If you decide you want to get pregnant, you can ask your healthcare provider to remove Paragard at any time. After removal, the effects of Paragard® are immediately reversible.
What if I change my mind and want to become pregnant?
How soon after I give birth can I get the Paragard IUD placed?
Paragard can be placed immediately after child birth (postpartum) or during the second postpartum month.
Placement immediately after delivery may result in higher risk of expulsion. Unless placed immediately postpartum, placement should be delayed to the second postpartum month.
Talk to your healthcare provider in advance if you would like to schedule a postpartum placement.
If you think you are pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. If you are pregnant while using Paragard, you may have an ectopic pregnancy which means the pregnancy is not in your uterus. Unusual vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain may be signs of an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency that often requires surgery; it can cause internal bleeding, infertility and even death.
There are also risks if you get pregnant and Paragard is in your uterus. Severe infection, miscarriage, premature delivery, and even death can occur. Because of this, your healthcare provider may try to remove Paragard, even though removing it may cause a miscarriage.
If you continue your pregnancy with Paragard in place, see your healthcare provider regularly. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, cramping, pain, bleeding, vaginal discharge, or fluid leaking from your vagina.
It is not known if Paragard can cause long-term effects on the fetus if it stays in place during a pregnancy.
What if I become pregnant while using the Paragard® IUD?
