An intrauterine device — more commonly known as an IUD — is one of the most effective methods of birth control.
Less than one out of every 100 women get pregnant in the year after getting an IUD inserted, but like with any form of birth control, it can happen.
FABLife cohost Leah Ashley is one of those “less than one out of a 100.” Though she is married, they weren’t planning on getting pregnant, but that’s exactly what happened earlier this year.
More:Over 100 women got pregnant from faulty birth control pills
“I had [a copper] IUD for four years without incident before I found out I was pregnant, early this March,” Ashley told Glamour. “… I never thought I would be one of the very few women that this happens to. But even once I missed my period, I figured it had to do with stress. It wasn’t until I started feeling extra tired and my period was about two weeks late that I decided to take a pregnancy test. Even then, I assumed it would come back negative!”
With the pregnancy came worries that the baby wouldn’t grow correctly because of the IUD — and then there was the very real chance of miscarriage.
More: North Carolina doctor creates treatment to reverse abortions
“For about a month, we didn’t know if the baby was forming in the correct place and there was a major risk of the baby forming in my fallopian tubes, which would have resulted in surgery,” she said. Luckily, everything was OK and Ashley’s now in the final weeks of her pregnancy.
“One concern still remains: preterm delivery. I am 32 weeks pregnant now, and I am hoping that he decides to stay put until 40 weeks,” she said. Should her experience put you off IUDs? No. It’s the birth control method that most female doctors go for themselves. However, it’s important to do your research before you make any big decisions regarding your reproductive health.
More: There’s a “UTI season,” so you had better stock up on cranberry juice now
“I did a lot of research about other women who had experienced an IUD pregnancy and I had many long conversations with my doctor about the potential risks that my baby and I might face along the way,” Ashley said. “… the ‘one day at a time’ motto has really kept me from becoming too overwhelmed and freaked out. If you can’t take it one day at a time, take it minute by minute… I’ve had those days as well.”
Leave a Comment