After giving birth to my second child in 2018, I knew I was done. We may not be done growing our family (as we are considering adoption), but I made the personal choice to not go through pregnancy again.
This brought me to a discussion with my partner and with my OBGYN about birth control.
I had been on the pill much of my adult life as I had heavy flow periods and the birth control helped alleviate and regulate my cycles. I didn’t want to do the pill anymore as my heavier periods were coming back. I also didn’t want to have to worry about a shot or wear a sticky patch. I was also unsure about the IUD but honestly, I can’t remember why.
My doctor thought that option made the most sense for me so we scheduled an appointment right away. If you follow along with my other Des Moines Moms Blog posts, you know that for me information is power. I reached out to some friends who got IUDs recently to answer all of my questions.
Intrauterine Device Facts
And, today I want to share my findings and personal experience with YOU, because again – information is power!
What IS an IUD?
According to WebMD, “IUD” stands for “intrauterine device.” Shaped like a “T” and a bit bigger than a quarter, an IUD fits inside your uterus. It prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from reaching and fertilizing eggs. Right now, there are five types available in the United States.
Did it hurt?
Kind of, but it was not even close to having a contraction. I did get a bit light-headed and had to lay down, but other than that I was able to go back to work that same day. I experienced mild cramping, and of course it is different for everyone. You might want to schedule a day off to stay home under a hot pad binging Queer Eye on Netflix (I also recommend Workin’ Moms on Netflix). The entire process took only a few minutes in my OBGYN office.
Does your partner feel it?
No. Next question.
Does your period go away?
Mine has! Again, the experience is different for everyone. For me, it took about three months of light periods to go away completely – which is what the doctor told me to expect. I am going through a phase where I hate tampons, so I have invested in a lot of Thinx underwear. I was so happy to say goodbye to those death sticks forever!
How long does it last?
Hormonal IUDs last 3-6 years, while a non-hormonal, or a copper, IUD could last up to 12 years!
Is it for everyone?
Definitely not. In every case, you should always talk through options with your doctor. Note that IUDs do not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
There is much more to getting an IUD that I haven’t covered, but I wanted to go over the main mom-related questions that I had before I got one! If you have any more questions, explore this website or talk to your doctor!
Does anyone else have an IUD?
