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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

40 or 41 weeks section?

14 replies

Ididivfama · 29/12/2023 22:23

I’m going for a vbac but want another section if overdue. I was told by midwife’s that it’ll be from 41 weeks which I was initially fine with, but since then I’ve been reading lots of research that it should be by 40 weeks for a vbac as risk of stillbirth goes up AND vbac becomes less successful after 40 weeks. Lots of countries agree with this so I’m worried the nhs is just behind? It’s also a very wanted ivf baby and according to this research, ivf also increases risk of stillbirth (but again nhs near me didn’t seem fussed by this).

Has anyone else had any experience of this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ididivfama · 29/12/2023 22:24

I wonder if I should push the section to week 40

OP posts:
Whatelsecouldibecalled · 29/12/2023 22:26

I'm surprised they are agreeing to going over. My hospital was induction in due date (they wanted 39 weeks but I pushed back) with my ivf pregnancy as there is some small old research suggesting placental failure after term and obviously with ivf your dates are a cert. You haven't got a two week window.

Original poster
Ididivfama · 29/12/2023 22:28

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 29/12/2023 22:26

I'm surprised they are agreeing to going over. My hospital was induction in due date (they wanted 39 weeks but I pushed back) with my ivf pregnancy as there is some small old research suggesting placental failure after term and obviously with ivf your dates are a cert. You haven't got a two week window.

That’s exactly what I was thinking. The midwife told me the research was outdated and said it was overall increase risk of stillbirth, not necessarily over 40 weeks. But tbh in my eyes any risk is still a risk as long as the baby’s in there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ididivfama · 29/12/2023 22:49

Anyone else with an ivf pregnancy?

OP posts:
fermata · 29/12/2023 23:10

Similar here, ivf pregnancy. I asked my midwife about the placenta research and they said they treat ivf pregnancy as any other pregnancy... my hospital also advise induction at 40+5, for everyone, which I wanted to avoid.
My plan was to give birth naturally but go for cesearian if the baby is late (as she was already a big baby)
Eventually had a planned cesearian at 40+2

Original poster
Ididivfama · 29/12/2023 23:12

fermata · 29/12/2023 23:10

Similar here, ivf pregnancy. I asked my midwife about the placenta research and they said they treat ivf pregnancy as any other pregnancy... my hospital also advise induction at 40+5, for everyone, which I wanted to avoid.
My plan was to give birth naturally but go for cesearian if the baby is late (as she was already a big baby)
Eventually had a planned cesearian at 40+2

Thanks this is good to know. When did it get booked in? Did you have a choice of dates? I hope it all worked out well for you.

OP posts:
SH998 · 30/12/2023 03:25

Mines an IVF pregnancy too and I was told I’ll be induced at 39 weeks, they didn’t mention the reason being due to IVF but due to my age (I’m 40), apparently there’s a risk the placenta wouldn’t hold out as well in women over 40.

MariaVT65 · 30/12/2023 03:40

I would recommend having it at 40 weeks, not 41. The nearer you get to 42 weeks, the higher the risk your placenta will stop fully functioning. (This happened to me).

I believe this should be your choice about when you feel comfortable about attempting a VBAC so it’s a totally reasonable request to agree you will not be attempting it after a certain date. It’s only going to make you worry.

nc321152 · 30/12/2023 03:48

I tried for VBAC but ended up with a section at 40+4. Not an ivf pregnancy but I was 39 so borderline 'high risk'. NHS were quite blasé about the whole thing as I recall. Ultimately it's your choice so if you want a section at 40 weeks or earlier, push for it.

PurpleOrchid42 · 30/12/2023 04:19

I'm a scaredy cat, and couldn't cope with knowing my decision might be the difference between life or death for my baby, so I'd definitely opt for the section at 40w, if it were me.

fermata · 30/12/2023 14:32

@Ididivfama all good, little one is nearly 1 year old now :)
I didn't have much choice of the date - I only said I want to wait till 40 weeks but not much longer, due to the placenta research that was mentioned here. I decided when I was 37 weeks, so quite late - but mainly because I was told to expect quite a big baby.
From time perspective I'm super happy with my decision

RidingMyBike · 30/12/2023 15:56

I'd go for 40 weeks because of the risk. I had mine (not IVF) at 38 weeks at the placenta was likely to deteriorate early and I wasn't prepared to risk it any further, having had a couple of friends have stillbirths.

Also be aware that you might get bumped by emergencies coming in so could end up a few days later than planned, which you really don't want at 41 weeks!

Original poster
Ididivfama · 30/12/2023 17:54

RidingMyBike · 30/12/2023 15:56

I'd go for 40 weeks because of the risk. I had mine (not IVF) at 38 weeks at the placenta was likely to deteriorate early and I wasn't prepared to risk it any further, having had a couple of friends have stillbirths.

Also be aware that you might get bumped by emergencies coming in so could end up a few days later than planned, which you really don't want at 41 weeks!

How did you know about your placenta?

OP posts:
RidingMyBike · 30/12/2023 18:21

I was having weekly growth scans and they'd check the blood flow in the placenta each time.

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