IVF and overdue - induction necessary?

[Pigglypig]

Hi,

First time poster here...

I’m 40+2 with an IVF baby (due to PCOS). Just saw my midwife who said that she and the hospital recommend that I am induced at 41 weeks because IVF pregnancies carry an increased risk that the placenta will fail early.

Obviously I want to do the best thing for my baby but i really wanted to avoid unnecessary interventions and am definitely not keen on being induced!

The pregnancy has been completely uneventful, and the baby appears to be fine - had a growth scan on Friday which indicated 72nd percentile and everything working as it should. But not much is happening yet on the labour front!

I’m finding it hard to find any information anywhere about what the risks really are. Some online information seems to suggest there isn’t any increased risk at all.

I should have pressed my midwife more really but I was a bit caught off guard and just kind of said I’d do what they recommend. Now I’m questioning myself!

Has anyone else been given the same advice - or left to go to 42 weeks?

I’m from the UK but based in NZ - not sure whether the NHS has a different approach?

I'm 38+3 and have heard this too. There's a vague suggestion of my being induced in the next week or so due to reduced growth velocity (which may or may not be linked to ivf and reduced placenta performance).

I've been trying to find the research and it seems a bit inconclusive.

The closest I found was a study suggesting that ivf babies, on average, have a 3 days shorter gestation period - but no actual reasons given. It was a very closely controlled study Dutch study in the early 90's.

Let me know what you find and I'll let you know if I find anything else too! Honestly, I've spent a few hours researching and not found much (I like researching).

Maybe ask your docs for the research? And then pass it on to me - cause I just love finding out!!

I am pregnant with an IVF baby and was told by a consultant that I would not be allowed to got more than 1 week overdue.
I haven’t read it but was told there is research to suggest that the placenta can start to fail in IVF pregnancy’s and can lead to a higher rate of still births. With IVF they also know exactly when you have conceived so there is less doubt about how overdue you actually are.
My friend was at a hospital where she wasn’t allowed to go a day over due to IVF and was induced on her due date.

I’m due to be induced with an IVF pregnancy at 38+2 on the advice of a few consultants.

I’ve been closely monitored throughout pregnancy as while it’s been straight forward, there have been potential issues as my history includes recurrent miscarriage, blood issues etc.

Early placental disintegration was mentioned early on as a reason as to why they wouldn’t advise me going over 40w regardless.

Found a study done in mice confirming higher rates of placental abnormality??

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471727/

I've been told the same about increased risk of placenta failure after term in IVF pregnancies, my consultant did say that the research wasn't very extensive and in her opinion not conclusive but as it exists they do reccomended intervention rather than letting IVFers go to far over but she was open to discussion, however for me given that the research exists, my trust clearly thinks it's credible enough to make it standard practice and I've had anxiety issues about this pregnancy I'll be going with whatever is suggested should I reach 40 weeks.

Oh wow, so it sounds like the advice I have been given is quite standard. Still can’t find anything online though and I wonder how much of the position taken is due to the medical profession wanting to be super extra careful with fertility assisted pregnancies.

Also I think I’m a bit bothered by suddenly being a “special case” again - after years of treatment it was nice to just be a normal pregnant person!

I am scheduled for CTG monitoring at the hospital on Friday so I will ask about the evidence then.

Induction is booked for Monday and realistically I’ll probably go ahead with it - would never forgive myself if I decided to delay and something went wrong. Just need to try to get it out before then!

This is really interesting as I was never told this when pregnant with me DD through IVF. I would have gone to 42 weeks like anyone else but luckily gave birth at 40+2.