Induction at 39 weeks IVF

[JRTfan]

I'm 40 and 34+4 weeks pregnant via IVF. Had midwife appointment today who advised they like to induce IVF pregnancies at 39 weeks. I am obviously keen to do whatever is best for my baby but I'm just not sure about it? Baby has been fine throughout pregnancy on all monitoring.
I have a scan and consultant appointment next week and will discuss then but be good to get some opinions/experiences.

My hospital Trust didn't do this but I'd read many many do, as the dates are ao bang on with ivf. My experience of going well over wasnt good. In my case I went 11 days over before being induced as my blood pressure was rising and my placenta was getting tired. He was huge and back to back by then, I wish I'd been induced earlier. He was never effaced because of his position so id not habe gone into natural labour, and his size meant he couldnt turn so I ended up having a botched induction of 4 days 3 nights waiting for a labour ward room, then 8 hours fruitless labour and finally an emergency section.

Wish I'd had that induction earlier😅 How has your little one been measuring in scans so far?

Worth reading this article, my yoga teachers always say to be informed about what the risks actually are: -

https://www.therealbirthcompanyltd.com/2021/04/28/ivf-and-stillbirth/

@Imisscoffee2021 that sounds horrible you really went through it.
I've only had 1 growth scan so far and baby was measuring a bit small but they weren't concerned (I'm 5ft 1 so was never going to have a massive baby) I have another scan next week to check shes growing. Obviously if there are any signs of issues with the baby then I'll follow their advice.

@Silverfoxlady thank you that's really interesting and kinda confirms my thoughts. It's taken us 12 years to get here and obviously all I want is a healthy baby however that comes about..but I know that with induction there is an increased risk of intervention and emergency C section so it's a difficult one.
I will chat with the consultant next week and keep an open mind.

I would definitely go for an induction. Both the IVF and your age are considered "risk" according to the NHS. It's not like they want to induce you much earlier. 39 weeks not going to be exactly 39 plus induction can take more than one day.

I had an induction and a very positive experience.

Medical professionals aim to deliver your baby safe, I would definitely follow whatever they advise.

@JRTfan I had IVF and was 39 and I was scared by the risks and went for the induction at nearly 40 weeks. Unfortunately my baby wasn't ready so 3 days later I opted for a c section (i was told if I wanted further induction drugs I would need the consultant to agree, but I was so tired and fed up I decided to go for the c section). I still feel like I made the right choice. If you do want to avoid being induced I would check about what monitoring they do and insist on regular scans so that they can check everything is still fine.

@JRTfan and although I technically had an emergency c section. It didn't feel like an emergency. I agreed to it Wednesday morning and it was booked for Thursday morning. I had time to do some extra reading on it and prepare myself mentally

Had ivf and induction. Several days on induction suite later, still there. Then baby got into distress, so EMCS it was.

I had inductions with both my IVF babies, early forties with both and 18 months between pregnancies. Also had chronic hypertension before pregnancy and a couple of other medical issues. First induction at 39 weeks on took 1.5 days start to finish with balloon induction, worked well and not too uncomfortable. Think baby was ready.

2nd time around I went in at 37 weeks as they thought baby was very large and there were a couple of other risk factors. Induction took much longer second time, baby not ready but once it finally started took about 8 hours start to finish. Definitely ask questions as to why, I was advised section or induction before 40 weeks because of my health condition rather than because of IVF.

I was in a similar position five years ago - IVF pregnancy, but I was due around my 40th. I was booked in for an induction in week 39 but a couple of weeks before I felt increasingly upset about it. I had a conversation with a doctor and she agreed that I could wait until my due date to be induced, and I ended up going into labour spontaneously. I did have to have the pessary and the drip because it progressed slowly, but I felt fine about it because I knew the baby was ready to come out - she was actually born on her due date.

It is a really tricky one though as every pregnancy is different.

@JRTfan IVF pregnancy too and induction at week 39 was required due to my age. I spent 4 days, 3 night being induced before my waters were broken at midnight, was in full labour from 7am until 4.30pm where an issue was picked up.
Ended up with an emergency c section due to an infection. All was fine but had to spend another 5 days in hospital with both myself and baby being treated for sepsis.
I would never again opt for an induction and go straight to an arranged c section x

Thanks @SH998 I have heard a lot of stories like yours..I think if baby happy I will go the 40 weeks with extra monitoring and then decide. It doesn't help that I've had 3 friends give birth recently and all had traumatic experiences..none were induced but all were attempted vaginal births 2 ended in EMCS and one was forceps and a big haemorrhage.
My SIL had a planned c section (low lying placenta) and had a great experience..it really does make it difficult!

Like pp said everything I'd read suggested induction led to intervention in overdue ivf and as it played out for me I said to my husband, told you :( wish I'd had an elective. The baby blues hit me harder after the hospital experience tbh.