Can you get pregnant with an IUD?

by Cathreine
(Swansea, Wales)

Hi, I have a copper IUD coil fitted and since having it there I have had very heavy periods lasting 4-6 days. Then 2 months ago I was 2-weeks late for my menstration but I didn't think much of it. And I had a normal one but this month - I have been bleeding for 9 days. However it is so light, a bit more than spotting but not much at all - about 1 and half tea spoons a day. Why would this be? And could I be pregnant? Can you have a pregnancy with an IUD in place? And could it be ectopic?

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Can you get pregnant with an IUD?

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Yes I got pregnant with an IUD
by: elvie

Yes, you can, it happened to me.

My coil moved a little bit out of place. I went to the doctor because it felt a little different, but they said it was fine and would still work fine.

However, I got pregnant. My period missed, although I got some spotting, and then in the week after it was due I did pregnancy test and got a faint positive. I went to the doctor and she did a test but failed to get a positive (it turns out her test was less sensitive than the home test I had). By then I was bleeding again so she assumed my period had come.

However 2 weeks later I was still bleeding on and off, and I knew something was wrong. I also had some (but not alot) abdominal pain. ONe night it got really bad so I went to hospital and they diagnosed me with an ectopic pregnancy caused by the coil. I had to have an op to remove baby and fallopian tube.

So yes it can happen, and please be very wary and careful if you suspect that you may be pregnant. Get that coil checked straight away and have a scan if you have any doubt.
Best to ask your doctor
by: Mia

Pregnancy does not happen too often with an IUD but it does sometimes so be sure to talk to your doctor how put the coil in place and ask their opinion.

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