Induction?

[Tomorrow_1]

Hi everyone. Quick question for those of you who are/ have been pregnant via ivf: were you told that the birth would be induced? I was told this at my very first consultant appointment, when I was 15 weeks along. Didn’t think much about it at the time, but now that I’ve read about induced births it’s got me a little worried. Currently 28 weeks and seeing consultant again thus Thurs, but wanted to hear your opinions first. Shouldn’t I at least have been offered a choice? Or is it just a foregone conclusion that IVF pregnancy = induction? So far, they have not detected any growth or placental problems, so I’m wondering what their reasoning is.

Thanks!

[Gueritarubia]

I would ask their reasoning, I’ve never heard of this! I live abroad and have had one IVF baby who became a planned caesarean due to complications but otherwise it would’ve been natural. Only get induced when you’re almost two weeks overdue or if there’s medical reasons just like for women with a natural conception...

[Tomorrow_1 in reply to Gueritarubia]

Thanks! I definitely will ask their reasoning at the next appointment. Strangely, I've been told that they won't even let spontaneous pregnancies go 1 week past the due date here, so induction, especially for a first baby, seems pretty common. Odd...

[Lowamh in reply to Tomorrow_1]

I think some places do this to minimise the risk of stillbirth. There are some countries that don’t let pregnancies go overdue at all. But people are right, it is up to you so if you would rather not be induced you can discuss this with the consultant x

[Hidden]

I was told I would be treated like any other normal pregnant lady so no planned induction. I was induced but only because she was 12 days late xx

[Tomorrow_1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! I asked my midwife this morning and she told me that even in spontaneous pregnancies, women shouldn't be allowed to go more than 7 days past their due date...Maybe practices are just a little different in my CCG (N-E England)? Who knows? Was the induction very painful? Did it go smoothly for you?

[Hidden in reply to Tomorrow_1]

It does seem very different in all areas. I had a sweep at 7 days past my due date then went in for induction 10 days past due date. The induction wasn’t painful in that the pessary was inserted and was fine etc. I can’t really compare if it would of been more painful during labour as not had another pregnancy but I ended up with an emergency c-section which was absolutely fine and I was glad they just decided to get her out in the end xx

[HollieW]

I've not been told that and I'm currently 32 weeks with an IVF baby. An induction has to be done with consent and unless there is a valid medical reason for an induction I do not see why it would be necessary or advised. There is lots of information online about inductions and whether they are necessary. Ensure you ask your consultant at your next appointment for more information xx

[Tomorrow_1 in reply to HollieW]

Thanks Hollie. I've haven't signed any official consent forms yet, so will definitely ask about that as well. Hope you're feeling better these days! xoxo

[HollieW in reply to Tomorrow_1]

You do have to advocate for you and your baby I find when dealing with some medical professionals. I hope you get the answers you need. I'm fine and no longer sick but very tired! Xx

[Vegemite in reply to HollieW]

Agreed. You need to advocate for your body and your baby.. we are all different...

[LizzieBW]

Congrats on your pregnancy 😊

My cousin was pregnant with IVF twins and was treated like a natural pregnancy. She was definitely planned to give birth naturally and they only made the decision to intervene later in the pregnancy because the bigger twin started stealing all her sister's nutrients & put her at risk.

As the other women have said, they have to have a valid medical reason to induce and gain your consent. Could it be you have other health issues that could impact the decision rather than it being because of the IVF process & this was miscommunicated? Hopefully you'll get some clarification at your appointment on Thursday. Remember you definitely have the right to make your own choices! 🧡

[Tomorrow_1 in reply to LizzieBW]

Thanks Lizzie. No other health issues that I am aware of: pregnancy is progressing really well; I have no signs of any complications; fetal growth has been good so far. So I'm a bit stumped as to why they decided induction would be necessary. Just asked my midwife this morning and she said that it was NHS policy for ivf pregnancies to be induced and that it was pursued because ivf babies were considered just that bit more 'precious' (given the effort involved in conceiving them). Will definitely ask my consultant!

[LizzieBW in reply to Tomorrow_1]

That's fantastic all is looking well with your pregnancy 😁

Wow that's definitely the first I've heard of those guidelines/rules. I'm currently in the process of being treated for infertility too & we think IVF is our next step so I will now be certain to ask the question about induced labour if or when we start the process. Perhaps it varies between different CCGs or maybe it's a newer introduction to treatment within the NHS!

Best wishes for the rest of your pregnancy 🧡

[JulieOcean2]

My fertility clinic told me I wouldn’t be allowed to go past 40 weeks and would be induced before. But.. my midwife was a different story she said id be left to go myself (upto 2 weeks past my due date I think?!) I did end up being induced before the 40 weeks but this was due to them thinking I was going to have a big baby. I was happy about this though cuz was a bit stressed about baby being ok near the end ☺️ Hope this helps xx

[Mannjj43]

I was just induced with my baby but this was only because they thought she was going to be big (over 90th%) and her elder sister was big. However, was very much my choice and I could have waited till her actual due date had I wanted, as opposed to 39 weeks. My consultant was v much of the view that babies are fully cooked at 39 weeks and she offered all her ladies induction if they preferred it. Ivf ladies were never allowed past 40 weeks because of increased still birth risks etc. It was actually fine- just a b long drawn out process that ended up with forceps (prob because I’d had an epidural). Good luck with it.

[emmab178]

Seems to be different in each ccg but i was told i wasnt even going to go 1 day over as i hit two risk factors, age and ivf.

They are trying to minimise the risk of still birth. Mine said it was due to the placenta attaching differently in ivf (although that sounds like crap really).

To be honest try not to worry. Most birth plans don't go the way the woman wants anyway. It's risk vs reward on all of this stuff.

My daughter was breech so straight to talking of c section from week 28 onwards which was my preferred option anyway.

Don't want to scare you but going overdue is not great. I've known two women have still births going over. Most of my nct group had inductions for medical reasons and it was fine in the end. Just need healthy baby and healthy you at the end of it.

You could develop preeclampsia and then the decision is obvious anyway. Try not to worry x

[Rfletcher]

I was told exactly the same as you at my first consultation at 15 weeks. I was told it was because they know exactly when the due date is and going over puts mum and baby at risk of high blood pressure and other complications. But I have to admit I am a little unsure about it too. Xx

[Hidden]

I was offered an induction but said I would rather wait so they left the decision up to me, however, I was allowed to request a sweep any time from 39 weeks and an induction any time from 40 weeks. When I was 41 weeks I went to hospital for monitoring (unrelated to ivf) and they offered the sweep there and then which I accepted, but they couldn't do it because my cervix was closed so they booked me in for an induction 3 days later. By that time I just wanted my baby out safely so didn't refuse, however, I went into labour the night if my failed sweep. My pregnancy was treated normally throughout and they respected my decision not to book in for an induction on my due date. I'm glad I stuck with my decision because I had a very good experience during labour and birth. My cousin has had 3 inductions and each birth was straightforward, no complications (natural pregnancies). From what I've heard, inductions bring on the contractions really hard and fast but to be honest my labour when exactly like that anyway without an induction! I had my first painful contraction at 9pm and had my daughter was born 4 hours later! You just don't know what is going to happen. Good luck to you whatever you decide xx

[Tugsgirl]

Hi 👋🏻 I’m 35 weeks and am looking at being induced for a few reasons. One of them is because the consultant has said that ivf babies are ever so slightly more high risk than naturally conceived babies. I also have pelvic girdle pain which they have said will get worse the longer I am left and I’m on blood thinners for a blood clotting condition, ideally I need to avoid having taken any blood thinners for 24 hours xx

[Tomorrow_1 in reply to Tugsgirl]

Glad to hear from you Tugs! I know you’ve had a rough time conceiving and then with the pregnancy as well. And I have read/ been told that ivf pregnancies are considered slightly higher risk, hence the inclination to induce. I think I just got freaked out when I read that inductions can be more painful and protracted than natural births, but hey, in the end I have nothing to compare it to, so I don’t suppose it matters. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy- not long to go now! 🥰

[Tugsgirl in reply to Tomorrow_1]

I’m freaked out too! You’re not alone in that one.. Keep us posted xx

[Hidden]

Hi.

My pregnancy wasn’t an ivf one - i fell after my endo was properly. I went 4 days overdue with my daughter. My midwife said it was my choice if I wanted induction 12 days post due date but my consultant was against that & was insistent I would not go past 12 days.

I agree with others unless a valid medical reason for induction should be your choice. I’d enquire the reasoning behind the induction (sure they must have a reason)& then make a informed decision

All the best with your pregnancy & delivery xoxo