Although getting pregnant with an IUD is rare, as with most types of contraception, it is possible. If your obstetrician has inserted an IUD into your cervix and you believe you are pregnant, you should notify him as soon as possible. He will usually run tests to confirm the pregnancy before deciding whether to remove the IUD. Although a healthy pregnancy is possible, women who get pregnant with an IUD are often at high risk of having complications during the pregnancy.
Some women who get pregnant with an IUD may believe they can remove the device themselves. Health experts agree this should never be done, since this can cause dangerous health complications. An appointment should be made with your gynecologist as soon as possible.
One of the first things your gynecologist will do is confirm the pregnancy. This can be done with a urine or blood test, or a physical examination of the reproductive organs. He will also run tests to ensure that the embryo has not implanted outside the uterus, since women who conceive while an IUD is inserted are more prone to ectopic pregnancies. If you are pregnant and it is not an ectopic pregnancy, he will then usually make a decision about removing an IUD.
Many doctors who treat women who have an IUD will choose to remove the device in the event of a pregnancy. This is usually done by pulling the strings that are attached to it. If these strings can not be located, he may perform an ultrasound to find them. Removal of an IUD is best if it is done in the earlier stages of pregnancy. Removing the device will usually greatly reduce the risk of complications in the pregnancy, but there is still an increased risk of complications.
The risk of miscarriage and pre-term labor greatly increase if an IUD is left in place during a pregnancy. In some cases, however, a doctor may choose to leave the IUD in place. For example, if a woman is a few months into the pregnancy, the doctor may choose to leave the IUD in place. Also, most doctors will choose to leave an IUD in place if it is embedded into the placenta, since removing it could cause a miscarriage.
If you get pregnant with an IUD and you choose to continue with the pregnancy, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. First, since these types of pregnancies are often considered to be high risk, you should take proper care of yourself. Quit smoking and drinking, eat a healthy diet, and get enough rest. Also, be sure to go to any doctor's appointments to ensure that there are no complications with the pregnancy.