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What To Expect During an IUD Insertion (ParaGard IUD or Mirena IUD)

By Dawn Stacey M.Ed, LMHC, About.com

Updated: June 5, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Meredith Shur, MD

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Stabilizing the Cervix

Speculum

Photo Reprinted with permission from J. Scott
At this point, your health-care professional will hold open the vagina by using a speculum, which resembles a metal beak of a duck. The instrument is inserted into the vagina, then its blades are separated and held open by a special action device on the handle.

Once this is accomplished, due to the importance of having a completely sterile environment to reduce the likelihood of infections, the cervix and the adjacent anterior (front) and posterior (back) recesses in the vagina will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

Some physicians may apply a local anesthesia, such as 5 percent lidocaine gel, into the cervical canal to reduce discomfort.

Your doctor will then use a tenaculum to help stabilize the cervix and keep it steady. The tenaculum is a long-handled, slender, instrument that is attached to the cervix to steady the uterus.

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