Ultrasound location of intrauterine devices placed at cesarean section over the first year postpartum

The primary objective was to measure IUD-fundus and IUD-myometrium distances by ultrasound of IUDs placed during cesarean section over the first year of use. The secondary objective was to determine if these distances are associated with risk of expulsion or removal for side effects.

In this prospective observational study, we performed ultrasounds at six - ten weeks, three months and one year postpartum to measure the distance from the top of the device to the fundal serosa (IUD-fundus) and upper margin of the endometrial cavity (IUD-myometrium). We also assessed IUD expulsion or discontinuation for side effects at each visit.

We enrolled 93 women who had copper (n = 77) or levonorgestrel (n = 16) IUDs placed at time of cesarean section. Two patients had complete expulsion, six had partial expulsion and nine requested removal for symptoms. Overall, median IUD-fundus measurements were 2.13 cm (IQR 1.87-2.55) at 6-10 weeks, 1.87 cm (IQR 1.53-2.23) at 3-months and 2.02 cm (IQR 1.67-2.40) at 1-year. Among copper IUD users, distances at six weeks and three months were similar in women who did or did not have expulsion or removal at one year however small numbers limit our ability to assess this relationship.

We describe the location on ultrasound of IUDs placed at the time of Cesarean section over the first year. We found similar IUD locations at six weeks and three months for participants who did or did not experience expulsion or removal by one year.

Position of intrauterine devices placed during cesarean section was similar for those who did or did not have expulsion or removal for symptoms in the first year after placement. These data may help in the design of future studies to determine if ultrasound measurement of IUDs predicts IUD complications.