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Diva cup thought
I got mine a couple months ago and I haven't felt confident enough to try it! My husband is rarely home and I watch my 2 kids almost all the time. My thought is just that I wanted to be able to sit down and take my time. And that once I get it in, I don't want to completely freak out if I can't get it out immediately, but chances are, having two kids running around screaming and pulling on me does not help the situation!
I was thinking, even though I know you have to fold it to get it in and out, it would be nice if it came with a rubbery 'string' you could cut off, or something you could tie on it, like a tampon string, just so that it is easy to find, and then once I 'break the seal' I could use it to help pull the cup out.
I don't know if I'm being paranoid, but I just picture myself not being able to get a grip on the cup and the kids are climbing on me and husband not coming home that night.. I wonder if it would be a good "security" blanket to have a string though.
Re: Diva cup thought
You are totally overthinking it. If you are worried about making a mess or something... try it when you are not bleeding just to practice insertion, walk around for a bit, then removal. It's so not a big deal once you get the hang of it. GL!
Ditto PP, I think you're overthinking it. I've never, ever had it go up so high I couldn't reach it. I've never even been scared that I wouldn't be able to reach it. It's designed to sit low in your vagina, like at the entrance. It's really easy once you get the hang of it, there's no more of a learning curve than there is with tampons. The instructions that come with it are also great IMHO, I didn't have to ask insertion questions online or anything.
Good luck! You'll love it once you try it. I will never EVER go back, it's a fantastic product.
Thanks ladies. I think maybe the instructions being so thorough about what to do if you can't find the stem or perhaps hearing a story of someone having trouble getting it out, I was too nervous..
That is a great idea, to practice beforehand. I wasn't worried about the mess, I was more worried - TMI - about trying to grab the stem and not being able to grip it (or find it, for that matter). My imagination went a little rampant thinking of some crazy emergency call to my OB or something :P
Nest Bio ~ ~ Baby Food Blog
- You will be able to find it. Even if it manages to work its way aaalll the way up there (which it won't) you'll still be able to find it. I cut the stem off, and i've never had a problem "finding" or removing it.
- If you try it when you are not menstruating, be aware that it might be harder than when you are b/c of "lubrication" and minor physiological changes
- Try it when your H is there and can wrangle the kiddos. It takes a little getting used to, but it's not bad. You will not need medical intervention, but you may need a few minutes.
- If you can't get it out right away, wait a little while and relax. Then try again. Maybe try a different position (standing/sitting/squatting, etc.), or reach further up and squeeze higher. If you can't get it pinching w/your index finger and thumb, try bending your index finger and pinching the ribbed part of the cup with your thumb and the knuckle of your index finger. Sounds weird, but i think it works b/c there is more surface area, so more friction (this is more an issue for me when i've waited too long to empty it and it is messier than usual).
Best sound ever: baby's heartbeat! (Heard @ 10w1d)
Ditto JoeysLady, I cut the stem off my mine so to get it out I "bear down", pinch the bottom of the cup between my thumb and index finger to break the seal, then slowly pull it down. I know that sounds like a lot to do, but once you get the hang of it, it's like picking up anything else with your fingers. Just pinch and pull.
IMHO, the instructions probably discuss it "going up high" in such detail because it's a customer fear, rather than something that acually happens.
Bride - lol - they do but unfortunately not until maybe 10pm... and then my husband is often not home, I have to take a shower and do a million other things. My thought is I've been stressed and exhausted and ready to flop in bed, not wanting to start a new 'project' so to speak
Thanks for all the suggestions and reassurance
I'll try it this time 
Nest Bio ~ ~ Baby Food Blog
I have to disagree with some of the PP based on my experience. For me, the cup sits waaaay far up there, and my pelvic bone gets in the way when I try to get it to sit lower and feels horrible. When it sits up high, (behind my pelvic bone) I don't feel it, forget it's there, but it does wiggle its way up even higher sometimes and can be tough to get out. It took me five cycles to get the hang of it initially. Every single time I go to take it out, there is never a scenario where I could pinch it between my thumb and index. It's too far up (maybe I have short thumbs?) so I have to grip it with my middle finger against the ribbing, curl my finger a bit and attempt to drag it just low enough to be able to then pinch it between my index and thumb. Every so often it's way up there, and I have to squat on the bathroom floor first just to be able to feel it with the tip of my middle finger, and then bear down to get a grip.
Even with all of this, I've been using it for almost three years now. I still find it way better than tampons or pads, but it was incredibly frustrating to figure out what would work for me. From the looks of the posts above, it doesn't seem to be the norm.
Still, I guess what I'd like you to come away with is the possibility that it potentially could be difficult for you, but don't give up! You will figure out what works best for you for insertion and removal.
I second this. It doesn't matter how or where I put it in, it travels really high. I haven't cut the stem at all on mine and do use it to get the thing out, so you shouldn't automatically cut the stem. I had a lot of trouble my first time and panicked, thinking I was going to have to explain to my mom, who was visiting from 3,000 miles away, why I was going to have to leave her sitting at the house for a few hours while I went to the emergency room. I decided to wait a while and try again. After I calmed down, I was able to get it out. It got easier with practice, and doing it in the shower is definitely the best for me, along with bearing down.
After a few months, I really liked it. But don't get discouraged if it isn't as easy for you to learn as a lot of the Green Living girls claim
Even those of us who have trouble at first usually get the hang of it.
I agree it should come with a long, tampon-style stem. Then you could just cut it down as you get better at it and find the right length. My correct length would probably be a bit longer than the one it comes with.