Donor egg IVF question

[brinepalace]

Hi everyone. I'm 37.5 weeks with my first baby (a girl!), and everything has been normal so far. All doctors and midwives have said I am progressing well and don't count as high risk.

However, just had a phone call with a new doctor who said I was high risk due to donor egg IVF, and recommended a) I give birth on the labour ward and b) I get induced at 39 weeks 4 days.

He did say that it was only a recommendation and I could do what I liked, so I will be proceeding with my birth centre plan and with only have an induction if necessary.

Did anyone else in this situation get this message from their doctors or midwives? Does anyone know the rationale for it?

Thanks everyone x

[LizzieBW]

Hi 👋

Congratulations on your successful IVF 😊

I can't comment on the DE part of the "risk" but where I live in Scotland it's standard procedure to consider IVF pregnancies higher risk and they recommend induction at 39 weeks. I'm also automatically consultant led and not able to give birth at home or on the midwife led clinic (quite happy with this though personally).

I was told this waaay back at my booking appointment though so cannot understand how you're just finding out so late on in your pregnancy - this is defo something I'd be questioning! The reason I was given is there's research to suggest the placenta begins breaking down earlier in IVF pregnancies after the 39 week mark and so a slightly higher risk of stillbirth and complications if you go past 39 weeks.

Only from my own experience and conversations with consultant so hope this helps, even a little. Xx

[brinepalace in reply to LizzieBW]

Thank you. The general consensus online is that IVF pregnancies can be more high risk, but that there is little to no evidence to suggest that there is a need to induce. Most of the risks would have happened already, or are age-related (I'm 34 so doesn't apply).

I will discuss with my midwife next week though. Another doctor had mentioned early induction once before, but not as a must-have, only as something to think about.

Thanks for your advice x

[KiboXX in reply to brinepalace]

Lots of areas don’t automatically consider you high risk if it’s an IVF pregnancy, just depends on where you live! I was treated as a normal low risk pregnancy and was midwife lead the whole way through. You’re young and healthy, there is no reason you have to change your birth plan if you don’t want to, it’s entirely up to you xx

[LizzieBW in reply to brinepalace]

Good idea to discuss with your midwife and base your decision on your own clinical situation and personal preferences 😊

Good luck! Xx

[Twiglet2]

Also in Scotland and had induction booked at 39 weeks. To begin with they just said they wouldn’t let me go past due date but then at 36 weeks new consultant said induction at 39 weeks. When I asked the rationale they said that there is a higher risk of complications during birth so bigger babies growing past 39 weeks adds to that, there is a higher risk of issues with ivf babies growth past 39 weeks and also as they know the exact date of conception (for other pregnancies it’s more estimated) they are more comfortable 39 weeks is full term. It was up to me though but I went with their recommendations and booked in for at home balloon catheter induction. Seems that the day he was meant to come anyway as my waters broke the morning before induction and he arrived the next day. I also had a sweep at 38 +4 which may have helped avoid induction. Wishing you lots of luck…. It’s nearly time!! 😊💕xx

[Chiefy]

I live equal distance between 2 maternity units so midwives cover both. I had an ivf pregnancy (own eggs). Hospital I gave birth at (internationally renowned) didn't consider ivf an issue but other hospital did and pushed induction at 39 wks, so I think it comes down to individual hospital policy.

You can refuse induction and request additional monitoring instead.