[Ilovelife]

how do you take it out without stretching yourself out like a rubberband?

I've been using the Keeper for many months now & am quite happy with how it works, have no problems inserting it. But removal is uncomfortable. I fold it in half as much as I can when taking it out, but the top lip always puts pressure against my *delicate* tissues LOL) and sometimes even causes tearing. Please help!!

 

[care_a_boo]

I use a Diva, which is the same shape and size, I believe, as the Keeper, so hopefully what works on mine will work for you.

I usually pinch mine just a little to break suction and don't try to fold it at all. I tilt it, keeping the opening up, so that one edge comes out before the other. This kind of pushes the edge into an oval that slides out pretty easily.

The other thing I'd recommend is to play around with different insertion folds and see if you can not only do them on the way in but also on the way out. My Diva came with instructions to fold the cupin sort of a C shape for insertion. I learned from other cup users on the internet two more folds. The one I use is the 7 fold. Flatten the cup like you do for the c-fold, but instead of folding it edges together the second time, you take one corner down so that the edges don't line up. The edges form a 7 when you look at them from the front (not the top view, which is where you see the C of the C fold). I wish I could post the pictures here, but the one site where I know there are pics isn't responding right now. The other one I know is the punch down. Put one finger on the edge of the cup and push down so that that bit of the edge tucks inside the cup. This is I think the least intrusive of entries, but it also takes a little longer to coax it open once it's inside, and I don't really need it quite so small, so I use the 7 as the best compromise for me.

Now, if you use any of these on the way out (I'd think you could do the punch down, if you just reach up fairly high to get at the edge then hook your finger), keep in mind that you probably won't want to let your cup get too full, as the change in shape might press fluids out of the cup.

If you can't figure it out, bump the thread again in a day or two and it'll remind me to get the link to the pics for you. I can't imagine the site will be down much longer than a day at most.

 

[AngelBee]

I am sorry it is uncomfortable coming out. I have never used one.....so no advice

 

[orangefoot]

I am not particularly slack after bing stitched three times now eek! but I don't feel uncomfortable removing it anymore. I think in the beginning i sort of pulled it out still round and the lip of the cup sort of caught in an odd place iykwim.

I think its better now because when I release the seal I pinch harder with my thumb than my finger and that sort of pushes the cup back into a C then I think I pull the thumb side out first and twist it a bit so the other side slides out.

At least I think that's what I do AF was 2 weeks ago so I've forgotten already! I would definitley try squeezing it differently as the pp says then twisting instead of pulling.

 

[rumi]

today is my first day using the cup. i also had a bit of struggle to get it out but i noticed it went back in much easier and right now i can't even feel it whereas the first 4 hours i was using it i could ocassionally feel a pinch or a tickle.

i am wondering if even though i am over 30 and have had vaginal birth, i should have gotten the smaller size? could i just be small?

 

[care_a_boo]

Here's the punch down method: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/...27&postcount=9

I'll come back and edit if I find the 7 fold, but I think the punch down would be easier to acheive internally for removal anyway.

 

[Alkenny]

Rumi, the smaller size is only 1/4 inch smaller in diameter from what I've read, so I don't think that it would make a big difference.

I love the way mine works, don't have a problem getting it in, but it seems like it gets "sucked up" in there and I have a heck of a time getting it out.

Since I've never had a vaginal birth, I'm discovering some never used muscles, I swear, and have been finding some interesting positions (squating down, standing up...you name it, I've tried it).

 

[Ilovelife]

Thank you all for the ideas & the hugs

. I will try to fold it differently when taking it out. I tried to fold it in half & slide one end out before the other, but that was almost worse, with all my awkward maneuvering! Plus, as care a boo pointed out, the cup *emptied* all over my hand--no biggie, but a bit more than I'd like to deal with every time. That 7 fold sounds interesting...I think I understand what you mean from your description. I have been using that punch-down fold lately, which works well for me on the way in...I'll see if I can figure out a way to reverse it on the way out.

Alkenny--mine sometimes gets "sucked up" as well. I've found sitting (like on the toilet) or squatting while bearing down brings it back down to a position that is easier to reach.

 

[ladybugs984]

i'm glad i'm not the only one having that problem. I use the "C" fold like in the instruction booklette but i take out the back side first and it seems to be better that way (although i'm sure its easier to spill, i have only used it on light days)

HTH and thanks for the info, i like that punch down fold...