How long after giving birth should I have the IUD inserted?

If a married couple is not mentally prepared to have a baby, it is very important that they take contraceptive measures while they are trying to integrate their relationship. At the same time, expectant mothers become very weak after giving birth, which makes contraceptive measures very important. If they have sex without taking contraceptive measures after giving birth, once they become pregnant, their health will become worse and worse.

Therefore, many postpartum mothers will use simple and convenient IUDs for contraception. So, when is the right time to insert the IUD after childbirth? What discomfort may occur after inserting the IUD? What issues should be paid attention to after inserting the IUD?

When is the right time to insert the IUD after childbirth?

You can consider inserting an IUD immediately after a normal birth, 42 days after birth, 3 months after birth, and 6 months after a cesarean section. If menstruation has resumed, the IUD should be inserted 3 to 7 days after the menstruation ends; if menstruation has not yet resumed, pregnancy should be ruled out before inserting the IUD. If abnormal conditions such as lochia retention, uterine bleeding, and postpartum infection occur after delivery, you should wait until the disease is cured before considering IUD insertion. During breastfeeding, the uterine cavity is smaller and the uterine wall is thinner. The doctor should measure the uterus and choose an intrauterine device of appropriate size. After stopping breastfeeding and the uterus returns to normal, it is necessary to replace it with a slightly larger intrauterine device.

IUD insertion is a minor operation and does not require hospitalization. Postpartum mothers who are considering having an IUD inserted should go to the hospital at the appropriate time as mentioned above, first undergo a gynecological examination, routine leucorrhea examination, and have their temperature taken. If no abnormalities are found, they can go to the outpatient operating room to have the IUD inserted.

There are many types of intrauterine contraceptive devices. After years of practical improvements, the devices currently used in clinical practice are mostly copper-containing or drug-containing devices. The stent materials are plastic, polyethylene, memory alloy, etc., and the shapes are not single, including round, T-shaped, V-shaped, Y-shaped and chain-shaped. Contraceptive devices made of different materials and in different shapes have their own characteristics, and therefore can be suitable for women with different physiques and needs. The surgeon needs to make a comprehensive judgment based on the size and shape of the mother's uterus after delivery, as well as the previous circumstances of the IUD insertion, and choose the "ring" of the appropriate shape and model.

What discomfort may occur after the IUD is inserted?

Since the IUD is a foreign body to the body, the uterus's response to the foreign body is to attempt to expel it through contraction. Therefore, the main discomforts after IUD insertion include lower abdominal discomfort, mild back pain, increased leucorrhea, slight vaginal bleeding or increased menstrual flow. It takes some time for the uterus to adapt to the "ring". These discomforts will generally disappear gradually within 3 months and no special treatment is required.

What should you pay attention to after the ring

The following issues should be noted after the IUD is inserted: rest for 1 to 2 days and avoid heavy physical labor within 1 week to prevent the "ring" from falling off and bleeding; keep the vulva clean and do not take a bath or have sex within 1 week; pay attention to whether the "ring" falls off within the first 3 months; have regular check-ups, generally follow up once every 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the IUD is inserted, and then have a review once a year.

Expectant mothers may develop some hidden gynecological diseases after giving birth, so in order to ensure the health of the mother, they should not have an IUD inserted right after giving birth. Expectant mothers should not have sexual intercourse before the IUD is inserted, nor should they rush to have sexual intercourse after the IUD is inserted, as this may cause the IUD to suddenly fall off after delivery, resulting in an unexpected pregnancy.