I got Pregnant with my IUD!!!!

OK, first off, I would normally never "review" an IUD, but the experieinces I've had with having one in? That needs to be shared.

It was four years a go and I was in a new relationship. Birth Control pills are not a good choice for me as they contain hormones and to be honest, make me an angry lady, kind of like having PMS all month long-every month. Regardless, my Doctor and I agreed that an IUD would be best.

An IUD is a small, t-shaped device that is inserted into your uterus by your doctor. It is made out of flexible plastic and contains either copper or hormones. Depending on the type you use, your IUD can provide you with continuous protection from pregnancy anywhere from five to 12 years. Merana is good for five years and contains hormones. Paraguard is good for twelve years using copper.

My doctor gave me a pregnancy test and told me when I begin to bleed to come back and we would place the IUD. I came back at the start of my menstrual cycle and she placed it. I have to admit, it was the most painful experience. She told me it would just "pinch"- oh no, no pinch. Cramps- pain-ouch! When it was over I felt that it was worth it because I didn't have to worry about getting pregnant for 12 years. Whew- what a relief.

Two months later I felt "symptoms" such as nausea in the morning. I haven't had my period since the day it was implanted and this can be quite normal with an IUD. (Some people never have or have much lighter periods) so I didn't think much of it. About a week later I questioned myself, "could I be pregnant?" I bought an at-home test and sure enough it was positive. WOW. This was news- considering I have an IUD in and am 37 years old to boot. Doctor confirmed my news.

An ultrasound was ordered and an attempt to remove the IUD was scheduled. The T of the IUD was puncturing the sac surrounding the baby. Surely, this baby would not surive. The office attempt to remove the IUD was unsuccessful. Surgery was scheduled and I was told to prepare myself for the loss and a D and C would surely follow. (The D stands for dilation, which means enlarging. Curettage (the C) means scraping. Together, this procedure involves expanding or enlarging the entrance of a woman's uterus so that a thin, sharp instrument can scrape or suction away the lining of the uterus). When I awoke the doctor told me she got the IUD, and to my surprise the baby is still living. At that moment I felt a love for that child like no other. It is a fighter, it needs to be here. Fight baby-fight.

My pregnancy was long and hard. I had Hypertension, Hyperemesis and felt awful ALL THE TIME! I lost 26 lbs and was fed nutrients through an IV due to not being able to keep anything down. My OB decided at 38 weeks that enough was enough and we decided to induce. The labor was so hard. I was induced at 6:00am and was still only dialated to 3 at 5:00. The nurse forced my water to break as something was holding up the dilation. Just then my babies heartrate dropped and my blood pressure soared. Emergency c-section was the only option to save us. At 5:38 pm my daughter was born. 6 lbs 4 oz and gorgeous. She is my fighter and my miracle. Amanda Grace is her name, she is my hero.

All in all, if you are thinking of having an IUD placed, make the doctor give you a pregnancy test the day of! It is thought that I was already pregnant with Amanda when it was placed. That's why it was so painful. The blood I thought was my period was actually break through blood which is common when pregnant.

IUDs are great if you have hormone problems, a hard time remembering to take the pill or just dont want to be bothered with any other form. Believe it or not, I have an IUD in again. The placement was pain free and I have not had any problems since. And I know I am protected.