So I have a Paragard IUD, and my OB kept the strings long so I could check them. I had my first postpartum period starting on July 28, and I felt them then.
Fast forward: I've been spotting and mildly crampy the last few days. I figured I was ovulating. I just checked, though, and I can't feel the strings to my IUD anymore!!!!! ***cue freakout*** I can feel my cervix, but there is no IUD to feel anymore.
What do I do??? I'm super worried that it has migrated. Do I go to the ER?!
grapefruit / 4455 posts
I've never had one so I don't really know but I'd say at least call before the ER. So sorry this is happening, not fun!
eggplant / 11408 posts
@2littlepumpkins: Thanks. I dknt know what to do, because I am actually in he process of switching OBs. I've been blown off one too many times by the practice I was seeing to feel confident in anything they tell me. But I haven't seen my new provider yet. I don't know what to do 
eggplant / 11824 posts
Try not to freak! I've had 2 iuds and have never felt the strings either time. It's pretty common for the strings to curl around your cervix, and then you can't really feel them at all. Migration is so rare!
eggplant / 11408 posts
@yoursilverlining: do you think if I can feel my cervix that I should be able to feel the strings? Cause I can definitely feel my cervix...
persimmon / 1270 posts
I worried about my IUD a lot because it made me super crampy. I could only feel the strings sometimes.
The only time my midwife was worried was when I called her crying because the cramping was so bad. I went in for a ultra sound in the am and everything was fine. My body just want a big fan of the IUD. The cramping got better after a few months.
persimmon / 1270 posts
I couldn't always feel the strings. My cramping had to get really bad before my doc was worried.
pear / 1599 posts
I have the paragard too and they kept the strings super long. Sometimes they tend to curl up around my cervix (around the outside of it) and are really hard to feel. But if you definitely cant feel them I would call the Dr tomorrow.
eggplant / 11824 posts
@LovelyPlum: I don't think so? My OB told me I didn't need to check my stings so I never do, but I did when I first got the first one and I could definitely feel my cervix but not the strings.
papaya / 10343 posts
First, breeaaaathhhh 
I think you're fine. My midwife told me that the strings often curl up and you can't really feel them anymore. I can't feel my strings at all (I have mirena). Also cramping/spotting randomly happens ALLLLLL the time for me still at like 9 mo post getting my mirena in, and that is supposed to be better with that than paraguard.
Also, I asked my midwife to check placement of my IUD at my annual because I'd had some weird poke-y feelings a few weeks before and I was being paranoid. She said I would KNOW if it migrated because there would be significant pain and bleeding, not mild spotting and cramping. (She did check to make me feel better and it was fine).
So I mean... obviously if you're legit worried head to the ER and get it checked. But personally I think you're just fine (with all my no medical degrees and all lol)
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
The strings on mine curled up and I couldn't feel them, even when I felt my cervix. But they were still there, and my IUD was still in place!
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
My doc told me to never try and feel my strings. I wouldn't worry about it.
pineapple / 12566 posts
@Smurfette: same with me. My doc told me I didn't need to check for the strings and shouldn't go hunting for them. I know a lot of people are instructed to check, and I asked specifically about it, but he said it was unnecessary. I've had the copper iud for about 18 months and the first 6 months I had lots of random spotting and wonky periods.
persimmon / 1331 posts
I would just make an appointment with your OB. I had mine perforate my uterus and it was in my abdomen, but my OB said it wasn't an emergency to get it out because I wasn't having extreme pain or anything (I had surgery 1.5 weeks later from initially finding it). And that's even if it's moved. Most of the time, the strings just curl up so you can't reach them!
ETA link from my post about this: http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/another-hellobee-r-with-an-iud-mishap#post-2184898
grapefruit / 4355 posts
My OB purposefully curled the strings up around the outside of my cervix so I can't feel them. She said there was no need to ever check. So I bet yours just curled up on their own and that you don't have anything to worry about!
eggplant / 11408 posts
@maddyz: @2littlepumpkins: @yoursilverlining: @pinkb: @Mae: @lovehoneybee: @Smurfette: @lamariniere: @Emsmems: @Mrs.KMM:
Thanks, all for weighing in. I did end up coming to the ER, because I couldn't shake that feeling in my gut that something wasn't right. I'm here now, just had a pelvic, and...it's not in the right place. He said that it looks like it is in sideways, and it hurt quite a bit when he did the exam. The doc said he can see it, but it doesn't look right. So we're waiting on an OB from L&D to come down and take a look/figure out what we do from here.
I'll keep you updated. Thanks for keeping me calm
eggplant / 11408 posts
@Emsmems: thanks for chiming in! I'm sorry this happened to you. But it helps to read others' stories.
persimmon / 1331 posts
@LovelyPlum: uh oh! I hope it doesn't end up being a big deal! Next step is probably an ultrasound (at least it was for me!). I didn't want to scare you by posting my worst-case scenario but it's important to know it CAN and does happen. Better to get it checked out and it be fine than assume it's ok and then have it cause problems!
eggplant / 11408 posts
@Emsmems: no, I appreciate your honesty. I knew it could happen, and something felt off, something I couldn't put my finger on. I hope they can get it without surgery, and if not, that we can get it over with!
cherry / 204 posts
@LovelyPlum: I'm so sorry that you're going through this. Good thing you listened to your gut, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that they remove or adjust it easily and quickly. Hang in there!
eggplant / 11408 posts
@Emsmems: @akcoffeebean: they found it, and it's out! Phew. They said my cervix looked irritated, but the OB resident and urologist who came were able to get it out. Thank goodness. I'm super sore now but relieved that it is over.
Thanks for keeping me company tonight
eggplant / 11408 posts
@akcoffeebean: thank you 
I was there about 8 hours, but so glad that it is dealt with, and as easily as could be expected.
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