Now that you know how to prepare for the appointment and post-insertion recovery, we’ll cover what you can expect during the implant appointment. The good news is, you can schedule your appointment any time of the month!

During the Appointment

1. Take a pregnancy test. As with any form of birth control, it’s important to make sure you aren’t pregnant first. Be ready to give a urine sample for a pregnancy test.
2. Ask your questions. Do you have questions about the insertion process or what to expect once the implant is in place? Getting answers to your questions before the procedure will help you feel more at ease.
3. Undress from the waist up. Once you’re in the exam room, you’ll undress from the waist up, unless you’re wearing a tank top or loose t-shirt that makes it easy to access the upper arm. You’ll get a sheet or blanket to cover up and maintain privacy during the procedure if needed. 
4. Get into position. You’ll lie down on the exam table with your non-dominant arm either straight out to the side or with your elbow bent at 45 degree angle with your hand pointing towards your head. These positions make it easy to access the upper arm.  
5. Arm exam. Your provider will feel the inside of your upper non-dominant arm to find a groove between your muscles. This is the area where the implant will be placed.
6. Pain management. Your provider will clean the skin around the insertion site with an antiseptic solution. Then you’ll get a shot of a local anesthetic, like lidocaine, in the upper arm to numb the area and reduce discomfort. 
7. Implant placement. The implant will be inserted with an applicator just beneath your skin. You and your provider will feel your arm afterwards to confirm placement.
8. Dressing and Clean-up. Your provider will clean and bandage the insertion site. You’ll have a small bandage over the site and may also have a pressure dressing to lessen bruising. 
9. Take a few deep breaths. Your implant is in place! Take a few slow, deep breaths, and sit up slowly. It’s time to ask your provider any remaining questions. 

You can take off the pressure bandage after 24 hours. But keep the small bandage on and keep the area dry and clean for 3-5 days.

It’s common to have some bruising, pain or light bleeding at the placement site, but if you develop signs or symptoms of infection, such as change in skin color, discharge or fever, call your healthcare provider. 

You may need to use a barrier method (i.e. condoms) for 7 days after placement depending on the timing of your menstrual cycle. Talk to your provider about your individual situation. And remember, the implant does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)!

Spotting or light bleeding is common with implants, and some people experience complete absence of menstruation (known as amenorrhea). These bleeding changes are generally not harmful and may decrease with time. If bleeding changers are bothersome for you, reach out to your healthcare provider. 

An implant can remain in place and prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. It must be replaced at the three-year mark to continue preventing pregnancy, but can be removed anytime if needed. When you’re ready to have it removed/replaced, the process involves another quick appointment with your healthcare provider. If at any time you can’t feel the implant, call your provider right away and use a barrier birth control method, like condoms, until your provider confirms the implant is in place. 

Takeaway

You can make a shared decision with your healthcare provider about whether an implant is the best type of birth control for you. 

An implant is an effective, long-acting contraceptive placed under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. It’s completely normal to feel nervous about the insertion procedure. Knowing exactly what to expect will help ease any insertion-related anxiety!