What to Do When Failed Copper – T Results in Unwanted Pregnancy

Every birth control measure (Contraceptive method) has no doubt its own failure rates which do result in pregnancy. Intra Uterine Devices- IUD,( IUCD- Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device) which is known as ‘ Copper –T’ in layman’s language does also have their own failures.

The desire to have a child is always very strong among couples who are childless. Also, they would like to conceive when they feel they can do so and do adopt the right methods to conceive such as Copper –T. In case this fails then they have to take corrective action.

Presenting features of pregnancy with Copper-T in situ

• A woman will indeed complain of missed periods
• Her pregnancy test will be rather positive
• Sonography will show the presence of a contraceptive device with pregnancy side by side

The fate of pregnancy with IUCD in situ ( IUCD-Intrauterine Contraceptive Device )

If the woman does conceive with IUCD still inside the uterus, the pregnancy in question may also have higher chances of complications such as

Infection (Chorioamnionitis )

The bag of membranes which does surround one’s fetus does become infected. This is indeed a serious medical condition as advanced stages- Sepsis, that may involve infection in the blood. This widespread infection may become life-threatening

Management does involve the- termination of pregnancy as soon as possible along with adequate cover with antibiotics.

Abortion

There are higher chances of abortions whether they are spontaneous or even induced.

Here one needs to understand the woman opting for an IUD as she did not want to become pregnant anymore.

Preterm Birth

Pregnancy with Copper –T in situ has no doubt a higher chance of preterm birth.

Preterm birth has its own set of complications such as the low weight of the neonate, the requirement of NICU- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, failure to thrive, etc.

Ectopic Pregnancy

If a woman does conceive with ‘Copper-T’ in situ, there are indeed higher chances that the site of pregnancy will be rather abnormal.

The normal site of implantation of pregnancy is no doubt inside the uterus.

In an ectopic pregnancy, the site of implantation can be Fallopian tubes (These are tube-like structures that are passages between the uterus and ovary), Ovaries, etc.

This pregnancy is an abnormal location and does not actually grow normally

Management- Early diagnosis by sonography and surgical intervention in order to remove this abnormally located pregnancy is required in most cases.

What can be done once pregnancy is diagnosed with Copper –T inside the uterus?

If the thread is visible, which may be the case in early pregnancy, the treating Gynecologist will indeed gently pull on the thread to attempt removal. Many times it does happen to be successful.

The assistance of Ultrasound may be sought to make the removal procedure safe as well as easy

If the thread is not visible- termination of pregnancy by D&E- Dilatation, and Evacuation may be offered along with the removal of Copper-T at the time of the procedure