Copper IUD pregnancy? and false negative

[Ummy]

Hi all,

I really need some advice here. My period is 3 days late, it usually comes every 17 days but today is day 19 and no sign of period. I have had the usual backaches and cramping began last week with a little spotting but then it stopped. My breasts feel tender too. I took a cheap 1 dollar pregnancy test and it showed negative.

Do you think I am pregnant? I have had the Paraguard IUD for almost a year. I would hate to think I am pregnant and the consequences of that.

Is it true that you might have a ecopotic pregnancy with IUD and it usually shows negative on pregnancy tests?

I hope I am just having a late menses b/c of stress and worrying. Can't have another baby right now.

Thanks

[MeepyCat]

I'd say that most likely you're just having a weird cycle - they happen sometimes. If you still don't have your period in a few days, I would say retest, and if you continue to worry, this is totally worth a call to and a visit with your doctor.

[Ummy]

I hope so, because my period is 3 days late and I only did one test which showed negative. I am having increased saliva which they say is a symptom of pregnancy but don't know if that is true.

My cervic is low and firm and i can feel the strings...does this mean my AF is coming soon or what could it mean. I also saw some clearish discharge a few days ago but for the past 2 days it has been nothing but dry.

Has anyone experienced being preggo with a IUD? What were your options, are most IUD pregnancies ectopic pregnancies, if so what usually happens and does it give a negative reading on urine tests?>

[Katie T]

I have never had a pregnancy with a IUD, but I have the paragard and I have noticed that over time after the first yr my cycle has changed. It used to be every month and very heavy now it is every 5 wks and very light, sometimes only spotting. I did go into the OB to make sure everything was fine and it is.

I do notice some times my CM is dry before a period and sometimes it is still like the ovulation CM still when my period comes.

I don't know anything about a etopic not showing on a test as I have never been through that, but I say it wouldn't hurt to get peace of mind with your dr. I'm sure everything is fine.

[echospiritwarrior]

I did get pregnant with the copper IUD and I didn't even realize it until I was miscarrying. If you are concerned I would get it checked out. I did get + pregnancy tests but I highly doubt mine was ever ectopic.

[Ummy]

No sign of AF yet, but today i noticed a clear pinkish fluid that came...and then after a few hours I had nothing but dryness. I didn't know after the first year of having an IUD, you can go on for weeks without menses. I am relieved to know that. Perhaps, I am not preggo, just my AF is going through those changes.

Also, I did show - on my pregnancy test. I will go on Monday to make sure everything is okay. If the strings are a little longer than usual when you are getting AF is that normal?

Also, I have increased saliva which makes me worry more about being preggo and that is one of the symptoms of being pregnant.

I want to take another pregnancy test and see if everyhing is okay but i was a little relieved when I noticed a pinkish light fluid today. I just hope that my body is going through another change and not a pregnancy change.

[mLeroux]

Any updates?

Hi Ummy,

I was doing a search for pregnancy with IUD on the boards and your post came up. I too have a copper T and have had it for 6 years with no problems, thank God. I have a 25 day cycle usually and have breast tenderness and bloat like clockwork before my period. This month nothing. Last month I got it on the 5th which made me think I would get in on the 3rd or so. I had a bit of cramps and then nothing till now. I have had some days of being really tired but its not lasting like when your pregnant. ( I've had 4 kids so I can recall those early days and its not like that at all) Anyhow give us an update. I may go and get a PG test today and see what comes up. Oh yeah I almost forgot to mention I started a new exercise routine last month which I have read can cause your menses to act up (vigorous exercise) I was thinking that may be it.

M

[RedOakMomma]

I got pregnant on the copper IUD. I also had some pink discharge and assumed my period would start...but no. Pregnant. With twins. I had the IUD removed at 6 or 7 weeks gestation (can't remember), and everything was fine. (FWIW, the IUD was two years old and had just been checked by my OB two weeks prior to conception.)

I would always say, if you find yourself pregnant and with an IUD, get an ultrasound to check for an ectopic pregnancy...and monitor yourself for the signs of ectopic VERY closely.

[Ummy]

update no preggo :)

Hi All,

I did end up getting my AF last month, 4 days late but it finally arrived. I think stress and lack of sleep caused my AF to really mess up. I find it hard for people to really get pregnant if they have an IUD unless their IUD has shifted, because even if the egg gets fertilized, implantation is highly impossible. So those of you who did get pregnant with an IUD, what were the causes? Was the IUD fixed and in place? You never know with IUDS or any form of BC, nothing is 100 % effective.

Thanks for your responses

[Swandira]

I got pregnant with a Paragard in and had it removed at about six weeks along, the same day I realized I was pregnant. The baby was born just fine. Apparently the IUD had displaced a little, but not enough for me to notice, just enough so that he could implant really well. I guess it was meant to be! I've read that even with a displaced IUD you don't usually get an embryo to implant in the first place -- the copper usually will weaken sperm and they don't get to the egg.

I know ectopic pregnancy is a greater risk with IUDs, but it didn't happen to me, fortunately. Good luck! Glad you dodged the bullet this month.

Nealy
mama to T (7), L (4), and O (17 months)