Before you insert the IUD
These policies take away a
woman’s right to choose when and
if she wants to use family planning.
Every woman should have the right
to make that choice herself.
As soon as your baby
is born we insert an
IUD in your womb so
you do not become
pregnant again.
Never put pressure on a woman
to use an IUD. Read page 310 to
learn more about IUDs. Every woman must
understand all the risks and benefits
in order to decide if she wants an IUD or
not. Make sure that she does before you
insert one for her.
But Marcelo
and I want
to have a
big family!
Before you insert the IUD
Be sure that the woman does not have an STI
Ask the woman if she has any signs of an STI.
Some signs of STIs are:
• bad-smelling discharge from the vagina.
• pain, itching, or a burning feeling in the vagina.
• pain, itching, or a burning feeling when urinating.
• sores on the vagina or anus.
Remember, many women have STIs but do not have any signs. Always test a
woman for STIs before inserting an IUD. If you cannot test the woman, but she
is sure she wants an IUD, you can treat her for chlamydia and gonorrhea (see
page 324) and put in the IUD. See Chapter 18 to learn more. Do not insert an IUD
for a woman unless you are sure she does not have an STI.
Be sure that the woman is not pregnant
If you insert an IUD when a woman is pregnant, the IUD can cause a miscarriage.
Make sure that a woman is not pregnant before inserting an IUD. You can be sure
that she is not pregnant if:
• she is having her monthly bleeding.
• she has not had sexual intercourse any time since her last monthly bleeding.
• she is using a hormonal family planning method such as pills, injections, or
implants (and wants to use an IUD instead).
391
A Book for Midwives (2010)