Cramps

The past two evenings, both Saturday and Sunday nights I have experienced minor cramping that is associated with the Copper 'T'. I know it is the 'T' and not menstrual cramps because I have been tracking my body temperature each morning as part of my fertility awareness, and I know that I ovulated only a few days ago and should therefore not be feeling menstrual cramps yet.

On Saturday evening, the cramps were sharp and short. I treated the cramps with a hot water bottle, and a lot of laying on my back and side. I fell asleep beside my partner at 8pm. He had put on an old TV series that we like for entertainment, and I passed out because it had been a busy day. We were able to go on with business as usual in the morning. There is no pain during or after intercourse.

On Sunday, the pains were not as sharp, but were lasting for longer periods of time- mins at a time instead of 2 mins. We went for a walk and drank tea. I fell asleep very quickly once our heads hit our pillows. What I am experiencing is considered to be normal, so I'm not overly concerned at this point. I has been exactly 2 week today since first having the Copper 'T' inserted, and all is well, just a few little reminders from time to time that I am still adjusting to carrying an extra copper passenger.

One Week

Hey All,

One week has passed since the insertion of the Copper 'T'. So you know what that means! My partner and I attempted to have intercourse after waiting our one-week grace period after the insertion process. I felt no pain, and no discomfort with intercourse. My partner and I were conscious of the potential for my cervix being sore or tender from the procedure, and we have continued the use of condoms as a barrier method. Condoms are used in the second week following the insertion of the Copper 'T' as a preventative method of developing an infection. When I visit Dr. Brown four weeks from now for a check-up appointment, he will examine me for infection or possible infamation that would be caused by infection. I am feeling healthy and strong this morning, and have no sensation from the Copper 'T'- so I am happy and confident about it.

My partner and I had a talk last night about our experience of having to find alternative forms of intimacy over the course of this past week. We spent our week drinking tea and dancing together in our kitchen, cuddling, giving and recieving back massages, and we even took a few naps together. My experience was that finding new forms of intimacy, and re-visiting some of those lost gems has me feeling more attracted to my partner,and very excited about the love that we share. Sometimes the act of intercourse leaves me feeling unfulfilled in an emotional sense, and it is the act of being held or just being touched through massage that I crave, rather than sex.

It has been an interesting week. I have felt cramping, I have spotted and bled, I've wanted to be intimate in ways that I could not, and I have rediscovered some of the real beauty in human connection with my partner.

Here is a good link to show you how to use both male a female condoms EFFECTIVELY. The Copper 'T' cannot protect you from STI/STD's, so it's important to remember to use barrier methods in combination with the Copper 'T' if you change sexual partners, or if you are not familiar with the sexual health of your new partner.

http://sexualityandu.ca/adults/sti-2.aspx

So...can you feel anything?

Hello All, 

 The last 2 days with my Copper 'T' have been very uneventful.  I am free of pain, and free of spotting.  I did manage to have a bit of a mental and emotional breakdown on the night of the 3rd- I am guess it was as a result of exhaustion, and an over analysis of the weeks events.

I was asked last night by a close friend if there is a physical presence in my body with the Copper 'T' in place.  I cannot feel anything extra inside myself, unless I take a couple fingers and reach to feel the two small strings that are hanging one inch outside of my cervix.  There is no sensation or pressure mounting in my abdomen.  The Copper'T' is the least 'present' form of birth control I have ever used, because I do not have to take a pill, change a ring, or take a shot at a doctor's office.  I have not officially used the Copper 'T' as birth control yet.  My partner and I are respecting the one week grace period that the doctor alerted us to, as a precautionary method of preventing infection during the healing and setting-in of the Copper 'T'.  We have been enjoying lots of cuddling and massages all week. :)

Thank you again for following.  Please check out some of the resources I have posted in the side bar, and watch the video I have posted in my 2nd blog entry for a visual of the insertion process.

Day 4..and the G(irls) 20 Summit

Today I experienced no cramping! I have been happily riding my bike and garden without any cramping, although some mild spotting was still making an appearance earlier in the day. My partner and I are making a conscious effort to be affectionate, without actually having intercourse. Incase you've forgotten, Dr. Brown instructed me to abstain from intercourse during my first week with the Copper 'T'. My partner and I have been working on back rubs, foot massages, and...well, feeding each other ice cream, while cuddling.

I found this article today. Prior to the G20 Summit that will be happeing in Toronto from June 25-27, there is a G(irls)20 Summit congregating in the city from June 15-18. 20 women from the countries represented at the international Summit are meeting to discuss international issues, specifically those surrounding the UN's millenium development goals (MDG's) from a young women's perspective. All of the participants are between the ages of 18 and 20, and maternal health will be one of the main points of discussion during the event. The event is sponsored by Google, 20 NGO's....and a few others. Read on.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/maternal/girls-summit-to-precede-g20/article1556456/

Up Late

Last night I started to experience a bit of cramping and what felt like movement in my lower right abdomen. I drank some cold water and laid out on the sofa for a while reading. I noticed that I was experiencing spotting- heavy enough to be mistaken for the last day of my period. I didn't bother myself to worry, because I have been warned that the amount of spotting/bleeding I was experiencing was quite normal. I took one Advil and stayed on the sofa reading with a cup of tea. This morning, my partner woke me up- still on the sofa with my book within arms reach. I took my temperature, as I do ever morning as part of my fertility awareness practice, and slowly lumbered into our bedroom for a few more winks of sleep. I'm feeling the smallest amount of cramping today, and bleeding that is heavier than just spotting.

Here is a resource from the Globe and Mail that was released a couple of years ago about the IUD's effectiveness reducing endometrial cancer.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/iuds-reduce-cancer-risk-study-shows/article683841/actions.jsp

The Insertion Appointment

So here is a play-by-play of the experience my partner and I had at my insertion.

We met Dr. Brown at the reception desk of the Jane St. Toronto Public Health Clinic. He shook our hands and the three of us walked to the examination room together, outfitted with the exam table, stirrups, two chairs, that lamp we all love, as well as the instrumentation for the insertion process. After offering to answer any questions that have come up since my consultation appointment with the public health nurse last week, Dr. Brown explained the process to my partner and I, and then gave us a few moments alone in the room for me to undress below the waist and take my seat on the exam table. The rest of the process went as follows;

1. Dr. Brown performed a manual examination, the same way that you would be manually examined for your annual pap smear test; two gloved fingers are inserted into the vaginal opening to allow the doctor to feel for the placement of your uterus, ovaries, and to check for the presence of any cysts or abnormalities.

3. The speculum was inserted, again following the process that one experiences during a pap smear test.

2. Dr. Brown used a soft plastic brush dipped in iodine to clean the surface of my cervix, which prevents infection if any scraping occurs during the procedure. My partner began holding my arm in his hand as he watched Dr. Brown- I believe this was the point when my partner began preparing himself for the spectacle of watching what was about to happen , and that holding onto my arm helped him as much as it calmed meJ. ( Be warned- my partner is a sensitive man, and the procedure is not really anything to be afraid of.)

3. A clip was used to assist in opening my cervix enough to allow for smooth entry of the small applicator that contained the Copper 'T' to be inserted. To be completely honest, the clip was painful, however, only momentarily so. During the placement and readjustment of the clip, my partner held and kissed my hand to try and ease the pain that I wore on my face. The pain was momentary.

4. Once the cervical clip was in place, the actual insertion of the Copper 'T' was quite uneventful and happened without any physical sensation. A small pair of scissors were used to trim the strings that hang from the Copper 'T', leaving them at about ¾'s of an inch in length; long enough that I can feel the tip of the string with my finger just against the opening of my cervix.

5. After the applicator was removed, Dr. Brown unfastened the cervical clip and swabbed my cervix once more with iodine to clean and disinfect the area. The disinfection process is important in a clinical setting because clinical space still contains airborne bacteria, and the potential contamination of instruments and the environment is always possible, though nothing to worry yourself with.

6. I was instructed to slide my way out of the stirrups and continue lying down on the table. Dr. Brown talked to my partner and me about aftercare and possible side effects that I may experience. We are to abstain from sexual intercourse or contact for one week entirely, again as a preventative step in avoiding infection- no touching, no kissing, licking, stimulation or whatever else you want to call sexual contact with my vulva or general genital area. My partner is still fair game. Dr. Brown encouraged the use of condoms for an additional week as a preventative step toward avoiding potential infection- so we are going to follow his advice. I was warned that I may feel cramping and experience spotting for one or two days following my visit to the clinic that day.

I was given an information sheet, as well as instructions to return to the clinic in six weeks for a follow-up appointment that will allow Dr. Brown to check that the strings are in place, and that no inflammation has occurred. My partner helped me put on my socks and shoes, kissed me on the forehead, and made sure I was comfortable enough to walk out of the clinic.
Upon leaving the clinic, I felt slightly nauseated and started to feel cramping that was similar to very intense gas pains that one might have in the lower abdomen. Though I do not usually use over-the-counter pain relief medication, my partner had purchased Advil liquid-gels for me in advance and I took two one the cramping started.

My partner served me cold iced tea and played guitar for me once we arrived back home. The cramping was uncomfortable, but manageable. We talked about the experience, and my partner said that he was honoured that I wanted him to be with me during the procedure, and grateful to have mutually discussed and shared our birth control decisions. He even said that after going through the long decision making process and the actual procedure together, that he feels our relationship is stronger.

As Advil wore off, I took more to stop/minimize the pain and discomfort of the cramping. I experienced some slight spotting in the evening. My partner made a special trip to the store to stock up on some supplies he thought would be helpful for me- I took a photo of the list he hurriedly wrote as he was running out the door that I have posted for your enjoyment.

Overall, the experience was positive, with the most undesirable part of the process being the momentary pain caused by the cervical clip. The cramping was manageable, and I made a list of 'Cramping Comforts' that you too might want to try.

Cramping Comforts
Warm herbal tea
Back rubs
Laying on my side with my knees bent @ 90 degrees
Napping with my partner
Taking a warm shower before bed
Going for a walk outside

This morning was a new day. I woke up and felt completely comfortable. I rode my bike to a meeting, and I feel sexy in a jean skirt, though I am wearing one of the eco-friendly panty liners that my partner made a special trip to the store for yesterday. Today I am cramp-free and feeling happy. I will report back tomorrow with my findings, and possibly some more resources to share with you.

Thank you for following,
Rachael



Point of Information (POI): My partner and I have been discussing birth control options for several months. When we came to the decision of giving the Copper 'T' a test run, I had to begin the process by seeing a public health nurse for a consultation appointment, having a pap performed, as well as having cervical and vaginal smears taken to determine if I may currently be carrying and sexual transmitted infections (STI's). Upon receiving the negative results of both tests back from the sexual health clinic, indicating that my pap was 'normal' and that my smears did not indicate the presence of STI's I was approved for the Copper 'T'. The next step was to wait for my menstrual cycle to begin. An Copper 'T' is best inserted between the 1st and 12th days of your menstrual cycle, however, having the insertion take place during the time that you are bleeding is best. I called the clinic once the time in my cycle was appropriate, visited the clinic on the same day for my insertion.

A Visual- The Insertion Process

Insertion Day

In a couple of hours, my partner and I will be heading to the clinic for my insertion appointment. I'm feeling a little nervous this morning about the experience, and I recognise that most of the fear comes from not knowing what to expect from the insertion and how I will react to having a small foreign object inside of me. I am still confident in my decision to try out the Copper 'T', and these blog entries are helping my keep track of my process- not to mention keeping me centred. I'll be blogging again later today with updates about the insertion appointment, as well as the initial feelings and physical reactions I may or may not experience this afternoon.

For those of you who are interested, here is a short animated video of the insertion process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuPFbgSm0QQ

Welcome

Hello Blog Followers,

My name is Rachael, and I am a 23 year old woman in long-term relationship with a male partner. We currently live together in downtown Toronto, and have been busy setting up our new apartment and getting connected to our community.

For many years, hormonal contraceptives were my method of birth control. From the ages of 16 to 19, I used two varieties of birth control pills, including Alesse 21 and Yasmin. I began using the Nuva Ring for a period of two and a half years, from the age of 20 to 22.

I took a break from relationships, and decided that it was time for me to revisit my decision to continue my hormonal contraceptive use. For nearly a year, I have been off of hormonal contraceptives, and relying entirely on the proper and diligent use of condoms. My partner and I have been discussing alternatives and additions to our current birth control practice, and decidedly we are both happier with me not having to take hormones. Our search for a non-hormonal based efficient method of birth control as lead us to the Copper 'T' intrauterine device (IUD).

The Copper 'T' is a non-hormonal IUD that is inserted through the vaginal canal, and into the uterus through a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes, and can be performed at a sexual health clinical or an OB/GYNO office. Here is a link that can provide you with further details and research about the Copper 'T'.
http://www.arhp.org/Publications-and-Resources/Patient-Resources/Fact-Sheets/Copper-T-IUD

Tonight I am preparing myself mentally and emotionally for the procedure, which will take place tomorrow afternoon. My partner and I are visiting the Jane and Bloor Street Sexual Health Clinic together for the insertion appointment. I have been researching this process, the side effects, and the popularity of the Copper 'T' for months, and with my partners support I have decided to give the Copper 'T' a try.

I will be updating this blog frequently with hopes that my blogged experiences can educate and mentor other women and their partners who are seeking alternatives to hormonal contraceptive choices. I will be blogging daily for the first 2 weeks, and during my first menstrual cycle with the Copper 'T' in place. I will continue the blog for 3 months, just to give the most comprehensive view I can of my personal experience. Please check back regularly to see my updates as my experience continues.

Thank you for following,
Rachael