IUD Pregnancies

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Reading the thread about withdrawal being safe (which I know it is not...have known too many people who have gotten pregnant using this method) got me to thinking about the people who say they have gotten pregnant with an IUD. I currently have the Paraguard (copper) IUD and I have heard of many people getting pregnant with this. I was told it is 99.4% effective (as effective as a tubal). I know that if it get embedded or starts to expel that a pregnancy can occur but I am talking about people who say the baby went ahead and implanted with the IUD sitting there in proper place. Have you guys seen this alot? It kind of freaks me out really. I guess if I get pregnant with an IUD sitting safely in place it is meant to be but I really have heard of this happening alot (or it seems like alot). I am talking about the Copper IUD specifically. I know it can happen with Mirena also.

Michelle

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Considering that I had two pregnancies with an IUD in place, both resulting in miscarriages exactly one year apart, I don't place high faith in the IUD.

It's just not myself, but since the makers of both IUD's purportedly claim such high success rates, I've seen so many people who've used this contraceptive and it failed.

After this baby is born, I'm not going to use the IUD again. FYI: the IUD was removed before this pregnancy.

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I am very sorry for your losses. I can't even imagine what a shock it was to find out you were pregnant with an IUD and then have to deal with a miscarriage.Which IUD did you have if you don't mind me asking? Did they remove it when you found out you were pregnant? I have read they will remove it and sometimes it will result in miscarriage and other times the pregnancy can continue on and the baby will be born healthy. Also from what I understand they prefer to remove it because the risks are greater if it is left in. My doctor said she felt it was a very reliable bc and that she had never seen anyone get pregnant using it. Again I am sorry for your losses.

Michelle

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I've taken care of two women who got pregnant with IUD's and gave birth to healthy babies. It was a bit scary for them though.

steph

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

I am the proud owner of a paragaurd myself for a few years now and have had perfect results with it. My mother also used IUD's in the 70's when all the scare was going around about them but never had a problem and was able to get pregnant with me when she decided it was time, had it removed and never had a period, and then I came! What I have been told is that if you do get pregnant with a IUD in place it must be removed. There is a chance of miscarriage if its removed but I have been told that the risk is higher if it is left in (but Im sure this opinion changes with what NP you talk to). So for me I know that if that random 0.6% chance happens to me I will most likely not be able to carry the pregnancy to term. There is a lot of bad talk about IUD's but from my personal experience I have loved mine and so has my mother. 10 years without worring about getting pregnant, working great for me!

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Ann,

Just curious...why would you not be able to carry to term? I know that there is like a 50% chance of miscarriage when it is removed but that means you have a 50% chance of carrying the baby too. Maybe that stat is wrong but I have read that somewhere (can't recall the source at this time). There may be something I may not know is why I am asking. It is good to hear that you have been happy with your IUD though! I guess all the stories I have heard have been where they got pregnant and carried the baby to term. I know that it isn't common...it just seems like I have heard about unexpected IUD pregnancies lately. That may be because I am paying more attention to it though since I just got my IUD about a month and a half ago.

Michelle

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I personally do not agree with IUD's, and I cannot imagine someone getting one. IUD's allow for the conceptual process to begin, it just doesn't allow it to be finished...alot of people don't think of it that way.

So it's not a shock to me, that alot of people "get pregnant" with an IUD. They are probably "getting pregnant" more than they realize.

I totally agree with birth control...just not this particular method.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

That's true. If conception happens, the blastocyte will continue to develop and float down the fallopian tube. The IUD will prevent the successful implantation of the blast. The egg will have been fertilized for a week-making you 3 weeks pregnant when the miscarriage happens.

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Actually from what I have read and what my doctor says it is not exactly known how they work. There are many possibilities. With the copper IUD there are many theories.....the copper interferes with the sperms mobility, the white blood cells that build up thickens the cervical mucus or it could prevent implantation if the sperms do get through by creating an inflammatory response in the uterus. My doctor said that they just don't know for sure how it works. I can understand why some people may be hesitant about this method. I just felt it was a very good option for me.

Michelle

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I personally do not agree with IUD's, and I cannot imagine someone getting one. IUD's allow for the conceptual process to begin, it just doesn't allow it to be finished...alot of people don't think of it that way.

So it's not a shock to me, that alot of people "get pregnant" with an IUD. They are probably "getting pregnant" more than they realize.

I totally agree with birth control...just not this particular method.

That is why I never used it either.

Actually, speaking of that other thread about withdrawal (a bad birth control method btw) I used Natural Family Planning way back in the 1970's . . . late 1970's;) It worked very well for me but you have to be dedicated to paying attention.

I didn't like bcp's either . . . .didn't like the idea of putting "chemicals" in my body.

I have 4 children - only one was NOT a surprise. ;):balloons:

I think it depends on where the IUD is implanted whether it is removed or not when you get preggers.

As I mentioned, I've had two women deliver . . .and after the placenta came out the doc had to go in and get the IUD.

steph

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Specializes in Cardiac.

But, conception still happens-a lot.

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I have had quite a stressful situation with birth control which led me to choose the IUD. It probably wouldn't have been my first choice actually but I feel at peace that it was the best choice for me at this time. I guess if the IUD was implanted they really could not remove it until after the baby was born. I am sure that had to be quite stressful for the mothers.

Michelle

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