What is an IUD?

An IUD is a form of contraceptive; a small coil of about 3 cm inserted by a doctor in the womb to prevent pregnancy. An individual who becomes pregnant with an IUD must have an ultrasound because when getting pregnant despite the IUD, the risk of an ectopic pregnancy is higher. The IUD makes the uterus and cervix inhospitable for a fertilized egg and therefore if a pregnancy does occur, it is more likely that it will occur outside the uterus. If the ultrasound shows that pregnancy is in the uterus, if possible, we advise to have the IUD removed before doing the abortion.