Newborn baby pictured ‘victoriously’ holding his mum’s contraceptive IUD that failed to prevent pregnancy

A NEWBORN baby was pictured “victoriously” holding the contraceptive IUD (intrauterine device) that was supposed to prevent his mum from becoming pregnant just moments after birth.

His mum, Queidy Araujo de Oliveira, had been using the IUD for two years when she unexpectedly discovered she was pregnant during a routine check-up.

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Little Matheus Gabriel was delivered at the Hospital Sagrado Coracao de Jesus, in Neropolis, Brazil.

Dr Natalia Rodrigues, who performed the delivery, jokingly placed the copper intrauterine device in the baby’s hand and filmed the moment before posting it on social media on September 1st.

The clip, which shows the baby clenching the device in his tiny fist, was captioned: “Holding my victory trophy: the IUD that couldn’t handle me!”

An IUD is more than 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy.

But Dr Natalia used the opportunity as a reminder that NO contraceptive method is ‘100 per cent effective’.

There are two main types of IUDs: copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs, also known as hormonal intrauterine systems (IUS).

Copper IUDs prevent pregnancy by causing an immune response that is toxic to sperm and hinders implantation, while hormonal IUDs release a progestin hormone that thickens cervical mucus and thins the uterine lining.

The failure rate for the copper IUD used by the mum, Queidy, is only 0.6 per cent.

Dr Natalia said: “When we least expected it, during an IUD follow-up, during the ultrasound to check on the condition, I found out I was pregnant. The reaction was desperate.”

Doctors explained that removing the device would have put the unborn child at risk, leaving it in place for the entire pregnancy.

Queidy described suffering complications, including bleeding and detachments during the pregnancy, but said her son was born healthy.

Her husband, who had been waiting for a vasectomy, joked online that the “factory is now closed”.

Everything you need to know about IUD

An IUD, also called a copper coil, is a small plastic T-shape that a doctor or nurse puts into your womb (uterus) to prevent pregnancy.

It works as soon as it’s put in and lasts for five or 10 years.

After an IUD is removed fertility returns to previous levels straight away.

It’s important to note an IUD is not suitable for everyone.

You may not be suitable if you’re pregnant or think you might be, have an untreated pelvic or sexually transmitted infection (STI), have unexplained vaginal bleeding, or have certain conditions affecting your uterus. 

Also, an IUD doesn’t stop you getting or passing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The NHS recommends using a condom every time you have sex to protect you and your partner against STIs including HIV.

An IUD can become less effective or fail due to expulsion, malposition, or perforation of the uterus. 

Expulsion is when the IUD shifts or falls out, which can be related to uterine shape or a difficult insertion. 

Malposition is when the IUD is placed too low or incorrectly, reducing its effectiveness. 

Perforation is a rare but serious complication where the device pushes through the uterine wall. 

Routine check-ups after IUD insertion are not typically required by the NHS in the UK, but you should self-check your IUD strings monthly and seek an urgent appointment if you can’t feel them, have signs of infection (fever, pain, unusual discharge), heavy bleeding, or suspect the IUD has partially come out. 

A check-up at three to six weeks is a common recommendation from some providers to ensure the IUD is in place, but this may be combined with your annual check-up or done only if you’re concerned.  

How to choose the best method of contraception

THERE are numerous contraception options available on the NHS and privately, and finding the right one for you can take time.

Things to consider when deciding what contraception to use include how often you need to use it.

Some methods, like the coil, are long acting, while others you need to take every day or use every time you have sex, like the pill and condoms.

Hormonal methods of contraception can also sometimes leave users with side effects like headaches, feeling sick, mood swings, weight gain, sore breasts and acne.

These types can carry a very small risk of health issues like blood clots and breast cancer too, meaning hormonal methods won’t be suitable for everybody.

On top of this, some types will be more effective than others.

The implant and coil are deemed to be 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy, as is the pill and patch if used correctly.

But condoms can sometimes break and methods like natural family planning – tracking when you’re most fertile and avoiding sex at those times – tend to be less effective.

Speak to your GP about which of the following might suit you best:

• Combined pill (contains progestogen and oestrogen)
• Mini pill (contains progestogen only)
• Copper coil or intrauterine device (inserted into the womb and doesn’t contain hormones)
• Hormonal coil or intrauterine system (inserted into the womb and releases progestogen)
• Implant (inserted under the skin on your arm and releases progestogen)
• Injection (progestogen)
• Patch (worn on the skin and releases progestogen and oestrogen)
• Vaginal ring (put in the vagina and releases progestogen and oestrogen)
• Condoms (worn on the penis)
• Internal condoms (put in the vagina before sex)
• Female sterilisation (permanently stops eggs meeting sperm)
• Vasectomy or male steralisation (permanently stops sperm being ejaculated)
• Diaphragm or cap (put inside the vagina before sex to stop sperm getting into the womb)
• Natural family planning (includes tracking your menstrual cycle to avoid sex when you are most fertile)
• Morning after pill (to be used in emergency situations three to five days after sex)

Source: NHS