Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

These startling images show the tiny baby boy who was born grabbing his mother’s intrauterine device in his hand after the device did not stop her from becoming pregnant.

The incident took place at Hai Phong International Hospital in the city of Hai Phong in northern Vietnam and the images of the newborn have since been widely shared on social media.

In the photos, the baby boy can be seen with his eyes closed holding the yellow and black intrauterine device (IUD).

Obstetrician Tran Viet Phuong said the device had come out when the baby was born. The infant had it held firmly in his hands when the picture was taken.

Phuong told local media: “After delivery, I thought him holding the device was interesting, so I took a picture. I never thought it would receive so much attention.”

The tot’s 34-year-old mother had reportedly had the IUD inserted two years earlier but it did not work as she later discovered she was pregnant.

Phuong said the IUD may have been moved from its original position, becoming an ineffective form of contraception and allowing the mother to become pregnant.

The baby was healthy when born, weighing 3.2 kilogrammes (7 lbs), and both mother and child were under observation in the hospital after the birth.

The mother had previously had two other children, according to reports.

An IUD, also known as the coil, prevent sperm from being able to fertilise a woman’s eggs and can work by either releasing copper or hormones after being inserted into a woman’s uterus.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.