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A young woman was stunned to be told she was pregnant — despite getting the copper coil fitted. Milja Maunuvaara, 28, had an ectopic pregnancy , which occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside the uterus often due to low hormone levels. However, she'd had the copper coil — an intrauterine device (IUD) — 18 months prior and "trusted it 100%". There had been no issues with it until in September when Milja, from Helsinki, Finland , experienced intense stomach pains one morning. These persisted for two days so Milja went to see her GP , who suggested the woman may be expecting, an ultrasound eventually confirmed this was the case. Milja, who had been on contraceptive pills for around 10 years before opting for the copper, said: "The IUD had been recommended as a hormone-free and very reliable option," she said. I completely trusted it, just like I trusted the pill before. "I never imagined this could happen. But it was kind of a relief that the pregnancy was ectopic, because having a child wasn't something I wanted at the time." Milja was given three choices when scans confirmed the pregnancy was ectopic. Doctors said she could wait and see if it would end on its own, to end it with medication, or to have surgery. "I didn't want to wait, but I was nervous about surgery, so I chose medication. I got an injection in my thigh and the whole thing was over within a day," she said. "Even if the IUD is supposed to be extremely effective, people should still take a pregnancy test if they notice symptoms or if their period is late. It's important to remember that no method is 100% reliable, and after going through this, I'd recommend choosing what feels right for your body." Since her experience, the young woman has always used condoms with her partner. She continues to avoid birth control pills because she is concerned about "chemicals in her body". But here, the NHS insists the copper coil is more than 99% to avoid pregnancy if used correctly all the time. It lists other pills, which it says are more than 90% effective and states that, while condoms reduce the transmission of STIs, these are less effective at preventing pregnancy due to risks. Women can get the copper coil fitted for free at sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries. A doctor or nurse will ask women about their medical history at the initial appointment, the NHS states on its website.
