Potential induction but IVF due date doesn't match up with growth scan due date

[Connie290]

Hello 😊 I'll try and explain this as best I can but my brain fog is STRONG.

According to my IVF dates, my due date should be 20th April, but during my first few scans baby was measuring on the bigger side, so my due date was changed to the 12th April. Baby is now only in 31st centile (currently 36+5 according to adjusted due date), which i know isn't a cause for concern but is on the smaller side.

Due to it being an ivf pregnancy and me also having an underactive thyroid, my health board don't like me to go past my due date so would like to induce me before I get to the 12th April, but if we're going by my IVF dates, the 12th April is really only 38+5 weeks.

I'm not really sure what my question is, I'd just really like to avoid a c-section if possible but I know inductions can increase the chance of needing one, but I can't see labour starting earlier than 12th april on its own given that would only make me 38+5. Think I'm just looking for someone who may have experienced something similar who may have some words of wisdom for me because I can't decide what to do for the best (ie have any induction or refuse it)

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely. If your health/thyroid is continuously monitored and all is well, I don't see any reason why you couldn't go up to your original due date. Frankly, it's a bit surprising that your doctors adjusted your due date at all based on growth scans (which have a pretty large margin of error) when you knew exact dates due to IVF.

Obviously, if something changes with your health and there's a medical reason to induce earlier, you should follow your doctor's advice. But if they're only basing their recommendation on due dates, I personally would go with the "correct" date of 20 April.

Good luck with whatever you decide! Your baby will be here before you know it xx

[Notourfirstrodeo]

Hi 👋 I am due on the 12th April IVF dates and due to IVF full stop they don't want me to go past my due date due to risk of placenta failure. I'm planned in for 2 sweeps W38, W39, I've made it clear I want to avoid medical Induction or C Section if I can. I am being allowed up to my due date to make a choice on my options.

Thanks

[soccerkt6 in reply to Notourfirstrodeo]

Hey lovely, I just wanted to quickly jump in with a reminder that it is always YOUR decision how you want to go into labour/give birth. Your doctors may strongly push for you to not go past your due date, but if that's what you decide you want to do it is absolutely your right to refuse an induction or other medical interventions. Birth is an intense experience and you should feel empowered to undertake it on the timeline that feels best for you. Sending you lots of good thoughts! xx

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely,

I had a planned c-section at 38+6 (due to rooms being free etc) - as they also wanted me to give birth before the 39 week mark.

I had a really amazing experience as it was all calm and controlled - we had our playlist on and were able to do delayed cord clamping and even let him wriggle out a bit on his own.

I have heard very mixed reports of inductions - one friend said it was excruciating and she ended up in a c-section - another said it was very smooth and the birth was fine.

Every experience is so individual - so I would think about what is most important to you. Is a vaginal birth high on your list? Is the safety of you both top? Is the recovery time important? Make a list and see what you think of - then this will probably give you your plan

xx

[Twiglet2]

Hey- this was my exact situation a few weeks ago. If we went with IVF dates due date would have been march 15th but had march 9th from booking scan. I was induced afternoon of 39+1 gave birth at 39+3 on march 5th. So would have been 38+3 for induction date and 38+5 for birth date. Healthy baby at 7lbs 7ozs but did take a few goes at induction to evict him 🤣🤭 it 3 pessaries/gel later and I was dilated enough to have water broke. I was being induced purely due to IvF and age both being risk factors for placenta to stop working.

They said they could book me in at any point after 39 weeks up to 39+5 but tbh I just wanted him here safely as every day nearer the end I worried about placenta or something else going wrong etc right up until the last push 😂

I’ve had 2 inductions now and both ended with natural labour, minimal tearing possibility of using suction cup suggested both times but I asked to push a bit longer and ended up wasn’t needed in either. No suggestion of c section and baby and my heart rates etc all fine throughout. I’m having no more but would go for induction again for sure if I was.

Ps for my first child I didnt need the pessary or induction balloon as the sweep worked for me and waters broke naturally at home. I just needed induction drip to speed things up. So I would take and ask for any sweeps going! I couldnt get a sweep with 2nd baby as head wasn’t engaged enough (common with 2nd babies) until after the 3rd pessary

Perhaps you could book an induction for halfway through the 39th week and ask for a sweep for the start of it? See if anything happens on its own? xx