Family Planning

Explaining the Insertion ProcedureA woman who has chosen the IUD needs to know what will happen duringinsertion. The following description can help explain the procedure toher. Learning IUD insertion requires training and practice under directsupervision. Therefore, this description is a summary and not detailedinstructions.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.The provider conducts a pelvicexamination to assess eligibility(see Screening Questions forPelvic Examination BeforeIUD Insertion, p. 137). Theprovider first does the bimanualexamination and then insertsa speculum into the vagina toinspect the cervix.The provider cleans the cervixand vagina with appropriateantiseptic.The provider slowly inserts thetenaculum through the speculumand closes the tenaculum justenough to gently hold the cervixand uterus steady.The provider slowly and gentlypasses the uterine sound throughthe cervix to measure the depthand position of the uterus.The provider loads the IUD intothe inserter while both are still inthe unopened sterile package.The provider slowly and gentlyinserts the IUD and removes theinserter.The provider cuts the stringson the IUD, leaving about 3centimeters hanging out of thecervix.After the insertion, the womanrests. She remains on theexamination table until shefeels ready to get dressed.144 Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers