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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Advice appreciated. IVF baby.

53 replies

TheFirstMrsDV · 28/07/2021 20:08

Hi.
I am a long term member of MN but haven't posted for years.
My daughter's best friend is about 34 weeks pregnant (her being my daughter's bf is relevant if you know my back story)

This is an ivf baby. Her chances of getting pregnant and staying pregnant were very low. To be honest I don''t think any of us thought she would go to term. She is trying to stay as calm as possible but its a difficult pregnancy. I think she is doing brilliantly in the circumstances.
She is getting confusing messages about how long she will be allowed to go over her due date.
She was told by her IVF hospital that she wouldn't be allowed to go over. She was likely to be induced slight early if anything.
Her birthing hospital (not a specialist hospital) is bemused at this and said as she is young (29) it won't make any difference that its an IVF baby.
She was told yesterday that the baby is a bit small.
Her mum never went to term with her pregnancies. So they don't have family experience of 'normal' birth.
I have no experience of IVF or caesarean or inducing. I had my four birth children more or less on time with no intervention.

Does anyone have any advice to give?

OP posts:

PearlJamButties · 28/07/2021 20:15

I've have 3 DC, all via IVF and was told that after your 7 week scan, its just a normal pregnancy.

I haven't heard of anyone being treated different once they are actually pregnant, unless it was for a separate condition.

Admittedly, my last personal experience was over 8 years ago, so it is possible things could have changed.

Does she have anything that needs to be considered?

Iggi999 · 28/07/2021 20:17

I think that once they are at term they are better out than in. I worry about still birth rates increasing when the baby is overdue. (I have no medical background just to be clear).
I didn't have ivf but had recurrent miscarriages and I know a lot of women who did have a successful pregnancy in this situation opted for c sections - not for medical reasons as such but to be more in control and minimise risk.
(OP you don't know me at all but I was used to seeing you post over the years and wondered if you were ok. Glad to see you back, even temporarily)

Cocomade · 28/07/2021 20:21

Hi,
I had an IVF pregnancy, had a consultant app to discuss birth etc.
I wasn't allowed to go over 40 weeks. I could be induced at 39 or 40.
I had a straight forward pregnancy.

I did question this as I had no clue it was a thing but I was told giving what we have went through they like to get them out due date latest as it reduces the risk of still birth and giving majority of women have anxiety through pregnancy it can help reduce stress.

Cocomade · 28/07/2021 20:24

Just to add, I would get her to speak to her MW and tell her what her IVF clinic said and see if she can get her an app/booked in.
Is she having another growth scan? She can bring it up then.

Hopeful16 · 28/07/2021 20:26

I have had 2 ivf babies one came naturally a little early and my second was induced at full term. I think advice is very different depending on who you speak to. One specialist told me that I needed to be induced as the risk of stillbirth increased and the placenta didn't last like a "natural" pregnancy and another told me that a baby is a baby once your actually pregnant.
I went with being induced at full term as I didn't want to take any risks and was more than ready by that point. Baby wasn't - he was far too comfy and it ended up a tricky birth. All was well in the end though.

MGee123 · 28/07/2021 20:26

If her pregnancy has been uncomplicated (other than being IVF), given her age there is no reason for her not to be treated the same as any other pregnancy ie fine to go overdue within the usual timeframes. I am currently 38 weeks with an IVF pregnancy and have had the same conversation with my midwife who said it only applies if there have been other issues with the pregnancy or if the woman is older, but then they would be the determining factors really rather than it being an IVF pregnancy. If the clinicians caring for her are happy with things I would try to take confidence in that and reassure her she's in good hands. Having made it to 34 weeks it is overwhelmingly likely she will have a healthy baby in her arms soon 😀

RosemaryRosemary · 28/07/2021 20:27

I have an ivf pregnancy and was also told I won’t be allowed to go past my due date. Not sure why but will ask at next appointment

RosemaryRosemary · 28/07/2021 20:29

I think midwife mentioned something about risk of placenta failure higher after 40 weeks?

Cocomade · 28/07/2021 20:29

@RosemaryRosemary

I think midwife mentioned something about risk of placenta failure higher after 40 weeks?

Yeah and still birth risk.

Cocomade · 28/07/2021 20:30

Just to add, again 😂
I was 29 at the time and had a healthy pregnancy.
It must depend on your trust but majority seem to have been told the same thing.

Lifeandlemons · 28/07/2021 20:30

I'm in the third trimester of my second IVF pregnancy. Automatically classed as high risk due to nature of conception. Not allowed to go beyond 40 weeks. There is a higher risk of placenta failure after that. Ideally would be a c section at 39 to be super careful. This is the advice I'm following for the second time.

Lockdownbear · 28/07/2021 20:33

Some Consultants see fertility babies as a little more 'special' than naturally conceived babies. They want to minimise risk at the end and get them out ASAP.

Original poster

TheFirstMrsDV · 28/07/2021 20:46

@PearlJamButties one of the reasons she was told pregnancy would be difficult was the risk of her womb lining not being thick enough. Would that make a difference one she got pregnant and managed to get through the first trimester?

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Original poster

TheFirstMrsDV · 28/07/2021 20:47

@Iggi999 thank you! I am fine. I won't say things have been straightforward but I am still here and getting on.

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Original poster

TheFirstMrsDV · 28/07/2021 20:50

Thank you to everyone who has shared their experience. I knew MN would be helpful. It seems that the general consensus is that IVF pregnancies shouldn't go past 40 weeks but even that isn't everyone's experience.
Poor girl, no wonder she is getting in a bit of a tizz. I know she is worried but she has been trying so hard to keep calm and normal. Its been a tough road to get where she is. I just want it all to be ok.

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MuchTooTired · 28/07/2021 20:54

My DTs are ivf babies, and even without there being two of them I was classed as high risk. They had said they wouldn’t let me get past full term although I never asked why. I was on progesterone and oestrogen until 12-16 weeks to help support my pregnancy before tapering odd once the placenta kicked in.

MGee123 · 28/07/2021 20:59

I don't think that is the general consensus, just the consensus of those who have replied! It really does depend on individual factors and the clinicians caring for your daughters friend are best placed to advise on her personal situation. Remember many having IVF will be older and therefore higher risk pregnancies anyway, which will influence decision making. I would really encourage her to have confidence in the team looking after her rather than introducing any concern.

TheApprentice · 28/07/2021 21:00

Hello. I'm a long time lurker and occasional poster. So pleased to "see" you as you are/were one of my favourite posters.

DS1 is an IVF baby. I would echo what a previous poster said about some medical people taking extra care over IVF pregnancies...not because they aren't normal pregnancies but because there is an awareness of how hard its been to get pregnant so they are " special" pregnancies in that sense. For example I started bleeding slightly at 20 weeks and my midwife arranged a scan...I heard her say on the phone to the hospital " this is an IVF pregnancy."

As regards womb lining...I'm not sure how important it is after implementation, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along. However some of the drugs you are given during IVF treatment help to thicken your womb lining anyway.

All the best MrsDV xx

Quietcrown · 28/07/2021 21:02

I had IVF and was told I would be induced at 40 weeks if didn't go into labour before. I'm in Scotland if that makes a difference.

Missmonkeypenny · 28/07/2021 21:05

I had IVF at 25 and was told I was the same as rvery other pregnant person once you've had your viability scan. Midwife led care, not Hugh risk. I think it varies trust to trust, person to person.

I was induced at 38 weeks but that was for reasons unrelated to IVF.

glasshalfsomething · 28/07/2021 21:09

I had IVF and was induced at 41+4! Still took two more days before an emergency CS!

It was treated as a straightforward pregnancy albeit consultant led as I was ‘geriatric’!

Original poster

TheFirstMrsDV · 28/07/2021 21:15

@MGee123 not introducing concern. Rather the opposite. She is confused because of mixed messages from different hospitals. I am very aware of anxiety around pregnancy due to personal experiences so have always been very much 'listen to the professionals but ask questions if you are unsure what they mean'
I am asking here because I don't have a clue about IVF and her own mum doesn't have a clue about this stage of pregnancy and non emergency births.

Its helpful to know that people have been given different advice.

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Blondiecub0109 · 28/07/2021 21:16

I think the NICE guidelines did or do say to consider induction from 36 (!) weeks with ivf and in my first preg I was told this by 2 community midwives.

When I spoke to the consultant at around 28 weeks he looked bemused and said ‘we don’t have time for social inductions’. AFAIK it’s a much more nuanced approach looking at why you needed ivf, your general health, other factors in the pregnancy. As PP has said, I was also told there is an air of extra cautiousness about ivf pregnancies. I ended up having an ELCS with DS due to breech but was cleared to go to MLU if he did turn in time. Had an ELCS with DD for reasons unrelated to ivf.

Original poster

TheFirstMrsDV · 28/07/2021 21:18

@TheApprentice thank you so much. What a lovely thing to say.

Its interesting about the special care. I think some midwives have been wonderful and understanding and other medics not so much. She has had a lot of hospital contact due to UTI, mini panics etc on top of the usual appointments. She has therefore met a lot of different HCPs along the way. Some clearly nicer to her than others.

I think we all just want this precious baby out and safe among its adoring grannies and honorary granny

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Original poster

TheFirstMrsDV · 28/07/2021 21:21

I really do appreciate you all being so generous with your experiences.

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