Wondered if anyone could tell me their experience of labour? Midwives and drs keep pushing induction on me because I've done ivf and baby is slightly on the bigger side but I'm 6ft and husband is 6ft 4. I think it would be expectated that our baby is bigger.
I'm 34 weeks. Zero health complications. No gestational diabetes or pre eclampsia. Nothing other than "IVF and 35 years old" .
Obviously I'll do what's safest but i would really love a more relaxed natural birth in water. Something I can't have if I'm induced.
Any advice. Should I resist being induced?
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Here in the US, they say you technically don’t have to be induced due to IVF. I wanted at 39 weeks because I was scared but meds didn’t work. I ended up having him 40 weeks +6 days. He was healthy
It was put to me to induce at 40 weeks because it was an ivf pregnancy. I was similar to you, no gestational diabetes or pre eclampsia, my baby was ‘average’ according to the growth scans (had these due to it being ivf too) and I was 33. I agreed to it though because it gave me the fear and I just wanted to bring my baby home. My waters ending up breaking the morning I was due to be induced though! It’s a hard one because I also wanted a relaxed approach but I felt like I shouldn’t go against their advice if that makes sense…
My friend had an ivf pregnancy, no complications 27 years only and was advised to be induced. She declined initially as there was no clinic reason given but agreed to get to 41 weeks and no further so ended up being induced because she got there. Had she have gone into labour naturally she wouldn’t have.I’ve spoken to a midwife I know and she said there are different opinions around on whether you should be or not so I have no idea! X
What do they tell you when you tell them you would like a water birth? My baby was measuring big on scans (but weighed average in the end! He just happened to have long legs, like his dad...) and at no point did they mention induction. I had 2 stretch and sweeps in my 40th week and gave birth at 41 weeks exactly. Baby was back to back though so they had to use the dreaded forceps but all was well, just a bit sore down there for 2 weeks. You could agree to the induction but as a last resort maybe.
I'm 33 weeks so imagine I'll be having this conversation shortly. I think it is because the placenta starts breaking down after 40 weeks and so they want to make sure they get baby out before that starts happening. With "natural" pregnancies they never know the date of actual conception, but with us ivf-ers they do. You don't have to agree to anything and if you aren't comfortable being induced you must say so. Maybe agree to be induced if you don't go naturally at 41 wks?
With my son (fresh transfer after IVF cycle) I was induced at 40+2. I was high risk at the start due to IVF but then changed to regular care after 12 week scan as no other issues. Had a relatively straightforward pregnancy, no GD, no blood pressure issues etc. Baby always measured on the 90th centile on scans. But I was referred at 36 weeks (I think) to a consultant for a "big baby"... Who then referred me for induction. I too am almost 6ft and hubby is 6'3. I was always going to have a big baby! But the scans can be off. I did have a few stretch and sweeps from 37 weeks to see if labour would start naturally but it didnt. My induction was pretty intense as I overstimulated and had back to back contractions so needed an epidural relatively early on. He came out 8lb 4oz, so a perfect size for me. No tearing. So my body had grown the perfect size baby. Although I had a pretty positive birth experience, had I the chance to go back I would decline the induction. If I'm lucky enough to have another baby, I'd only have an induction on the basis of medical issue, not on the size or fact of IVF alone. My consultant at the end who referred also used IVF as a further reason for induction.Good luck with what you decide! You have to do what's right for you. X
I don't know anybody that has been recommend induced due to IVF, but I know a few that was recommend due to big babies, if they were twins, and also one of my friends her uterus is not able to hold the baby up to the end. I don't think it is uncommon and what it is important (in my opinion) is that the reason behind is the health of the mother and the baby.
If I were you, I will be asking the doctors what could happen if you go ahead and wait, or on what week the baby won't have to be in the incubator. Maybe understanding the different scenarios will help make a decision.
I was 35 when I gave birth to my ivf boy and apart from being consultant led they didn't treat me any different to any other mother. I had a natural birth and was never advised to do anything different because of the way he was made. I was grateful for that as soon as I was discharged from the clinic I felt like every other pregnant woman. That was 9 years ago so maybe things have changed but I can't see why once your pregnant your any different? I'd definitely question it. Xxx
This is how I'd like to be treated too. They're scaring me with "the placenta might stop working at 40 weeks and we might have to dislocate your babys shoulder to get it out."
However, If all ok today i want referred to a low intervention midwife led community unit. It's already enough intervention having ivf and feeling different. Would like things to be as chilled and natural as possible for baby and i.
I would be the same because induction isn't always great for you and the baby i would only choose that if definitely necessary. Funny you should say that though because my boy came 2 weeks late the day before induction and I needed forceps as his shoulder did get stuck and he was always measuring bigger than the weeks I was but ever since he was born he has never been in the size clothes he should! Hes realy tall and broad but healthy. But then I just thought he was like every other baby once I had my first scan and I definitely made it clear I wanted to be treated that way xxxx
I was 37 when I had my IVF boy at 40+5 weeks in November last year and this was only because I’d has a couple of sweeps to get things going, he wasn’t budging otherwise. No mention of induction at all even at that point. I was consultant led to begin with but this was mainly to do with low lying placenta concerns however moved over to midwifery care after 36 weeks as everything was fine. Things may be different in other trusts though xx
It was standard practice at my hospital to put me on a ‘red path’ (nhs Glasgow) due to IVF pregnancy which meant scans and consultant appointment every 4 weeks which I appreciated, however at around 36 weeks they suddenly told me I would also be induced at 39 weeks which they also did for IVF babies and 35 and over (I was 38). They said it was my choice but in the end I decided to take their advice (what they said about placenta breaking down and more risk of complications during labour for babies that go past 39 weeks for ladies 35 and over and IVF babies made complete sense) and booked a ‘at home’ induction where they insert a balloon catheter to stretch your cervix and send you home for 24 hours then break your waters (then drip if needed). Of course my baby had other ideas and my waters actually broke the morning I was due to have the balloon fitted and my consultant told me to stay in the ward and be monitored so I was in the ‘induction by pessary’ ward for about 18 hours before they moved me up to the labour ward and whilst it seemed okay I don’t think it was for me, I was bored and lonely (might be different now covid not so bad) and could hear the ladies in pain around me in first stages of labour when I think we would all rather have been at home! I was still labouring the next morning and as my waters had been broken for more than 24 hours they wanted to speed things up so they gave me the induction drip which was totally fine and did the job (contractions got strong though so I had epidural- which was literally AMAZING 🤣).
I also had a sweep a few days before my waters broke which was uncomfortable but I think defo helped me to go into labour naturally so perhaps that could be an option you try first before induction?
Not sure if any of that info helps you but thought I’d share. Remember it’s your choice and if no actual issues and the induction is just ‘procedure’ then every women is different so do what’s best for you 🤗💐 xxx
Thank you. This is really helpful. I'm Glasgow too so good to hear an experience from here. Will see what babys growth is like today and see what they say. I'm more open to stretch and sweep first and would probably accept a chemical induction around 40+. All i hear when I'm there is how busy they are so i dont want to just fit into their schedules of inductions just to help them manage everyone.. Don't look forward to my 3/4 hour wait today 🤦🏼♀️
Oh god I know!! The waiting is awful and the seats for pregnant women so uncomfy all worth it in the end though 🤗
Honestly I had so many plans for labour and it just went a completely different way (for example I said under no circumstances would I have an epidural but my god I would do it again in a heartbeat 😂) but with hindsight I would have asked them to let me home after they checked babies heart beat etc after my waters broke as that was the worst part of the whole thing for me being in the induction ward without even actually being induced 🙈 when the night shift midwife came in she said I should have been allowed home but it was ‘too late now’ so yeah don’t just let them think of you as a number I noticed the women around me who were more forceful did get listened to. Ps the labour ward was excellent and everyone amazing I cannot praise them enough!! Just got to get to 4-5cm dilated somehow and then you’re in there lol hope to all goes well and of you have any other questions just drop me a message 🤗 xx
Thank you appreciate it. Aye, it's in our birth plan to be at home as much as poss so thanks for the tip.My best friend said the same re epidural. She planned for a pain relief free labour (total hippy 😂) but said she'd take an epidural in a heartbeat again!
I was induced due to being IVF, I even had a growth scan which showed baby to be 7lbs at 39 weeks and they still induced at 39+5. The reason I was given was that they thought the placenta would start to struggle with an IVF pregnancy but I did feel like they just had a blanket policy and didn’t really tailor to suit. Baby was delivered safe and well but I feel like she wasn’t expecting an eviction yet 😂 x
Yeah I found the info available to be rubbish and then a consultant would agree I wasn’t a risk and say I could wait then another would start giving me horror stories (as if the IVF journey wasn’t stressful enough 🙈), I just gave in in the end TBH but won’t again 😂 x
Thank you. Even though its my decision to make, your comments and experiences are all helping me decide. Appreciate it. Will see what they say today 😊.
I think I am in a similar position to you, I have no complications and would like a water birth . I am 31 weeks and in my area they offer induction at 39 weeks for IVF pregnancies. I am wary of being induced for no medical reason as I have heard it can be a more intense labour. I feel like our bodies and the baby know the right time to come and intervening for non-medical reasons could be unnecessary. On the other hand I am desperate to meet my boy and so would love for him to come at 39 weeks. My plan is to wait and see what reasons they consultant provides and then decide. If I do have to have an intervention I will be asking for a sweep first. I am also planning on hitting the raspberry leaf tea and 6 dates a day from 36 weeks in the hope it gets things moving! xx
Haha- I think after waiting so long to have our babies we just want them here. The sooner the better (as long as they are full term which is any time after 36 weeks I think?)I've been following a few natural birth advocates on Instagram and they do seem to say there is limited or unreliable research showing induction at 39 weeks reduces stillbirth. I also had a read of this article which I found reassuring therealbirthcompanyltd.com/...
It is just anecdotal evidence but 4 of my close friends who were induced (non IVF pregnancies that went past 40 weeks) all ended up with caesareans after long drawn out labours. They were all in their mid to late 30s. Has made me question induction and whether it is the best decision for me.
It is so hard when you have a medical professional telling you that being induced reduces stillbirth. You feel like you'd do anything to protect this baby and hate the thought of making the wrong decision. Pregnancy after IVF is tough!
I feel like you're in my brain. Also been reading same things and sometimes it feels selfish pushing for my preferences. Of course i don't went to put baby in any danger but equally don't want either of us to be stressed as cortisol has a huge onwards impact on attachment and maternal mental health too.
I think i might just go with a "not making any firm decisions about anything approach", will see what comes after today and the next few weeks as they continue to monitor us.
If we were really being selfish we'd be asking for an induction ASAP so we could have them here! I think the way you are approaching it is very sensible. Looking at the pros and cons of both options and waiting to see what the medical professionals advise while also doing your own research. Whatever you decide to do your little one will be in good hands and it won't be too long until they are here. Both exciting and scary. All the best x
I was advised to have an induction if I got to 40 weeks due to IVF. I ended up having a c section earlier than that for obviously unrelated reasons. My friend had IVF at another hospital and their policy was to not induce so I think it varies
I’m really glad this question was asked and there are so many great answers. I was told by one doctor I would have to be induced because I am over 35. The next doctor I saw said I would have to be induced because of IVF. I didn’t question it at the time, assuming it was a fixed rule, but all of this certainly has me thinking and makes me want to research more. The one thing I really don’t want unless necessary is a caesarean (very scared of it), so now I wonder how being induced might relate to that?
I was 35 when I had my baby last year, also IVF and was treated as a normal low risk pregnancy. I think the guidelines vary from area to area but they definitely can’t force you to have an induction just because you’ve had IVF, it’s based on outdated information anyway! You can absolutely say no if you don’t want to xx
Also, me and my husband are both tall and baby was always measuring ahead on length but was born a couple of days before my due date and was 7lb3oz so not at all big x
I was advised an induction at 40 weeks due to IVF and I did enquire why to the midwife as well as carrying out my own research. I couldn’t really find a legitimate answer…one midwife said ‘I don’t know why we do it, we just do!’ Another said she thought it was because the babies are ‘extra special’ but of course, every baby is extra special.In the end I went with the advice although apprehensive, I decided I could fight it and then go 2 weeks over and have to be induced anyway!
I booked in a couple of sweeps at 39 weeks and the next day my waters broke but I ended up with induction anyway because I didn’t go into natural labour after that and they don’t want to risk infection after waters have been lost for 24hours.
This happened to me too. I had induction booked on the Monday and my waters broke the Friday before naturally. I ended up induced anyway, for the same reason as you, however I got an infection anyway, but I now have a healthy 4 year old, so it's all good. Xx
Studies do show an increase in stillbirth after 40 weeks and especially after 41 weeks, regardless of whether the baby is IVF (but age definitely increases the risk) which is the reason I requested an induction for both my babies. The first ended up coming naturally at 40 weeks and the second was induced at 39 weeks ( when i was 41 and 44 years old, respectively).
Hi,So I recently had my own rainbow baby and I was induced. I know lots of people are against it but after all the anxiety leading up to it, I'm glad I did. It gives you an element of control-you go in and are monitored from the off. No sitting at home waiting to go in. Baby is monitored closely - heartbeat etc. And my labour lasted just 2 days.
In my nct group, all were first time mums.
Only one had a water birth, but she is Asian and Asians generally have small babies- hers was 6 lb 6. You can usually look up the statistics for your labour ward online, month by month. At my hospital, only 6 out of something like 370 babies were waterbirth, and I doubt most of them were first time mums.
Of the rest of us:
One went into labour naturally, ended up with a c section and an infection as her labour went on for 3 days. It was a difficult birth by all accounts.
Three of us were induced- I ended up with episiotomy and ventouse, as did another woman. And the last two both had emergency c sections....
None of us planned any of the above. We all pretty much expressed a preference for water births. But you can't plan these things. And I know people say 'have a birth plan'... There's no such thing. Only preferences.
You say you're 6ft. I'd say if your baby is large and your a first time mum, prepare yourself for a c section or ventouse/forceps and possibly episiotomy. I doubt a water birth is likely but you can express a preference for this.
It's totally up to you whether you're induced or not, no one can make you, but you might end up on labour ward anyway given your/your baby's size.
Thanks for this. Good to hear yours and others accounts. After my appointment today, I'm feeling a lot less anxious and open to whatever happens at the time. As you say, you can have your preferences but so often it doesn't go to plan. Literally anything can happen from this point forward.
I saw a proper consultant and she was a lot less pressuring and fear mongering than the younger registrars. Walked away feeling more assured.
Another scan in a couple of weeks so will just have to take it from there. I'm actually now feeling like I want baby here sooner rather than later. We'll just have to see. Xx
I forgot to add, another friend of mine opted for a home birth... Her labour lasted 5 days, was at home for 3, then also ended up with ventouse and episiotomy. And she also got an infection because her waters were broken too long.
All babies were fine but I'd say the inductions were the most straightforward.
Inductions are fine. I personally was ready at 38 weeks, babies are full term at 37, so why risk it? No harm can be done. The worst part for me was when they check how far you're dilated- if far along, that s**t hurts. Take gas and air if they offer it.
Also, just to add, when my waters broke- holy mother of God- it was like niagara falls down there. The midwife had to get changed as she was soaked through. And something they don't tell you is how the waters don't just break then that's it.. Sometimes it just keeps coming. Like literally, the world's worst leak. I was in puddles of the stuff for a good 2 hours or longer. Some only have a little puddle but if you're like me... God help you and anyone nearby.
Sometimes it's better to be in a hospital environment from the off, that's my point.
I also deliberated a lot... I wouldn't change my decision at all. And would never have wanted ventouse but when it was offered it felt like the right decision.
I hope it all goes well for you whatever you decide.
Hahaha. Your post made me laugh. Some great imagery there. 😁😂.
I have also considered the possibility I'll feel fed up In a few weeks. I'm currently in the "I love being pregnant and don't want it to end/don't dare rush me or my baby phase".
I do have a friend who was also anti every intervention then ended up having every single thing on offer. I suppose you just never know how you're gonna be at the time or how your body will respond.
Good to hear the ancedotes and thanks for the well wishes. Will likely post an update soon. 😊
Hi, I'm not pregnant (yet!) If you're based in the UK the guidelines were amended recently in light of the black maternity scandal. In the guidelines it included non white women, those over BMI 30 and those who've had ART to be induced at 39 weeks. Several groups are trying to stop these being implemented as they aren't based on data rather the opinions of the NICE board. I'd say if everything has been fine with you and your baby and there's no real reason for an induction question the basis for their recommendation as this procedure doesn't come without its risks.
They like to induce people on there due date with Ivf because the later you are can cause risks that’s what I got told I ended up having emergency section due to other reasons or I woulda been induced x
Hi. I had my IVF baby nearly 5 years ago now. No complications during pregnancy in fact I had a great pregnancy. However, I was advised by consultant that I would be induced due to it being high risk of still birth with it being through IVF. I had my induction booked on the Monday, but she had other ideas and my waters broke on the Friday. I ended up having to be induced anyway because I did not go into active labour. Sake! I then had my wee girl on Sunday, which was her due date anyway. I don't want to scare you because every pregnancy and birth is different, but I ended up with an infection, purely because my waters broke with no labour. I wish you all the best with everything 🙂
Hello, I can see you’ve had lots of advice and how peoples journeys are all different. My little one born 11 weeks ago, ivf pregnancy, 38 yr old no complications. Induction recommended at 40 weeks. Sizing scan at 37 week was looking at 6lb. But I was huge and all baby but the end of my pregnancy I was really struggling the last two weeks when I broke up from work. (Typical) I went in to be induced I cried on the way in as was in my own didn’t know what to expect. All the staff were amazing. But it’s even getting less sleep, the observations are happening, the Monitors, people coming in and people leaving. I had two sweeps before went in to be induced. I had two pessaries, one every 24 hours and then the gel. And by then it had been 4 days and no time to repeat process really as nearly 41 weeks. But I was sick of people coming in and been examined and they was 2 cm dilated which was all was needed to go on labour suite and drip. Few that happened to so didn’t even need a pessaries. The monitors scared me at first as my baby was quite active most times and they would leave on for longer so sometimes could have been on for two hours to get a baseline. I wasnt feeling contractions although had really bad back ache. In the end it was a c section, cervix wasn’t opening, placenta was huge and baby was 8lb 7oz. I found the pessaries ok but really uncomfortable when the nurses are examining to see if can reach cervix and you can end up with an infection. We won’t be having another miracle baby but I think it’s was just my luck for failed induction and 6 days without my husband and family to then go for emergency c section was typical but on the up side I was a anxious mum to be and was happy to hear by boys heartbeat regular on the monitor. The midwifes abs consultants advised me that becomes high risk at 41 weeks with ivf due to placenta complications and the risk of it breaking down but that not only with ivf. Wishing you all the best xx
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