[Pregnancies with intra-uterine devices in-situ (author's transl)]

Pregnancies occurring with an intra-uterine device in situ were reviewed. Of 438 insertions since 1966, 31 patients became pregnant. 25 pregancies occurred with a Lippes Loop C or D of 277 insertions. Six pregnancies occurred with the Dalkon Shield among 161 patients. About 50% of the pregnancies occurred in the age group from 26 to 29 years and only 13% in the age group 20 to 25 years. Pregnancy did not occur in the age group below 20 years and in the age group above 40 years. The highest number of pregnancies occurred in Para 2's and Para 3's. 84% of all pregnancies occurred within the first 18 months after the insertion of the I.U.C.D. 13 of the pregnancies ended in therapeutic abortion and nine of these were combined with sterilization. Five pregnancies (about 20%) ended in a spontaneous abortion and one pregnancy ended in a premature delivery at 22 weeks. Five pregnancies went to term and three of these patients had tubal ligations post-partum. -- The three ectopic pregnancies are described in detail. There was one ovarian pregnancy, one tubal pregnancy and one pregnancy in the uterosacral ligament. -- The intra-uterine device is considered to be an acceptable method of contraception. The incidence of spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy with an intra-uterine device in situ is increased. Because of the increased incidence of infertility following an ectopic pregnancy, the intra-uterine contraceptive device is only recommended with great reservation as a contraceptive method for nulligravidas.