IVF pregnancy and induction at 38 weeks

[Lrv1987]

Hi guys-
Hoping someone will have some advice for me...

I'm pregnant with an ivf baby- nearly 37 weeks and my consultant has said they like to induce ivf pregnancies at 38/39 weeks- but didn't really say why- I said I didn't want to be induced so he said they'd do a stretch and sweep instead

Does anyone know why they would want to induce ? Baby is total normal- pregnancy normal- no complications- so I'm super confused .....

I've been told the same. I was told the placenta often fails after 40wks with IVF pregnancies so they prefer to induce 39-40wks. My pregnancy has been fine too, I'm 29 weeks. I would love to try for a natural birth after being prodded and drugged up for so long doing IVF. I'm just hoping I go into labour before needing an induction, I'll probably try a few sweeps first.

Yes agree with the placenta issue. That is why I would have not been allowed to get to 40 weeks. I actually had c section at 38 due to low pap A and breech.

I’m 41, first baby, also IVF. Was told I’m high risk because of those reasons and that I should be induced.
I too questioned their reasoning and eventually was told that IVF babies can be small so it’s safer to get them out and also the placenta can start to fail at 40 weeks which is why they err on the side of caution.
The risk however is still incredibly small, something like 0.75% compared to 0.05% for non-IVF babies so it’s tiny.
I pushed back as I didn’t want to be forced into a birth plan I wasn’t comfortable with. They can’t make you do anything, only advise you.
My baby is measuring perfectly, blood flow to the placenta is fine, and I still have plenty of movement every day (plus my bp etc is all good) so they’re happy for me to carry on as I am and hopefully have a natural birth.
I’m having sweeps this week and do have an induction booked, just in case, but that’s for a week after my due date. Only if I suddenly get reduced movement will they insist on me coming in sooner.
Good luck.

Hi. Disappointing that your consultant didn’t explain why they were suggesting induction!
Where I am, delivery is offered in IVF pregnancy at 39-40 weeks usually. This is due to an increased risk of stillbirth. There’s research to say that even if everything else is normal (normal scans, movements, well mother etc), the risk is about 2-3x the risk of an equivalent pregnancy which was conceived without IVF. That sounds super alarming but it’s overall still very low numbers - risk goes up from something like 1/1000 to 3/1000, and increases a little as the weeks go on.
Each extra risk factor adds a little to the overall risk (ie if you’re over 40 that will add a little, if you have other medical problems etc etc). Still very small overall risk tho.
As @Pineapplebaby says, you need to be comfortable with your birth plan, so it’s all about how you individually look at risk, what you think of the idea of induction, how you want your birth to go.
Worth mentioning that there’s pretty good evidence (google ARRIVE trial) showing that in otherwise low risk women, induction at 39 weeks decreases risk of Caesarean section, with risk of instrumental delivery remaining about the same. There are loads of threads about induction process and heaps of extra info out there if you need it. Good luck, and congrats in advance - not long now either way!!

I was induced at 39 weeks because both IVF and my age (43) were risk factors for the placenta potentially having issues if left too long. That was pretty much suggested from my booking appointment onwards, so I had plenty of time to get to the idea.

I'm also ivf aged 43, and had pre existing high blood pressure. All of these are risk factors for increased risk of placental failure, pre eclampsia and stillbirth. I had a sweep today at 37+6 and will have another next week, if they don't work then I'll be induced at 39 weeks. The individual risks were small but each added up and I just want baby to arrive and for us both to be safe. Everything was clearly explained, I'm under consultant care and they've been really clear and helpful

I have an IVf pregnancy and have friends at other hospitals who have had IVF pregnancy and have been under pressure from doctors to induce Before 40 weeks. Interestingly where I am -UCLH they don’t induce early for IVF pregnancies. I find it fascinating how different it is at different hospitals. Although I have a big baby so may now be under pressure to be induced at 40 weeks. Good luck.

St. George’s in SW London do not induce early for IVF.

Thanks everyone- that's massively helpful.
It's such a minefield and I left the appointment so confused!

I'm in the same boat. 37 weeks today with ivf baby. My hospital suggest induction at 40 weeks for ivf babies but have yet to give me the details behind this. My understanding is it is due to an increased risk of stillbirth due to placenta failing but the risks are still very low and I believe the evidence for this not that categorical (eg the increase in stillbirth may be due to complicating factors like age and underlying issues of those having ivf). I've so far declined to book induction- if there is a strong reason and risk to baby I will do it - but at the moment I hsvent heard enough to think it is necessary and worth the potential complications of induction. Going to ask if I can have more scans and monitoring from 40 weeks with induction at 41 if needed.