"i had the copper iud inserted today because i wanted a long term contraceptive without hormones as i am breastfeeding. 



i chose a clinic that has an ultrasound to check before and after the insertion.



it was about five minutes for the entire procedure and it was not more painful than a pap smear with very similar sensations.



i did have bleeding afterwards but no cramps so far. the bleeding is nowhere near the amount you would get after a vaginal delivery.



it helps to take two advils an hour before. plus it definitely helped to have had 4 natural vaginal births too! 



please do not let the fear of insertion prevent you from trying it. the alternative of labor or abortion is much worse than a few minutes of discomfort."