[The outcome of continuing pregnancies in patients with intrauterine devices. A retrospective study from the Maternity Unit of the University Hospital Center at Caen during the period 1985-1988].

This study has been carried out to investigate whether the presence of an intra-uterine contraceptive device in pregnancy is a risk factor for the pregnancy, for the fetus and for the mother. We have concerned ourselves with pregnancies that led to a viable fetus. We wanted to know whether early removal of the device altered the bad effects of the device. The same types of pathology such as bleeding, threatened premature labour, premature rupture of the membranes and premature delivery occurred whether the device was removed or not; but the incidence of the various complications was increased if the device remained in place the whole pregnancy. It seems absolutely necessary for every woman who becomes pregnant with an intra-uterine device to have the pregnancy diagnosed as early as possible and for the device to be removed to lessen the risk of complications. When this is not done the pregnancy should be considered a high risk pregnancy.