Comparison of the Levonorgestrel IUD and the Copper IUD Placed in the Immediate Postplacental Period: A Prospective Cohort Study
Comparison of the Levonorgestrel IUD and the Copper IUD Placed in the Immediate Postplacental Period: A Prospective Cohort Study
The intrauterine device (IUD) is a safe, highly effective, long acting, and reversible form
 of contraception. The postpartum period is an important moment for contraceptive
 intervention; however there are many barriers to women obtaining birth control postpartum.
 The use of the IUD in the immediate postpartum setting offers many advantages and is
 considered safe, but the risk of expulsion appears to be higher than with interval insertion.
 Previous studies have shown the rate of expulsion of the copper IUD in the postplacental
 period to be in the range of 1-14% by 6-12 months, while the only study of the levonorgestrel
 IUD in the postplacental period documented a rate of expulsion of 24% by 12 months. While
 studies related to the copper IUD use ring forceps or the operator's hand for placement of
 the IUD, the only published study investigating immediate postplacental levonorgestrel IUD
 insertion utilized the manufacturer's inserter for IUD placement. The investigators therefore
 ask the question, is there a difference in expulsion rates between levonorgestrel and copper
 IUDs placed post-placentally when all providers undergo a standardized training, use a
 standardized insertion technique, and when patient level characteristics are controlled by
 randomization?

 The investigators propose to perform a prospective cohort trial comparing the rates of
 expulsion for the levonorgestrel and the copper IUD by 3 months postpartum when placed in the
 uterus within 10 minutes of the delivery of the placenta, using a standardized technique
 (placement with a ring forceps or the operator's hand) after all providers undergo a formal
 didactic and skills training. The investigators hypothesis is that the levonorgestrel IUD has
 a higher rate of expulsion as compared to the copper IUD. Additional objectives include a
 comparison of the rates of complete IUD expulsion, partial IUD expulsion, unrecognized
 expulsions, complications, IUD continuation, pregnancy, and satisfaction. Additionally, the
 investigators will document the natural history of the location of the IUD within the uterus
 when placed in the immediate postpartum period, utilizing ultrasound at 24 hours, 6 weeks,
 and 3 months postpartum, to better understand the relationship between position of the IUD
 and subsequent expulsion.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Women age ≥ 18

 -  Desire for immediate postpartum IUD or postpartum day #1 after a postplacental IUD
 placement

 -  English or Spanish speaking

 -  Willing to attend 2 follow-up visits

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Multiple gestations

 -  Delivery prior to 35 weeks gestational age

 -  Allergy or sensitivity to any component of either IUD (including polyethylene,
 levonorgestrel or copper)

 -  Cesarean delivery

 -  Postpartum hemorrhage (estimated blood loss > 500 mL)

 -  Chorioamnionitis

 -  Abnormal uterine anatomy (including uterine anomaly or large fibroids)

 -  Treated for Chlamydia or Gonorrhea during pregnancy without a subsequent negative
 follow-up test

 -  Current cervical cancer or carcinoma in situ

 -  Current breast cancer

 -  Wilson's disease

 -  If enrolling postpartum after IUD has already been placed, women will be excluded if
 the provider used an insertion technique other than using the ring forceps or the
 operator's hand