It’s 2017, which means it’s a new year, a new president, and a new semester. With the recent pandemonium following President Donald Trump announcing his presidential goals, a frenzy has occurred. And, with last weekend’s Women’s March across the world, the panic for women within the healthcare sector is more than present and obviously so. As collegiettes we can barely afford the guac on our chipotle, nevertheless doctor bills.
Before the new age, we thought of permanent birth control as part of “adulting” because condoms, the pull out method, Plan B, and abstinence, were fine. But with a new POTUS, women across the nation have been urging each other to get birth control across all types of social media platforms before it is too late. Whether the new administration changes healthcare or not, you really should consider meeting an OB-GYN to learn about your options before you no longer have them. I, for one, am happy to vouch for our very own Rutgers Health Services, as within the last week I went in for an annual checkup and did some adulting myself. Not only are they thorough, but they are very respectful. Because in the real world, you are more likely to find your next boyfriend within your first 10 tinder swipes than you are at finding a good OB-GYN.
My experience with the Rutgers OB-GYN helped me feel comfortable and well informed on the variety of options, so that when I finally made my decision to opt for the 5-7-year solution with the Mirena IUD, I was confident in my choice. The procedure and set up was relatively easy as well, although between your first appointment and the date of the procedure, you’ll want to skip your midday nap and carve out 2 hours per visit. It starts with making an appointment which, I won’t lie, can be annoying to get. Once set, you’ll go for your check up, talk about all your options and their respective pros and cons, and then you can make an appointment for your procedure.
The actual day of the procedure you go over details, any concerns, clarification and paperwork. Once done you are prompted to change and then the real fun begins. As I anxiously sat waiting for my doctor to return, I began to read Cosmopolitan’s reviews and the words “pinch” and “shock” flooded my mind. The reality was much different, first the speculum, then a measurement of your uterus, and in my case a stretching of my cervix, and finally the IUD application. Throughout this process apart from the uncomfortable feeling, intense period cramps that rose from my uterus to my belly button accompanied.
Post procedure, there are more cramps, bleeding, and a strange feeling. One that I can only describe as Arizona’s phantom limb on “Grey’s Anatomy,” it was that feeling when you first learn to use a tampon and feel it the entire time and fear its falling out, but is so far from the truth. Totaling about 10-15 minutes I would say it was definitely painful and at points you want to surrender but all in all the was worth the 5-7 years of security. And whatever you decide make sure you are well informed, it took me a year to ponder birth control and only 5 days and a new POTUS to commit.