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Original poster

Induction for IVF pregnancy

28 replies

lottie198 · 22/11/2021 18:18

Hi,
Just asking a little advice and if anyone has experienced anything around this topic.
I conceived my first child via IVF and am due 26th December.
I had a consultant appointment when I was 31 weeks after a growth scan discussing the possibility of an induction from 39 weeks/due date. He said there is evidence that the placenta doesn't work as well towards the end in IVF pregnancies. Something along these lines... however- I have not found any evidence to support this.
I have been in for reduced movements multiple times also (5 times since 28 weeks and I'm now 35 weeks). They monitor me twice weekly with ctg and scans now.
Every CTG and scan has shown everything is normal. My placenta sits along the front of the baby so this may be a reason for reduced movements but cannot be blamed if that makes sense.
I've also had growth scans which show baby is following the line. He's actually jumped centiles to 90th.
Anyway.. my question is. What would you do?
Would you take an induction? Or continue to get monitored and wait for Labour to occur naturally.
I'm unsure what to do for the best. I don't want to put the baby at risk by declining an induction. But I'm also informed there are other risks with induction which need to be taken into consideration.
Sorry for the long post! Hope somebody can help.

OP posts:

Lockdownbear · 22/11/2021 18:24

I'd take the induction.

Consultants very often see IVF babies as a little more precious and want to see them cooked and out the oven ASAP.

But the bottom line is if if you refused and shit happened you'd never forgive yourself.

MrsToadflax · 22/11/2021 18:25

I would not have the induction unless there was direct evidence that baby was in distress. Very often it's just hospital policy, rather than what's right for each woman. I know some women have positive inductions, but on the whole once you start interfering with natural labour it leads to more medical interventions. If you're hoping for a vaginal birth, I would let things progress as naturally as possible.

Lockdownbear · 22/11/2021 19:24

Once baby is showing signs of distress I'd have thought they'd be thinking about c-section rather than induction.
Induction can take 2-3 days.

Quail15 · 22/11/2021 19:43

I had an induction at 39 weeks for my Ivf pregnancy. It was recommended but I ended up needing it as I developed complications at 38/39 weeks. The induction process was straight forward and I had a lovely labour (using the pool) and straight forward birth.

I ended up requesting an induction at 39 weeks, due to baby measuring on the larger size, for my second child - again straight forward and very quick labour and birth.

Slippingcareer · 22/11/2021 19:57

My consultant had said he wouldn't want me to go past 40 weeks because my pregnancy was IVF. I had been going to request that they let me go to 41 weeks as induction can make for a more difficult labour, and I was trying for a VBAC.

As it turned out I went into labour at 38+4.

checkedroses · 22/11/2021 20:01

Likewise I was told my pregnancy wasn’t to go past 40 weeks - in the end early emergency section for fetal distress in early (natural) labour at 38 weeks. He was small all the way through though and small (6lb) at birth. A less small and significantly more smelly teen now

8dpwoah · 22/11/2021 20:04

From my own experience of induction recently (not IVF, just dates) I'd be asking, assuming it's precautionary rather than a medical need coming up, what their 'queue' is like for inductions and for antenatal and delivery beds. I was really lucky my waters went by themself after one pessary with this baby (took four days to get to 2cm for ARM with my first) but if they hadn't I'd have been stuck on antenatal in a long queue and that's not good prep for labour.

If your trust isn't experiencing those difficulties then I'd say induction isn't always horrible, with this one I wasn't t even in hospital 24 hours in total, but I planned to be in for a week again.

However if I'd known more about the potential length of wait die to staffing and beds this time I might well have waited a day or two more to see if I went spontaneously, although I couldn't wait too long as was at 41 weeks already.

ricepolo · 22/11/2021 20:08

At 39 weeks I’d take the induction. Baby is cooked by then. Yes you might have a horrid experience and go to c section but, to be blunt, that’s better than your placenta failing whilst the baby is still relying on it.

ricepolo · 22/11/2021 20:11

(Not that I think you will end up with a section); I’ve had three inductions and all were fine…

Original poster

lottie198 · 22/11/2021 20:15

@Lockdownbear

Once baby is showing signs of distress I'd have thought they'd be thinking about c-section rather than induction. Induction can take 2-3 days.

Baby isn't showing signs of distress ...

OP posts:

Original poster

lottie198 · 22/11/2021 20:16

@Quail15

I ended up requesting an induction at 39 weeks, due to baby measuring on the larger size, for my second child - again straight forward and very quick labour and birth.

Thank you ! It's great to hear some positive induction stories! You hear so many negative ones x

OP posts:

PinkPlantCase · 22/11/2021 20:18

Sarah Wickham’s book, Inducing labour is really good at running through the different reasons why labour is induced and the research behind it.

If I’m honest I can’t remember what it said about ivf pregnancies but I am sure there was a chapter on it. It’s well worth a read.

WorriedGiraffe · 22/11/2021 20:18

I’d take the induction as it’s known that IVF pregnancies are at higher risk of stillbirth at the end of pregnancy. And you’ve already had reduced movements, I just wouldn’t take the risk at 39 weeks at all. Any birth carries a small risk, and it’s a difficult decision to make, but my opinion is that following medical advice is the best way.

WorriedGiraffe · 22/11/2021 20:20

Just to add, I didn’t have an IVF pregnancy, but I did have an induction and it was relaxed and well controlled. I don’t have a natural labour to compare it to but I didn’t find the experience a negative one.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 22/11/2021 20:23

I had induction at 40+2 with my ivf pregnancy. Had a straight forward forehand besides growth scans as I carried small. Baby always measured fine. I refused induction before due date. He was due on 4th induction booked for 6th born on 7th. Took 13 hours from pessary in to giving birth. I would say it was a positive experience. I did have a 4th degree tear but that could have happened in a spontaneous labour too.

I agree my hospital treated it a bit more ‘precious’ after the tough journey we had to get here.

Level75 · 22/11/2021 20:28

They tried that line with me but I'd done my research and there was no evidence of an increased risk in my specific circumstances. Iirc (this was years ago) there is some evidence that it's better to induce with ivf pregnancies, but the risk is usually related to the reason for needing the ivf itself e.g. age. Do your own research and don't just assume even the consultant knows best - they have far too blanket approach to risk.

You're also right you do need to balance this against the risk from inductions too - not just the physical outcomes (higher chance of forceps and damage) but also the psychological challenges of an accelerated process (usually more pain).

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 22/11/2021 20:29

IVF babies are no more precious than other babies. Perhaps they’re more delicate for some medical reason but the journey you’ve gone on to conceive shouldn’t make any difference as to their value!

Lockdownbear · 22/11/2021 20:36

Baby isn't showing signs of distress ..

I didn't think it was either, I was replying to the poster who suggested she would only have an induction if baby was showing signs of distress. I don't think they'd consider induction if a baby was distressed. I think distressed babies needs delivered ASAP.

Op I'd still go with the induction.

A natural labour might happen, there is very little evidence / surveys on what happens when they leave IVF pregnancies alone, because nobody wants to be the 'wait and see Consultant', all anyone wants, is to see those babies safely in mums arms.

Lockdownbear · 22/11/2021 20:40

@SweetBabyCheeses99

The issues are if your body doesn't produce the right hormones to get pregnant/ sustain a pregnancy. Their is no guarantee it will produce the right hormones to labour.

Consultants know the effort and £££ that have gone into a IVF pregnancy. They don't want to take chances and fuck it up at the end.

LillyLeaf · 22/11/2021 20:44

I took the induction it was really not what I wanted to do but I couldn't get past the increase in stillbirth which is only tiny but I felt I had no other choice. It went fine but did play out exactly how I thought it would once you start with interventions. We agreed to start the gels at 40+2 and I gave birth 2 days later with the drip. Good luck, it's really hard to decide what to do. I'm still slightly annoyed I didn't at least try to have the birth I wanted all because it was ivf especially because I doubt we'll have another one.

Beseen22 · 22/11/2021 20:52

I had 2 episodes of reduced movement and a maturing placenta with my second and had to have ctgs every day from 37 weeks all with variances in heart rate that they weren't happy with
I was booked for an induction and went into labour the night before after a very thorough sweep. He had the umbilical cord around him about 8 times.

Fwiw my induction with my first was great, I had pessary inserted at 3pm and he was born at 12pm the next day. It was nice going in to hospital not in a rush. The midwife was amazing, she knew i wanted to give birth not on my back, I wanted to delay cord clamping and I wanted to have an hour with the baby undisturbed after birth. She made it all happen even though I needed to go to theatre to get placenta removed and a tear repaired.

Congratulations on your baby

Mummsnett · 22/11/2021 20:53

Good work op on questioning this recommendation! It's important to go into labour informed and feeling confident. My first was an induction and my second was natural. Not ivf babies but I'm not aware that they are different...? For my first I had already started and was 2cm dilated when I went in to be induced. It was very calm and pretty much textbook. I had a minor tear and did it on gas and air alone. Baby was 9lb2oz. I would do it again tomorrow, it was obviously tough, but I'd no interventions and I felt in control and knew my options as I had done my research. In hindsight I wish I'd pushed back and let my body carry on naturally for a day or two longer with daily monitoring, but that's very specific to my labour. It's impossible to say how your pregnancy will finish and labour begin, but whatever happens just go with your gut. If something makes you uneasy, you'll go into labour anxious and stressed, when you need to be as relaxed as possible to get the oxytocin flowing. The "due date" calculation is questionable anyhow, its ridiculous to say every baby grows and will be birthed on the exact same trajectory. Good luck and overall try to keep an open mind, ultimately everyone involved wants mum and baby to be safe and well.

MrsToadflax · 23/11/2021 08:55

@Lockdownbear

Once baby is showing signs of distress I'd have thought they'd be thinking about c-section rather than induction. Induction can take 2-3 days.

Yes sorry, I used the wrong word. Not distress, but if it is deemed there's a medical need.

IsabelHerna · 23/11/2021 15:04

Do you have to have the induction right now or can you wait a bit more? You're in a tough spot having to decide this. Personally, I would wait a few more days -maybe even a week- and then have the induction. Hugs and positivity to you

applesandbananas93 · 23/11/2021 15:12

I was induced at term (40 weeks) because I had been in 3 times for reduced movements. I think that is fairly standard practice too. Could this be part of the reason induction has been suggested?

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