Newborn pictured holding mum’s failed IUD after surprise pregnancy

In an extremely rare case, a woman has given birth despite taking birth control, with images showing the baby clutching onto her mum’s IUD.

Heartwarming images show a newborn holding his mum’s coil that failed to prevent a pregnancy.

Paula dos Santos Escudero Alvarez, 32, gave birth to Bernado on July 4 in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

Paula, already a mum to one, had been using the birth control – called an intrauterine device (IUD) but better known as the coil – for three years.

But she fell pregnant anyway, which is extremely rare, as the device works for between five and ten years.

Bernardo was born healthy at 36 weeks, weighing just over 3kg.

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Paula dos Santos Escudero Alvarez’s son, Bernado, is pictured holding his mum’s coil which failed to prevent a pregnancy Picture: Newsflash/australscope

Shockingly Paula’s first child, Gabriel, was also born when she was on the contraceptive pill.

Birth photographer Michelle Oliveira described Bernado as a “miracle”.

She said when Bernado was born, the coil was removed and given to the newborn to hold and the tiny boy clutched it in his hand as he laid on his mum for the first time.

“The IUD was placed in his little hand to represent his arrival,” Michelle said.

“The baby was born, the IUD was removed straight away, and the doctor placed it in his little hand.”

Michelle wrote on Instagram that “there are no barriers that stop a miracle”.

She said: “This arrival was beautiful and exciting. What a joy to share this rarity! Welcome, Bernardo!”

The coil was placed in little Bernado’s hand ‘to represent his arrival’. Picture: Newsflash/australscope

What is an IUD?

According to Health Direct Australia an intrauterine device (IUD) is a small contraceptive device that is put into the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy.

The two types available in Australia are the copper IUD and the hormonal IUD (MirenaTM). The copper IUD is designed to stay in place for up to 10 years and the hormonal IUD (Mirena) for five years. Both can easily be removed sooner, if needed.

How effective is the IUD?

Health Direct Australia states IUD works very well if inserted properly, and is one of the most effective reversible methods of contraception available.

“If 100 women use an IUD for a year, fewer than one will become pregnant,” the site reads.

In the event of an IUD fail and you become pregnant, there’s a small increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

In most pregnancies involving coils, doctors try to remove the device at the earliest possible opportunity.

However, in Paula’s case, it was not possible as the wire was not visible.

RELATED: Why Australia should ditch the pill

Bernado with his mum and dad (who has not been named). Picture: Newsflash/australscope

In July last year, another woman also gave birth after her contraception “failed”. The woman’s baby boy arrived reportedly clutching his mum’s contraceptive device in a hilarious snap that has since gone viral.

The images were shared by obstetrician Tran Viet Phuong, who said she thought it was “interesting” he was clasping the intra-uterine device (IUD) as he came into the world.

“After delivery, I thought him holding the device was interesting, so I took a picture. I never thought it would receive so much attention,” she said.

The baby’s 34-year-old mother said she had the coil inserted two years earlier but it clearly didn’t work because she later found out she was pregnant.