Planned Parenthood doesn't want to give me an IUD...

[my-red-red-lips.livejournal.com]

Well, first of all, I just got done going through all the FAQ'a listed under IUD and couldn't find exactly what I was looking for...

I've spent the last 2-3 weeks reading about IUD's and posting questions to many IUD users and reading web pages and ect. ect. ect....so I am not making my IUD decision lightly. I am 23, childless, in a long term monogamous relationship, and unable to take hormonal birth control due to a blood disorder (factor 11) which leaves me 6 times more likley to develop a blood clot than your average person. In short, the pill will kill me. It was actually termed by my doctor as "the most dangerous thing I could possibly be doing with this disorder" So being one to reaserch things, I read and read and read. Asked a ton of questions, made a decision, and called planned parenthood. This is how that went:

them: have you had at least one vaginal delivery?
me: no, however I've been researching copper IUD's and all the information I've seen on the subject says that really shouldn't be a problem.
them: well our doctor will not insert IUD's in women who do not have at least one child
me: i have recently realized that i have a blood disorder that renders me 6 times more likely to develop blood clots than your average person...after researching everything, IUD's are the only form of birth control I feel comfortable with.
them: hold on a minute, I'll ask our doctor about your specific case...
*waiting*
them: I'm sorry, she says she won't insert an IUD because it's harder to insert in women who have not had at least one child
me: can I make an appointment to talk to her about this?
them: you just want to talk about different forms of birth control? Won't you be staying on the pill?
me: well, i really need to be on some thing that won't kill me, so I need to talk to her about this.
them: fine.

So now I have an appointment Wens morning and I am hoping to go in there with a ton of printed information from reputable sources that back me up on this. I was sorta stupid and didn't save any of the info I had looked up and read through previously (although I should have seen this coming by reading some of your experiences). I would love it if you guys could direct me to links that refer to this at all, or if you have any experiences with changing your doctors mind on this subject, that would be awesome to. I'll be online going through this like mad for info so *please*please*please* help me out...

I pretty much have to go through planned parenthood as I am extremely poor and cannot afford to go any where else. I'm in central Washington (Yakima) and may have to resort driving over to Seattle if they are willing to help me while the clinic here is not, but again, the poorness thing really makes me hope I don't have to resort to that...

Any info greatly appreciated! THANKS!

<3 Brooke

(this will probably be cross posted every where)

Comments

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

If you go to Seattle, I highly recommend Aurora Medical Services (it's on Broadway in the Northwest Medical Center complex, across the street from a Silver Cloud Hotel-- I can get you an address if you need it). I'm seventeen, haven't had any children, and the pill was driving me absolutely insane. I had no problem taking it, but every single formulation sent my libido plummetting (I went through this for almost a year and 6 different pill brands).

The doctor said that the IUD is a wonderful form of contraception, and very safe, even in childless women. She said that as long as I'm monogamous, STI-free and I have a uterus big enough to accomodate it, it shouldn't be a problem at all. Sure enough, my uterus was 7cm and she inserted it right then and there. I've had zero problems. My period stopped completely (I got a Mirena), as well. I have no regrets. It was extremely easy to have inserted, aside from some bad cramping which went away in a day or so. I've had it for 4 months, and haven't expelled it yet. Yay for IUDs :)

Re:

[my-red-red-lips.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info-I may end up some where over in Seattle if the Yakima center won't help me. I know just where the one you're talking about is, as I've actually been there before (I used to live in Seattle-first hill)

<3

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[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

You moved from Seattle to Yakima? My condolonces ;)

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[my-red-red-lips.livejournal.com]

hahaha...i actually moved from Yakima, to Eugene, OR, to Seattle, to Corpus Christie, TX, to Houston, TX, back to Yakima...it used to bother me but it's been really good since I've gotten back :)

<3

[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

PS: Try out iud_divas, too :)

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[bitpsych.livejournal.com]

Nevermind, I saw it there already. I'm groggy ;)

[inanna.livejournal.com]

After child #2 i decided an IUD would be for me. And i decided (after talking w/ my midwife and others) that i wanted the mirena (which has encapsulated progesterone - which helps w/ heavy bleeding and cramping but isn't enough to be systemic). The planned parenthood here didn't want to give it to me.

i ended up going to University of Washington Midwives (at UW Med Center) - they were great!

While you may not be the preferred candidate for an IUD, i think you have made some very well informed and rational reasons why this is your best choice.

i will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.... may this go smoothly for you.

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[my-red-red-lips.livejournal.com]

Thank you! You're very sweet...and I may just end up at the UUW Med Center if I can't get the help I need here :)

[inanna.livejournal.com]

After child #2 i decided an IUD would be for me. And i decided (after talking w/ my midwife and others) that i wanted the mirena (which has encapsulated progesterone - which helps w/ heavy bleeding and cramping but isn't enough to be systemic). The planned parenthood here didn't want to give it to me.

i ended up going to University of Washington Midwives (at UW Med Center) - they were great!

While you may not be the preferred candidate for an IUD, i think you have made some very well informed and rational reasons why this is your best choice.

i will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.... may this go smoothly for you.

[dichotomise.livejournal.com]

The folks at the Planned Parenthood in Kent are pretty nice and friendly, you might want to try them too if other places don't work out. Good luck. <:)