Implanon® failure

Abstract

A 28-year old woman, P1-0-1-1 presented with 5-month amenorrhea after having had single - rod 68 mg - etonorgestrel contraceptive implant (Implanon®) for 18 months. Pregnancy was diagnosed by physical examination and confirmed by ultrasonography. At first, she wanted to have her pregnancy terminated because of a financial problem and anxiety about fetal anomaly as well as pregnancy complication. However, after counseling, she decided to continue her pregnancy and had a normal male infant delivered by cesarean section. This pregnancy is considered as product failure, which is very rare and is the first report in Thailand. Clinical counseling on medical risk of pregnancy and fetal anomaly can reduce the mother's anxiety and assure her to carry on her pregnancy as done in this case.