Do they let IVF/ISCI pregnancies go to 40 weeks?

[StarsAllAround]

I've been doing NCT classes and the women running them keeps saying that they will be offering to induce me soon as they don't allow IVF pregnancies get to 40 weeks. My midwife has not mentioned this at all we have an appointment tomorrow so will ask then. As I'm 37+2 I would of thought it would of discussed with me already if this is the case. So just wondering if anyone else has been told they can't go to 40 weeks?

[ZiggyandBC]

Hey! My consultant vaguely said they don’t like IVF pregnancies to go over 40 weeks but nothing about not getting to 40 weeks. I think they’d just be more inclined to induce you if you haven’t gone into labour by 40 weeks, hope this helps xx

[Solly-44]

Hi,

My clinic doesn’t let fertility treatment pregnancies go past 40 weeks but I was told very early on that they’d want to induce me. As you’re so far along and they haven’t mentioned it perhaps yours doesn’t? It does vary - my friend had her IVF baby in a different hospital (same CCG) and they were happy to let her go overdue.

Loads of luck, so close now! Xx

[Savvy_teapot]

I had a phone call with a doctor about this today. They said they might induce at 39 weeks. They asked what I thought? I said I am feeling healthy and well at 32 weeks and they said as I am 38 years old they may be less keen to go straight to inducement. I think they would if I was older but don't know why. They said they wouldn't book anything in now but will see how rest of pregnancy goes. And maybe discuss again at another point. Good to see what other people say about this.

[Rain415]

Hi, my consultant didn't want me to go over 40 weeks due to ivf. I did ask why and she said some hospitals allow it but other like mine prefer not to go over. I was scheduled for an induction at 40 +1 but I think she was more concerned by how big baby was rather than ivf. X

[Idril]

Hi, I haven't heard of that at all, they induce me actually at 40+6 but because of gestational diabetes, they never mentioned IVF. So I think if you are healthy, no reason to induce before the 42 weeks I guess !

[sj482]

I have been told offered an in my 39th week. They can’t recommend it but I was told to strongly consider the offer! X

[Purple276]

Congrats on getting to 37 weeks. I think it depends on the hospital and consultant. Mine has said due to IVF, age (40+) and donor eggs they would look to induce if haven't given birth by 40 weeks. I suspect I may be able to discuss as he said ultimately was our choice but they would strongly recommend. Plus if any other complications like baby big etc that might impact the decision. Hope that helps and good luck xx

[Zeebee14]

I had growth scans at 32, 35 and 38 weeks and each of these was followed by a consultant chat. They explained that there is a slight increased risk of stillbirth by going over 40 weeks, that risk is less around 0.5% depending on if there are any other risk factors. For me being over 40 was the only other factor otherwise it was a healthy pregnancy.

But at the end of the day it’s your decision and they can’t force you. All they can do us tell you the facts and let you decide what to do.

We made the choice to be induced at 40+2 and she was born at 40+5 perfectly healthy and less than her estimated weight.

[ChelWestie]

I have also been told they won’t let me go beyond 40weeks because of IVF and my age 40+

But nothing about bringing it forward due to IVF just that they won’t go beyond official due date

[Positivechangeplease]

this is news to me, although it might just be in your area or your hospital that they do this. Once I was admitted into hospital care they didn’t really care that I was ivf - and generally forgot about it. They did want to induce me at 40 weeks but this was because of my age (and then GDM) but they couldn’t force me to. It’s your choice and I balanced risk and decided to go with it at 40+6

[Missfh]

First off, the info around induction can be misleading from the NHS, I can highly recommend reading the book "Inducing Labour" by Sara Wickham just to really get acquainted with the facts so that you can have an informed discussion with your consultant and make a decision you're comfortable with.

Second, the concept of "they won't let me go past 40 weeks" doesn't exist in the UK care model. Don't be fooled into thinking you don't have a choice, ultimately the decision on whether to be induced is yours, nobody can force this.

Of course, ultimately we want the same as the consultant - a healthy baby - however consultants can be very trigger happy with interventions and the data doesn't always completely explain why. Always question it and do your own research where possible!

I'm 43 and have done IVF, I had a consultant appointment where she explained they'd want to induce me at 40 weeks. I asked what the alternatives were and she said that I could come into the day unit every other day for monitoring from 40 weeks; if heartbeat is healthy and shows no signs of slowing then that's a strong indicator that placenta is working 100% and that no reason to worry, so that is my plan. If monitoring shows baby might be struggling, I will obviously then reassess whether induction is the right choice.

Best of luck X

[Jane8412]

Depends on the hospital I think! My hospital offered induction at 39 weeks for IVF pregnancies but it was just an offer. Didn't seem like they were pushing it. I wasn't keen on being induced unless it was for an actual medical reason or the baby was in distress. In the end my waters broke at 36+2 so I didn't have to make the decision as my son was impatient to enter the world.

Sending you all the luck for your last few weeks of pregnancy xxx

[AuroraXen]

Hi. Indeed, I'd be surprised if that's a policy in your Trust area, given that nobody has mentioned it to you. Maybe it IS just different policy in different places. I'm not sure about IVF pregnancies and the risk, but I can add a bit from an 'age' perspective. I've always understood that the advice if you're over 40 is that it's best not to go over term. Advice was published some time ago by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists saying older mums-to-be should be offered induct to prevent them going over, to reduce the chance of problems.

NICE issued guidance about Induction in 2021 (nice.org.uk/news/article/ni... ) and this includes the following:

"The new guidance also recommends considering induction of labour from 39+0 weeks in women with otherwise uncomplicated single pregnancies but who are at higher risk of complications associated with continued pregnancy – for example, a BMI of 30 or above, maternal age of 35 or above, or women from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, or after assisted conception." (this quote is from a Tommy's page about it tommys.org/about-us/news-vi...

Anyway, I haven't researched it all thoroughly yet, still have a way to go 🤞 But based on this guidance I told my consultant I don't want to be allowed to go over 40 weeks (as much as I don't like the idea of being induced).

xx

[Solly-44 in reply to AuroraXen]

I agree. My consultant was clear that the increase in risk is very small, but that evidence suggests it is there from 40 weeks as opposed to the 41-42 weeks for ‘standard’ low risk pregnancies. I’m seriously risk adverse when it comes to pregnancies so much as no one likes the idea of being induced, I def didn’t fancy going beyond that. If for no reason then I’d be a bag of nerves every second!

[Jana483]

With my first ivf pregnancy I was allowed to go reach 40 weeks and was told that I'll be induced after 40 weeks but I gave birth on my due date.

[Sw1234]

My LB was born by emergency c section at 38w3d but I wasn't told about not going beyond 40 weeks. I'm now pregnant again (will be 35 when baby arrives) and just had a letter through with an appointment to discuss VBAC so they don't seem to be concerned about going overdue in my area

[MrsOrangejuice]

It may just depend on the Trust. I was given a consultant as standard because I'd had IVF but at the first appointment he said that as I didn't have any of the main risk factors (blood pressure, weight, diabetes) there was no need to treat it any differently to a normal low risk pregnancy. I asked if IVF was a risk factor they take into account and he said yes, but generally because there is usually some associated risk factor that meant IVF was needed in the first place and they look at each case individually. We went through all the options, including induction and not going to term, but it was entirely my decision. For various reasons, I wanted a scheduled c-section and as I was terrified of going into labour and having to have an emergency section, I asked to have it one-two weeks early which they said was fine as the baby was >98th percentile!

[StarsAllAround]

Thanks all for your responses its very interesting. I asked my midwife today she said it just depends on the consultant you see at the start some see IVF as a risk factor and won't let you go beyond 40 weeks others don't see it as a risk so just treat it as a normal pregnancy. I just happened to see one that doesn't see it as a risk as there is no set guidelines in my trust 😕. She said I'll be offered a sweep after 40 weeks and that's it but can ask for sweep at 39 weeks if I wanted, which I think I might do.

[Greencook]

I think we are due around the same time aren’t we ? My due date is 23/03 - I’ve asked this too & they are allowing me to go to term + 12 .. which I was fine with BUT I had a community midwife appointment on Friday & the nhs are so understaffed at the moment they couldn’t even get me in for a sweep on due date as requested so I’m not being seen now until I’m 40+4 which I’m quite scared about as the risk each day your over increases doesn’t it & i am so surprised they haven’t booked in for me ti be seen until 41 + 1 at the hospital ( the sweep 40+4 is just at a clinic) xxxx

[StarsAllAround in reply to Greencook]

Yes I was due the 21.03.23, baby arrived 16.03.23. I was worried too had a sweep booked in at start of the week but they couldn't do it as baby was not engaged so I I spent a lot of time bouncing on ball and did lots of walking think that helped start my labour. Try not to worry I'm sure your little one will come when there ready x

[Greencook in reply to StarsAllAround]

Oh wow congratulations 😍 I really hope my little one comes before or just after due date - had a big walk today & been on my ball but I’ll carry on & hope he comes naturally, thank you & enjoy your newborn & I hope you have a smooth labour xxxx

[StarsAllAround in reply to Greencook]

It was a quick just under 2 hours of active labour. Fingers crossed your little one comes soon x

[Greencook in reply to StarsAllAround]

That’s amazing 🙌🏻❤️ thanks so much xx