
• There is unexplained blood loss/abdominal complaints

Further:

• A copper IUD is less suitable for women who naturally have heavy periods. If you have a copper allergy, a copper IUD is not recommended.
• A hormone-containing IUD may be unsuitable for women who are sensitive to certain hormones. Sometimes there is a medical indication not to choose this type of coil.

Is the IUD not suitable for you? Then look for other forms of contraception www.anticonceptie.nl

Inserting the IUD

Inserting the IUD is simple and quite quick.

After sitting on the examination table, the position of the cervix and uterus is checked with an internal examination. A speculum (duckbill) is then inserted into the vagina to clearly see the cervix.

To know whether the uterus is suitable for the IUD, the length of the uterus is measured with a probe (thin rod). The IUD is then removed from the packaging and prepared for placement. The coil is inserted into the uterus with the insertion sleeve. Finally, the sleeve is pulled back and the wires are cut to the correct length.

Although the installation itself takes about 5 minutes, it can cause an unpleasant or sometimes painful feeling. It is best to do two hours in advance paracetamol tablets or one ibuprofen take to reduce pain. A slightly filled bladder often makes insertion a little easier. After installation it is wise to take a rest.

You may experience abdominal cramps or a nagging feeling in the lower abdomen after placement. Irregular bleeding also occurs because the body has to get used to the IUD. This can take 3 to 6 months. With a hormone-containing IUD, blood loss during menstruation is often reduced; 1 in 5 women no longer menstruates at some point.

After placement, we use an ultrasound to check whether the coil is properly seated in your uterus. If desired, we will arrange a follow-up check, 4 to 6 weeks after placement or after the 1st^e menstruation, off.

Advantages of a spiral:

• The reliability of both the copper IUD and the hormone IUD is high, namely >99%.
• You cannot forget the IUD, just like the pill is sometimes forgotten. This makes this form of contraception suitable for women with an active and irregular lifestyle.
• Diarrhea or vomiting has no influence on the effectiveness, so you are continuously optimally protected. This means that you can have sex without any worries and do not have to constantly think about your contraception. It does not protect against STDs.
• The IUD is ideal for women who prefer no or fewer added hormones in their body, or who are still breastfeeding. The copper IUD contains no hormones and the hormone-containing IUD contains a very low dose of hormones.
• You are protected for years to come.

Cons

The disadvantages of an IUD are mainly practical.

• Insertion and removal can be experienced as a painful treatment.
• Also, menstruation cannot be planned with an IUD.

What are the costs for a spiral & its installation

Placing an IUD and the costs for the IUD itself can be reimbursed by your health insurer, depending on how you are insured. Check the policy conditions to see what your health insurer does or does not reimburse. If we cannot declare the installation to the health insurer, we will send you an invoice for around €65. The costs for the coil itself will be declared by the pharmacy (if the health insurer does not reimburse this).

Placing an IUD at Midwives Dronten from February-March

It is currently not possible to have an IUD placed in our midwifery practice. We are working hard to ensure that you can have your IUD installed from February or March. Would you like to have an IUD placed with us? Feel free to send an email or contact us by calling and we will tell you whether this is already possible.