Okay, right after Maddie was born, I got an IUD put in. That was almost a year ago. I haven't really had a problem with it, and because Alex and I are married, and I know he's only with me, we are not using any other form of birth control.
So the IUD is pretty effective, but two months ago, I actually passed two embryos - I didn't know I was pregnant until that point. I didn't know if I should go to the doctor or not but we have NO money and I didn't want my mil paying for it, so I decided to wait it out. I bled heavily for about 8 days, then spotted a couple. No fever, no pain, etc, so I assumed everything was good.
But I feel really ODD. Does getting pregnant once increase your chances of getting pregnant again? I feel... pregnant. Heavy boobs, lots of vaginal discharge, nausea, etc. But we've had sooo many false alarms, I hate to ask Alex to get me a test. Those things are expensive. I would have to ask and ask and ask, and I know he would give me a lot of shit about it if it were false - the boy who cried wolf, you know?
BLAH. And I don't know how much of it is in my head. I've been spotting (for some reason, the IUD makes me spot all the time), but I know you can be pregnant, and still think you're getting your period.
Sooooo.... suggestions? Anyone know someone that got pregnant on the IUD?
I don't know much about IUDs (sorry!), but do you have a free clinic or somewhere like Planned Parenthood in your area that does sliding-scale payments? They might be able to hook you up with a test.
Here's a bit of info about the IUD that I found--it looks like some of the side effects of the IUD mimic pregnancy signs (tender breasts, mood changes, etc). Hope that helps!
http://pregnancyorg.healthology.com/pregnancyorg/15412.htm
Hi. I am sorry you are going through this. There has to be a free clinic around you, or a health department. They are MOST of the time a sliding scale. How about planned parenthood? What about Medicaid? Or state funded medical insurance?
I know you don't want to waste any money on a test if you aren't pregnant, but then what if you ARE pregnant? (That's how I look at it atleast)
Good Luck!
I'd take a pregnancy test. I've heard from several sources that it is a pretty common occurance to get pregnant on an IUD (even though statistics say otherwise).
IUDs don't prevent conception as such but prevent the possible conceptus implanting into the uterine wall. I don't know too much about the hormonal ones though.
The failure rate given in my text is 0.3 to 4 out of a hundred women using the method for a year.
Maybe you are sensitive to the possible conception occuring, doesn't necessarily mean a pregnancy will occur?
When in doubt, do test. But I gotta say, I don't like Alex's attitude. You have a right to test as its your body, if it turns out negative well then fine, doesn't mean you were foolish for wondering. No reason for him or anyone to give you shit. Nor should you have to ask him to be able to test.
Aren't there dollar test or something in the US? I heard other GMs mentioning them.
Okay more stuff from my one of texts.
IUDs prevent pregnancy by 3 ways
*reducing amount of sperm entering the uterine cavity
*alter the contactibility of uterine tubes thus reducing the chance of a fertilised ovum reaching the uterine cavity (however this increases the risks of ectoptic pregnancy)
*preventing implantation of fertilised ovum
Side effects
increase in period length usually by 2-3 days of earlier bleeding
increase in risk of pelvic infection leading to higher rates of miscarriage (if preg occurs), infertility.
Actually taking into account the increased risk of ectopic pregnacy please don't hesitate to test when you are concerned.
Alex will just have to deal with it.
Good luck.
Maja - thanks. I knew that about the IUD (not preventing conception) but I don't know, forgot? Like, I was trying to reassure myself that I wasn't - but I have passed.... fertilized things. Probably... 6 times. And then two slightly developed embryos recently.
I just want to know, early enough so that I can safely and quickly end any possible pregnancy.
And I'm just paranoid because my mom got pregnant with all 3 of us while taking birth control. I got pregnant my first cyle of ttc. I guess we happen to be fertile.