Copper IUD & Pregnancy Risk: Understanding Your Options

Question
I think I am pregnant. I don't want to be. I am due to have my coil fitted on Friday. If I go ahead with it, will the fitting cause a miscarriage? Will it be possbile for them to do it (if I don't tell them that I have my suspicions?) I have had two miscarriages, and I have two children who are both young, neither myself nor my husband are ready to handle another pregnancy. Please help me.

Answer
The copper IUD works as emergency contraception, but must be inserted up to the time of implantation, which means by one week after ovulation and before a pregnancy test would be positive.  If it's inserted later, it may or may not cause a miscarriage, but does increase the risk of serious infection in the uterus.  If pregnancy occurs with an IUD, it's always recommended that it be removed soon because of this infection risk.  If you're more than a week after ovulation, it will be possible for them to put a coil in, but it would be foolish and possibly dangerous.  There are medical and surgical methods of abortion that would be more effective and safer.