A 28-year-old woman, Milja Maunuvaara, was surprised to discover she was pregnant despite having a copper coil inserted as a form of contraception. The pregnancy turned out to be ectopic, a condition where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often due to low hormone levels. Despite having the intrauterine device (IUD) for 18 months and trusting it completely, Milja experienced intense stomach pains in September, leading to a visit to her GP in Helsinki, Finland. An ultrasound confirmed her pregnancy.
Having used contraceptive pills for a decade before opting for the copper coil, Milja expressed her shock at the situation, stating her trust in the contraceptive method. She mentioned that the ectopic pregnancy, while unexpected, brought some relief as she did not wish to have a child at that time.
Given the ectopic nature of the pregnancy, Milja was presented with three options by doctors: to wait for a natural resolution, to terminate the pregnancy with medication, or to undergo surgery. Opting for medication over surgery due to nervousness, she received an injection that concluded the process in a day.
Following this experience, Milja now uses condoms with her partner and avoids birth control pills due to concerns about chemicals in her body. Despite her experience, the NHS emphasizes the high effectiveness of the copper coil when used correctly, indicating it is more than 99% successful in preventing pregnancy. The NHS also highlights the effectiveness of other contraceptive methods and notes that while condoms are effective in reducing STI transmission, they carry pregnancy risks.
Women can access free copper coil fitting at sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries, where medical history discussions are part of the initial appointment process, according to information provided on the NHS website.