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woman in labor receiving pain relief

Pain Relief During Procedures Like IUD Insertions

Freedom and Options

Here at Geneva Woods, we know that procedures such as IUD insertions and endometrial biopsies can be painful, so we offer a variety of paint relief options.

Medications

We can provide you with a sedative such as Ativan before your procedure, but you will need a trusted family member or friend to drive you home.

Nitrous Oxide

We have the capacity to provide nitrous oxide in a 50/50 mixture with oxygen for pain relief. Nitrous is self-administered by the laboring woman, so that she is always in control of how much and how frequently she is using it. It has been used in many countries in Europe for over 50 years, and has been gaining in popularity in birth centers across the country.

Numbing

The injection of lidocaine for a paracervical block is reported to be nearly as painful as the IUD insertion itself, so we opt instead of topical numbing of the cervix with lidocaine/prilocaine cream

Dilating the Cervix

We recommend scheduling your insertion for the heaviest day of your menstrual cycle, when your cervix is naturally more open. We can also provide you with Misoprostol to further soften and open your cervix hours before your procedure.

Expert Technique

There are many technique choices a provider can make to lessen the pain of an IUD insertion, from the choice of speculum to the how and if the tenaculum is used. Our Nurse Practitioners have been inserting IUDs in nulliparous women and teens (meaning those who have never given birth) for decades, and are very experienced at this procedure.

Woman in labor with washcloth on forehead
Geneva Woods Birth Center in Anchorage logos

Geneva Woods Midwifery, and Women’s Wellness at The Nest provide compassionate, holistic and evidence-based care for women, girls, people and babies, in the areas of postpartum care, lactation, pelvic physical therapy, nutrition, mental health, perimenopause/menopause, sexual health, nutrition, and general women's health.

Hours

Monday – Thursday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

© 2024 Geneva Woods Birth Center. All Rights Reserved.

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