'Miracle' Newborn Baby Photographed Holding Mum's Coil

Baby Bernardo was born healthy at 36 weeks, weighing 7.0 lbs and measuring 49 centimetres (19.3 in).

Birth photographer Michelle Oliveira described the newborn as a 'miracle', given his 32-year-old mum had been using an intrauterine device (IUD) - also known as a coil - for three years.

Bernardo is not Paula's first 'miracle' child; her older son Gabriel was born when she was on the pill.

"I had the IUD in place in May 2018, a few months after the birth of my first child.

"I found out I was pregnant because of my menstruation. It was late and my breasts were swollen, just like in the first pregnancy.

"The beginning of pregnancy was distressing for not knowing if the IUD would bring any kind of problem or malformation to my son. But right after the medical appointments, I felt calmer.

"Everyone told me not to worry, because the pregnancy would occur normally."

Obstetrician Beatriz Tupinamba said the pregnancy rate for women using coils is just 0.6 percent.

She added that 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.

She explained: "The baby came out first and then I took the IUD. The device was deep in the uterus."

The IUD was then placed in Bernardo's hand for the powerful snap - a picture that truly says more than a thousand words.

Photographer Michelle said: "I've been a birth photographer for over five years.

"My inspiration is to make moments into memories for the family, especially for the baby, build stories, and create fond memories.

"The IUD was placed in his little hand to represent his arrival. The baby was born, the IUD was removed straight away, and the doctor placed it in his little hand."