Question re: IUD + possible pregnancy (x-posted)

[lilgreen]

I would love to get pregnant again now, but we've decided to wait. So, I had an IUD (non-hormonal) inserted a few months after ds2 was born (2 years ago). At my last pap in July, my dr said she couldn't see the string. I went to her last week after posting here about it having potentially fallen out and asked her about this and she said that if she didn't see the string it just means the string is tucked up and it's nothing to worry about.

So, normally h pulls out when we dtd, but last week he didn't and it was right when I was ovulating. Then last night I noticed i had spotted (I impantation spotted with each of my other pregnancies). I don't have any other symptoms, though... my breasts aren't particularly sore.

What should I do? Should I wait to see if I really am? Or should I trek over to my drs? If I do the latter, what can she do? What should I be concerned about if I am pg? I don't konw if the IUD fell out or if it's still in there. My dr seemed convinced it was still in there.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[mclisa]

I would wait another week or so and once you are late, take a pregnancy test.

If you aren't pg, there are ways to check to see if the IUD is still there. An x'ray is the easiest as it says that it is still in your body, but an u/s confirms that it is in your uterus.

[pbjmama]

I think test and call the doc because I'm not sure how an IUD would remain in or how it would come out if you are pregnant. So the sooner you would know if you are preganant and what the deal is with the IUD, the better, IMO.

[Jane]

If you're preggers, they like to pull it out as soon as possible. That's easier if there's a string, still. If no string, they use something called an IUD hook to grab the little ring at the bottom. It's not tramatic to you, but it is more invasive than just pulling the string.

I would suggest (finances depending) on getting in right away to see someone. They can order a blood hcg level to see if you're pregnant - that will tell you sooner than a urine test. At the same time, they can order an ultrasound to see if the IUD has remained in place. If it's there, it's just as effective as if it had a string.

How many days between the sex and the spotting - was it old or new blood? Some times semen makes women bleed a little the day after. If you always do pull-out, maybe that's it and you just aren't familiar with it. If it was 7 days apart, though, that theory falls apart.