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.