IUD in Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms & Risks

What is IUD in pregnancy?

Intrauterine device or IUD in pregnancy is one of the most common and dependable methods of reversible birth control on the market. It is a little T-shaped device with hormones that are constructed of copper or plastic. It is inserted into the uterus through the cervix to prevent fertilisation. When the IUD is no longer effective, a doctor, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant can remove it using one of two strings. It can also be removed if the patient wishes to become pregnant or if something goes wrong.

Because the chance of getting pregnant is so low—less than 1 per cent per year—about 10 per cent of women choose this method. In addition, many women get an IUD put in right after giving birth, so they already have a way to stop having babies when they leave the hospital.

Types of IUDs in pregnancy

There are two kinds: the copper IUD and the hormonal IUD. Both are among the most effective ways to stop pregnancy; depending on the type, they can stay in place for 5 to 10 years. However, IUDs, whether they are made of copper or hormones, do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).

Experts say that IUDs are a good way to prevent pregnancy for young adults and teens because they last for a long time, don't need to be cared for every day, and work very well.

How effective is an IUD at preventing pregnancy?

Both types of IUDs are quite effective at preventing pregnancy. Over a year, fewer than one in every 100 average couples who use an IUD will have an unintended pregnancy.

The copper IUD is instantly effective and can be used for up to ten years. Depending on the brand, hormonal IUDs can last 3 to 6 years. As a result, the IUD is a suitable option for folks who aren't yet ready to have children. An IUD can stay in place for a long time, but it can be removed at any time by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

What causes can lead to IUD failure?

Clinicians aren't always sure what goes wrong with an IUD. Some of the reasons it doesn't work are that the IUD falls out (about 10% of women do this in the first year) or that it wasn't put in right.

Symptoms of IUD in pregnancy

Suppose a woman gets pregnant while using an IUD during pregnancy. For instance, if a woman gets pregnant with Copper IUD symptoms, she may have some of the usual signs of pregnancy, mainly if the embryo has already settled in the uterus.

Some of these signs are:

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• A missed period

• Tender breasts

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• Food cravings

• Changes in mood

When a woman using an IUD gets pregnant, she may also notice that the strings are out of place, missing, or not the same length.

Risks of IUD in pregnancy

Yes, a woman who uses an IUD can get pregnant, but it doesn't happen often.

IUDs work more than 99% of the time. However, fewer than 1 in 100 people with an IUD will get pregnant.

All IUDs, whether they are hormonal, non-hormonal, or made of copper, have the same rate of failure.

Between 2 and 10% of people, the IUD can either partially or completely slip out of the uterus.

The woman could get pregnant if this happens. She might not notice that the IUD is no longer in the right place.

In some cases, pregnancy can happen because the IUD hasn't started to work yet.

A woman may also have problems with her IUD if she has had it in for longer than the manufacturer suggests.

What to expect during your consultation

The doctor will do a urine or blood test to ensure the woman is pregnant like a late-period copper IUD-negative pregnancy test. Human chorionic gonadotropin is something that pregnancy tests look for. This hormone is only made by a pregnant woman's body.

After that, the doctor will look at your pelvis. If the IUD's string is visible, the doctor will take it out. If they can't see the string of the IUD, they will use an ultrasound to find it. Whether you want to keep the pregnancy or end it, IUD during pregnancy should be taken out of the woman.