Monitoring With Ultrasound Imaging of Intrauterine Device (IUD) Position Placed Immediately After Giving Birth

The goal of this study is to document the expected ultrasound appearance of intrauterine devices (IUDs) placed immediately postpartum. This practice has been shown to be safe and effective, but little is known about long-term follow up for IUDs placed in this setting. Because IUD strings will not be visualized for many patients after immediate postpartum IUD placement, sonographic imaging will likely be required for the majority of patients to determine expulsion. However, the ultrasound appearance of these IUDs, placed immediately after birth and before uterine involution, may be different than those IUDs placed outside of the postpartum period. To our knowledge no other study has documented expected ultrasound appearance of IUDs placed in the immediate postpartum period.

The specific aims of this study are to: 1. document normal appearance of IUDs on ultrasound after immediate postpartum placement; 2. document if this appearance changes over time; and 3. determine if location on ultrasound is associated with side effects or expulsion.

Study design This is a prospective, observational study. All patients who have an IUD (either copper or levonorgestrel) placed immediately postpartum (within 10 minutes of delivery of placenta) after either Cesarean or vaginal delivery at Mount Sinai Medical Center and at Elmhurst Hospital Center will be eligible to participate in the study.

Study visits will include a speculum exam for IUD string check at 6 weeks, and ultrasounds to evaluate IUD position at the following time points: 6-10 weeks following placement, 3 months following placement (with inclusion up to 6 months), and 12 months following placement (with inclusion up to 15 months).

The ultrasound will document the following: size and position of uterus, IUD-Myometrium distance, IUD-endometrium distance, IUD-fundus distance and position of IUD. When participants present for the scheduled ultrasound visits, they will be asked to return with the completed symptom diary as well, to assess bleeding and pain.

Study Endpoints IUD expulsion, removal, or completion of the 12-15 month follow up visit will be the study endpoints. The participant will be withdrawn from the study if IUD expulsion occurs, or if she requests IUD removal for any reason. Participants will also be able to withdraw from the study at any time if they no longer wish to participate, but they may keep their IUD in place if desired.

Study procedures At the routine 6 week postpartum visit for all patients, pelvic and speculum exam will be performed as per normal clinical routine, and visualization of IUD strings at the cervical os will be documented. If IUD strings are not visualized, an ultrasound will be performed by the clinical provider to confirm presence or absence of IUD within the uterus.

A formal ultrasound to evaluate IUD position will be scheduled in the FPA gynecologic ultrasound unit or in the Gynecology clinic at EHC at the following time points: 6-10 weeks following placement, 3 months following placement (with inclusion up to 6 months), and 12 months following placement (with inclusion up to 15 months). The formal ultrasound will document the following: size and position of uterus, endometrial stripe (EMS) thickness, IUD-Myometrium distance, IUD-endometrium distance, IUD-fundus distance and position of IUD.

Immediate postpartum placement of IUDs is a relatively new clinical practice in the United States; as such there is no recommended or "standard" follow up protocol in this situation. For IUDs placed outside of the postpartum period, the standard follow up is a string check (speculum exam to confirm presence of strings at cervical os) 2-6 weeks after IUD placement. If strings are not visible, or if the patient experiences symptoms concerning for expulsion, a transvaginal ultrasound will be performed. Once correct placement is confirmed by ultrasound, patients without visible strings generally have ultrasounds yearly to confirm placement. Based on this standard practice, patients with visible strings will have the ultrasound only for research purposes. Additionally, the three month ultrasound will be only for research purposes, even in those without visible strings.

When participants present for the scheduled ultrasound visits, they will be asked to return with the completed symptom diary as well.

Inclusion criteria

• Women >18 years of age
• English or Spanish speaking
• Desire postpartum IUD placement, either copper IUD or levonorgestrel IUD

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindications for IUD use (CDC MEDICAL Eligibility Criteria category 3 or 4 for specific IUD)
• Positive Chlamydia or gonorrhea cervical cultures in past 3 months
• Immediate postpartum hemorrhage
• Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) >12h or diagnosis of endometritis