IVF pregnancy- consultant recommends induction

[newmama89]

Hi ladies, I'm 33 weeks with my first pregnancy and have my next appointment with the consultant next week. At my first appointment with him he suggest I am induced on my due date. Has anyone else had this suggested to them? I'm unsure as what to do, I'll obviously ask him more questions regarding it next week, but was wondering what people's thoughts were and if they were told this too. Thank you so much 😊

I haven't had an IVF pregnancy but as far as I'm aware that's standard. Risks are higher if you go over compare with a natural conception.

IVF pregnancy here!!!

As far as I was aware (and was standard practice in 2018 when I had mine) was that there are no differences between a normal pregnancy and an IVF one in terms of risk factors

IVF alone isn’t a risk factor during labour and late pregnancy - I was specifically told that if my pregnancy was healthy I’d be treated like any other low risk pregnancy

Obviously if you’ve got other normal pregnancy risk factors that make induction a preferred route then I’d understand that but the IVF itself doesn’t count towards that

There is more danger of the placenta deteriorating with an IVF pregnancy that goes over due date so its standard practise for most trusts to induce at some point between 38 and 40 weeks

It varies on area but my area indices ivf at 41 weeks

There has been a study that suggests increased complications in ivf pregnancies if allowed to go overdue

Remember that non ivf pregnancies no one can ever be sure in exact dates! Ivf pregnancies are v exact.... anything over 37 weeks is full term

Is IVF the only reason he has suggested it? Are you anxious or have any other risk factors? My pregnancies have all been ivf I was allowed to go two weeks overdue first time and was induced the second time for other reasons (preeclampsia).

@newmama89 I’m currently 24 weeks pregnant having conceived via ICSI and I’ve also been told I won’t be allowed to go past my EDD. This is my second pregnancy, first was natural conception and DS was 2 weeks late.

It seems from our IVF graduates chat that most of us who have had consultant appointments have been told we won’t be allowed to go over due.

Yes, I had this in my first ivf pregnancy in 2018, but it came from the midwife not the consultant. All the way through she said they would induce me at 40 weeks due to it being ivf so I was all prepared for that. When I then got close to 40 weeks it was never mentioned again and in the end I was induced at 40+11, just like a normal pregnancy. It was all a bit annoying!

I’m now 20 wks pregnant, again via ivf, and I had a call from a consultant this morning to discuss birth options. She specifically said ivf is not a reason to induce on the due day, however I’m now 40 so that is a reason! But of course I can refuse

• it’s only a recommendation at the end of the day.

Seems like the guidance may vary by area. I'm currently pregnant with an icsi baby and am being treated as low risk. There has been no mention of anything like induction ( or anything else) as a result of this being an ivf baby.

If your consultant is suggesting inducing you i personally would ask for a c-section instead.

I recognise that they aren’t for everyone but I had a wonderful c section experience and would absolutely opt for one again. Many trusts just don’t offer one as an option without you specifically asking.

I was induced at 39 weeks because of the combination of having IVF, and being a bit older (43) - both risk factors for placenta problems if left to go too long. That was the plan from my booking appointment onwards.

Thank you so much ladies. The consultant suggested induction solely based on the fact that it is an ivf pregnancy. I wasn't aware that this could mean c section, I just thought pessary or drip etc. Thank you all

@Twickerhun I'm not anxious no, and I can't think of any reason why I'd be classed as high risk. I did however end up on early labour ward with the babies heartbeat being over 200 last week. So I assume that could no be a contributing factor? I'm hoping to give birth at UHCW Lucina birthing centre, but again I need to ask if I'm medium or high risk as they only take low risk!

Induction does not mean c section. They will try pessary/gel/drip first. If none of that works it will end in c section

@PrayingandHoping oh good! Didn't want to be faced with that decision at this moment in time 😊

@PrayingandHoping oh good! Didn't want to be faced with that decision at this moment in time 😊

I was told that I wouldn’t be allowed to go over 41 weeks with my ivf pregnancy due to some research relating to the placenta failing.
Dd decided to evict herself at 34 weeks so never made it that far.

I've never heard of any extra risk in an ivf pregnancy of the placenta failing, I've had four ivf pregnancies and the first one they offered me induction which I refused, and delivered at 41weeks
I think there is still an assumption that ivf pregnancies are "special" and that they're doing you a favour whereas after all my trouble conceiving in the most unnatural way I was really keen to have as normal a birth as possible
Would be interested to read that research if anyone can link it

IVF pregnancy here and yep - have been told by consultant induced 38/39 weekS. She said recent research suggests placenta in an IVF pregnancy behaves two weeks behind ...

Sorry - I mean two weeks ahead

@MissSmiley I had my baby last year and the consultant told me about research that had been done which showed increased risk about going overdue. I don't know how recent it was, could have been very recent, I never asked

@Fredsgirl19 ahh interesting!! Never knew that. Will be intriguing to see what my consultant says when I ask 😊

Ivf pregnancy and was originally told the same but now overdue and can't get an appointment for a sweep let alone an induction! They seem to have completely changed their minds. They now say 41+5. I'm 36. A bit annoying to be honest but I would prefer not to be induced if possible.

I'm nearly 37 weeks and was also told they prefer to induce 39-40wks, I was really gutted but had since 20wks to think about it as ultimately it's my choice. I have no other risk factors and had a very straight forward pregnancy. I have gone around in circles trying to decide to go for the induction or not. I so desperately wanted a natural birth but I have a booked an induction for my due date as very the slight stillbirth increase still freaks me out. I'll be doing everything possible to encourage going into labour before the induction, then hoping I won't need the drip.

@LillyLeaf I have the exact same fears!! I'll be doing the same I think. Good luck!

@LillyLeaf sent that too soon 🤦🏻‍♀️ good luck! I hope you go into labour before induction ☺️