An Iud Pregnancy? Is It Even Possible?
It isn’t common to become pregnant when you have an IUD, but it is possible. Read on to find out the symptoms and risks associated with an IUD pregnancy.
An IUD (intrauterine device), is a very popular form of birth control. They’re extremely effective and it’s very rare to get pregnant while using it.
“The IUD has a 99.7 percent efficacy rate,” says Lanalee Araba Sam, M.D., an ob-gyn in Ft. Lauderdale. “Very, very few women with one will become pregnant. But I always tell my patients that someone on this planet is that one-in-a-million exception. There are instances where someone becomes pregnant with an IUD in place.”
Two types of IUD
Hormonal and Copper
- Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla, are IUDs that release a small dose of progesterone to prevent pregnancy. 25 percent of women using Mirena stop having periods altogether.
- ParaGard is a hormone-free IUD, so you should still be getting your period every month.
IUD pregnancy symptoms
The symptoms of a pregnancy with an IUD are the same as any normal pregnancy: nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s best to check with your doctor right away for a pregnancy test.
It’s very important to catch a pregnancy like this early on. A store-bought test may not indicate a pregnancy as early as blood work done by your doctor.
IUD pregnancy risks
There’s a 50 percent higher chance of a miscarriage if an IUD is left in place, so it is recommended that it be removed.
With that said, even if the IUD is removed, you’re 25 percent more likely to miscarry. Your doctor will want to monitor this high-risk pregnancy very closely.
There is a higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus.
Ectopic pregnancies can cause severe damage to a woman’s reproductive system and need to be treated immediately.
To see if your pregnancy is progressing normally, your doctor will want to test your blood for the pregnancy hormone hCG, and then again 48 hours later to see if the hormone levels a rising steadily.
Conceiving after an IUD
Even though getting pregnant with an IUD is rare, conceiving after an IUD has been removed is not. Great news for those who are trying to conceive. Your doctor can remove the IUD very simply in the office.
It is recommended to wait until you’ve had one period after having an IUD removed, to give your cycle time to get back to normal.
Did you know you an IUD pregnancy was possible? Let us know in the comments below.
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