When Lucy Hellein, from Fort Mitchell, Alabama, was fitted with an Intrauterine Device (IUD) in August, she was pretty confident that pregnancy wasn't something she'd have to consider at least for a few years.

But, to her utter shock, about four months later, she discovered that she was pregnant - and not just 'a little pregnant' but already 18 weeks along!

This wasn't the first time Hellein had an IUD, in fact she'd had two Mirena devices before this one was implanted. The tiny, T-shaped device is inserted into a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy.

This particular type of IUD releases the hormone levonorgestrel that thickens the mucus on the cervix, preventing sperm from entering and eggs from leaving a woman's ovaries.

"I found out I was pregnant in December and I'll admit I was scared because of the Mirena," Hellein told the Mirror.

Hellein's device, the Mirena, has about a 0.2% failure rate, as long as it is inserted correctly...

The device seemingly hadn't been positioned correctly and was basically useless. They  couldn't spot the device on an ultrasound, so the obstetrician (OB) told Hellein that it likely fell out.

But, she wasn't convinced.

On April 27, her son, Dexter, was born by c-section weighing a healthy 9lbs 1oz. During the scheduled c-section, her doctor found the implant behind Hellein's placenta.

Hellein posted this adorable photo of Dexter holding the IUD with the caption "Mirena fail" after he was born. Within days it went viral, with over 56,000 views!

As for Hellein, she has no regrets: "Dexter was definitely meant to be. His original due date was May 4 and even the doctor said 'the force was strong with this one.'"

"Although he wasn't planned, my family and I feel incredibly blessed."

In this case, the old saying is definitely true: what's meant to be will always find a way!

[h/t Planned Parenthood / Metro]