Hello,
So I saw a consultant today and she said due to me having an IVF pregnancy they’d like to do some extra scans I think at 32 weeks and 36 weeks and she also said they’d induce labour if I got to my due date without going into labour. It’s panicked me a bit and now I’m worried they’re going to expect something to go wrong and now I’m a bit on edge. Anyone else had this?
I am just having extra midwife appointments in my 3rd trimester due to it being an IVF pregnancy as my midwife said IVF babies tend to come early no extra scans. The level of care differs massively from area to area. I wouldn't worry if I was you if something was wrong they would tell you. Just focus on the fact you get to see your baby at those extra scans
Hi Ziggy,
I have extra sxans at 32 and 36w (although think this is more due to age ratherr than the fact it's ivf) and they won't let me go padt 40w+4 days. Tgey would then want to induce me.
I think it varies massively between hospitals
Hey lovely,
How old are you?
Different hospitals have different guidelines for IVF pregnancies. Mine treats you no differently to a non-ivf pregnancy if you have no other risk factors and it’s a well regarded NHS maternity hospital. Both of my pregnancies were low risk and had natural mid-wife led births. My son I went 7 days overdue with before going into labour naturally. There is no reason for you to be worried, especially if you’re only under a consultant because you have had IVF.
One thing I’ve learnt along the way is you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. It’s your body, your baby so if you don’t want to be induced, you don’t have to be. Maybe ask for more information on why they would recommend it so you feel comfortable with the decision?
Xx
hi I was exactly the same.
Scans at 32 and 36 wks. They also booked my induction in too I got to pick a date lol so went 2 days overdue didn’t need it as little one arrived on their due date.
It’s just procedure for ivf pregnancies in some areas. All will be fine and it’s just preparation just in case to make sure they have all bases covered, try not to worry and enjoy what you have left. 💕💕
heya,
I had a phone call today with a consultant as they wanted to discuss how I might give birth. It was because it’s an IVF pregnancy but also because of severe endometriosis and bowel involvement. I’ve got to see them at 32 weeks and they said that I can choose when I’d like to give birth between 39 - 41 weeks. They have said that for me because of the bowel that a vaginal delivery would be best but obviously this might not go to plan. I think they will just check that everything is going ok at your extra scans and I’m sure they don’t think anything will go wrong and it’s probably just a precaution. Have you had any previous surgeries? Hope your pregnancy is going ok xx
I just had this last week - I am not IVF, but I am 42 and they say the same to me - extra scans and induction.
It also worried me - I think I posted the same message a few days ago.
I think it varies from area to area and hospital to hospital. I didn't have my baby in the UK so can't really advise, but I wanted to share how mine worked as it might be an option for you. The hospital wouldn't let me go past 41 weeks and after 40 weeks I attended as an outpatient every other day for monitoring. It was a very smooth pregnancy with no risk factors except age (39). You don't have to accept an induction and, frankly, I would want to avoid it unless there's some problem.
FYI I was induced at 40+5 as amniotic fluid was leaking. Pessary 4 times and NOTHING happened. So I requested a c section. It wasn't an emergency, baby was monitored and doing fine, so in the end, although it was the opposite of what I had wanted, it was a positive experience because I felt my wishes were respected. I think that's the most important thing. So discuss what you'd prefer with your birthing partner beforehand so they can advocate for you while you're at your most vulnerable. Good luck xxx
I was induced both times and had extra scans and was also consultant led. I know there has been worries over the placenta not working as well after due date (unsure how long after) and also if babe is on the larger side they wouldn't want them to get stuck, there could be a number of reasons dependant on your pregnancy. With the extra monitoring they will just do what they think is best for you and baby. For me, they didn't want baby to keep getting bigger.
By the time you get to those last few weeks, you'll probably be quite happy if they want to get babe out any quicker 😂 I requested a couple of sweeps to get things going both times and was more than happy for the induction by that point 😂
I had 1 pessery with our first, had my waters broke and had to have the drip. I wanted to avoid an induction with our second as my first labour wasn't great, no pain relief worked and so I wanted to use water for pain relief which I wouldn't be able to if I had the drip. Our second babe was measuring bigger than our first on scans (although he ended up actually being smaller) so we were induced to avoid him getting stuck, and by that point I'd had enough. I had 2 pesseries (I requested the 2nd as I wanted to avoid the drip), however nothing much happen so I then had my waters broke and also had to have the drip. Epidural actually worked this time and labour was soooo different, I'd do it all again.
I was told the same. Our OB said the placenta starts to deteriorate around 42 weeks in a non IVF pregnancy, hence them not wanting anyone to go beyond that date, but that there is evidence that in IVF pregnancies that starts a little earlier at 40 weeks so mine induce at that point. I doubt there’s a lot of evidence or all hospitals would do it but I’m of the better safe than sorry mindset!
Ziggy - it’s nothing to worry about, I’d lean into it! I know the early scans are scary but after 30 weeks I found I could finally relax and it’s lovely seeing them at that stage and I found it reassuring to know we were being closely monitored xx
I had extra scans but only due to my age-IVF isn’t considered a risk for anything in my area (except v recently gestational diabetes). I would have been induced I think (again age) but opted for ECS at 39 weeks. Don’t let these things scare you-they are just taking an abundance of caution Xx
hmmm I don’t want to pry but is it to do with your age? 🙄 I was so annoyed that they do anything because of age and not your health at the time but they didn’t want me to go past 40 weeks. It was my “choice” although I went in for induction at 40+6 and nothing past that point felt like a choice. Our hospital do a scan at 36 weeks as standard. So I had that but not at 32. They didn’t treat me differently due to ivf at all but all hospitals are different and I’m sure it’s just because they’re taking extra care. You will have more piece of mind with extra scans 😊 so think of it as good rather than bad.
i have been put under consultant led care due to 44 years and ivf pregnancy. So far pregnancy has been normal and I have my 20 week scan today. The consultant has also recommended that I get extra scans and a c-section just due to these factors so baby arrives in a more controlled environment in case anything goes wrong. I haven't decided regarding the c section yet.
I discussed induction with my midwife yesterday as when I had the appointment with the consultant for my birth plan she mentioned usually IVF pregnancy will be induced. I’m pro home birthing for many reasons (higher level of care, much shorter labour, more control…) so I was not pleased to hear about induction. My midwife explained me yesterday that there is a study saying that women have more risk to have a still born baby if they passed their due date and it is slightly higher for IVF pregnancy (like 1 in 1000). Therefore some places got used to offer induction as standard for IVF from 38 weeks (with study showing that induction that early would lead to c-section, or use of ventouse, forceps on the baby…as he/she is just not ready nor is your body).
In a way it reminds me how years ago they would do episiotomy on every one just in case…
You’re the one giving birth and you should feel happy about your birth plan. Ask questions to your consultants/midwife on the choice they are making for you and what push them to do so, ask to see the studies motivating them…
I have some amazing exemple of induction around me and some less impressive ones. So I wouldn’t discourage anyone to do it, however I think the most important is to be happy and confident about our birth plans and the people & place we will give birth with.
hey. I’m having extra scans at 36 and 40 and have been told I’ll be induced at week 39-40. Apparently a frozen transfer changes your placenta, but one thing I’ve been learning at my Prenatal sessions is to ask all the questions, which I will be doing at my 36 week appt. You can’t be forced into anything so get all the info and do what feels right!
hi hun, sounds like it varies massively depending which NHS trust you are with. I am IVF, 34 years old and otherwise straight forward pregnancy and they never treated me any differently than a normal pregnancy. Never seen a consultant either. Just midwife’s and scheduled to give birth in a midwife led unit unless medically my situation changes.
Definitely agree with what others have said, you are free to choose what you want to do and look up the ‘Brain’ acronym as it will help to ask the right questions, be correctly informed and then make the best decision. It will likely all depend on your age, low or high risk of the pregnancy, underlying health conditions of you and the baby etc. Of course if there is a medical reason for induction or any intervention than you should consider it. First I would ask for the reason behind their recommendation. Is it medically advised because of health reasons? Or just because it is time or convenience or just a guideline without clear evidence to back it up? That might help to understand why and choose what is best for you and your baby to do. The extra scans might just be pre caution and might help to pick up issue’s early on and might actually help to make the best decision for your birth plan. Overall I didn’t think IVF on its own is any higher risk. It all depends on your medical history etc. Good luck hun!
One thing I wanted to follow up on, or add my voice to the other replys....
During the labour or pre labour with my 1st child I did a lot of things like sweeps, painful examinations during a very slow induction that I now regret being more assertive and refusing.
If I am induced this time I want a full induction at the delivery suite as the gentle induction didn't work for me sadly and meant my labour took ages.
No sweeps for me!
It does work quickly for some lucky people!😆
hello! I’m having extra scans and they are wanting to induce at 40 weeks, solely due to it being IVF (not my age). You of course have the right to turn down an induction. When I had my daughter I went to 40+4, hoping for natural labour but ended up being induced. Xx
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