Pregnant with a Copper T in place: what should I do?
Lawful, licensed, confidential. Termination of pregnancy at Pai Hospital is carried out lawfully under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (as amended), at a licensed facility, by registered medical practitioners, within the limits and the certification that the Act requires. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind, at any stage, for any reason. Your identity and your treatment are confidential.
If your pregnancy test is positive with a Copper T in place, see a doctor promptly rather than waiting. An ultrasound scan shows where the pregnancy is, rules out a pregnancy outside the womb, and shows where the device is. Your care is then planned with you, whether you wish to continue the pregnancy or not.
Can you really get pregnant with a Copper T in place?
Yes, although it is uncommon. A Copper T is a very reliable method of contraception, but no method is perfect. If you have just seen a positive test, you may feel shocked, confused, or let down by a method you trusted. Please know that this is not your fault, and that there is a clear and safe way forward.
There are a few ways it can happen. The device may have slipped partly or fully out of place, sometimes without you noticing, often during a period. It may have stayed in beyond its working life: the Copper T 380A, one of the most widely used types, lasts up to ten years, while some other types, like the Cu 375 (known by brand names such as Multiload), last up to five years. And occasionally a pregnancy begins even when the device is in the right place and within its lifespan. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Why should you not wait and see?
When a pregnancy happens with a Copper T in place, there is a higher chance than usual that it is not inside the womb at all, but growing somewhere else, most often in one of the fallopian tubes. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. It is not a normal pregnancy, and treating it is not a termination. It is a medical emergency that needs different, urgent care, and in its early stages it may cause few or no warning signs.
That is why we ask you to come in promptly, even if you feel well. And if you have strong pain low in your tummy, especially on one side, heavy bleeding, pain in the tip of your shoulder, or you feel faint or dizzy, please do not wait for an appointment. Go to the nearest hospital emergency department straight away.
What does the ultrasound scan check?
When you come in, we begin with an ultrasound scan, because it answers the two questions that matter most. The first is where the pregnancy is. The scan checks that it is inside the womb and helps rule out a pregnancy outside it. It also shows how the pregnancy is developing and how far along it is, which a home test cannot tell you.
The second question is where the Copper T is. The scan shows whether the device is still in its proper place, whether it has moved lower down or become lodged in the wall of the womb, or whether it has come out altogether. Together with a gentle examination, these answers let the doctor plan your care safely, rather than guessing.
Should you remove the Copper T yourself?
No. Please do not pull on the threads or try to take the device out yourself, and do not ask anyone other than a doctor to do it. Removing it before anyone knows where the pregnancy is, and where the device is sitting, can cause harm. Once the scan has been done, the doctor will decide with you whether the device should be removed, and when and how.
What are your options if the pregnancy is inside the womb?
Once we know the pregnancy is inside the womb, we plan your care together, and the choice is yours. There is no judgement either way, and you will be given time to think.
If you wish to continue the pregnancy, the doctor will talk you through whether the Copper T should be removed, and how, because a device left in a growing pregnancy can cause problems. You will then receive regular pregnancy care, like any other expectant mother.
If you decide that the pregnancy is not right for you, ending it is lawful care under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, provided at our government-licensed hospital. The Act expressly recognises the distress that a pregnancy caused by a failed method of contraception can bring. Whether a termination is suitable, and which method is right for you, is decided after you have been seen and assessed, and the Copper T is removed as part of that care. Married or unmarried, you are treated the same, with privacy and respect.
How is any procedure made as safe as possible?
If a procedure is needed, two standards make a real difference. First, we use 100% single-use disposable instruments, opened fresh for you and never used on anyone else. This keeps everything clean and protects against cross-contamination between patients.
Second, every surgical procedure, whether suction or D&C, is done under real-time ultrasound guidance. The doctor watches your womb on the screen throughout. This lowers the risk of complications such as perforation, and it shows the exact moment the womb is empty, so the procedure stops right there, with no unnecessary scraping. That helps protect the lining of your womb for any future pregnancy.
For a surgical abortion, which is done under anaesthesia, our policy is that you come with a responsible adult who can take you home afterwards; for other types of abortion, you may come on your own. If arranging a companion is hard, tell us when you call and we will help you find a way.
What about contraception afterwards?
Whatever you decide, it is worth thinking about what will protect you next. If you continue the pregnancy, we can talk about contraception after the birth. If the pregnancy is ended, fertility can return quickly, sometimes before your next period, so it helps to plan a method straight away. You may choose a new Copper T, a hormonal coil (known by brand names such as Mirena), which lasts up to five years, or another method that suits you better. You can read more about contraception after an abortion, and we will decide together, in person.
Getting started
If you have a Copper T and a positive pregnancy test, please call or message us promptly. A call, a message or an online consultation can tell you whether treatment is feasible and guide your next step, but it cannot replace a scan. We do not send any medicine by post or courier, and we do not carry out any abortion by phone; any abortion service is received in person at the hospital in Goa. Whatever you share with us stays private. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.
Can I get pregnant with a Copper T in place?
Yes, although it is uncommon. The device may have slipped out of place or passed the end of its working life, and occasionally a pregnancy begins even when it is correctly placed.
Is a pregnancy with a Copper T dangerous?
It needs prompt attention, because there is a higher chance than usual that the pregnancy is outside the womb, which is an emergency. An ultrasound scan checks this.
Should I take the Copper T out myself?
No. Please do not pull the threads or try to remove it. The doctor will first check the pregnancy and the device on a scan, and then decide with you whether, when and how it should be removed.
Can the pregnancy be ended if I do not want to continue it?
Where it is suitable after assessment, yes, as lawful care under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act at our government-licensed hospital in Goa. The Copper T is removed as part of that care, which is always given in person.
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This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.