IVF pregnancy - did you give birth early?

[Mushroom22]

Hi, I'm currently 12 weeks and 2 days pregnant. When I went for my 12 week scan I was advised that IVF pregnancies don't go over and are usually induced early, I wasn't aware of this and although I understand there was reasons why I wondered if people could tell me their experience.

How early was your baby born? Did you require inducing? Was it a natural delivery or C-section?

Thanks in advance

[Luka_Ru]

Hello, my baby was born spontaneously at 40+6, natural delivery. I was offered an induction due to her being an IVF baby, but the consultant said it was up to me. On doing research, it seems that the advice to induce for IVF pregnancies is outdated and not evidence based (unless your pregnancy has other risk factors), but many hospitals still use this protocol.

[Positivechangeplease]

I think this must depend on the hospital you’re self referred to. My hospital didn’t count ivf as anything different except took the definite dates and didn’t date the baby in the same way. They often forgot I was IVF. Sadly I didn’t get to have a natural birth as I was over a week late and over 40 as well as factor GDM and these were the things they didn’t like. Good luck!

[Twiglet2]

we were offered induction due to IVF as they dont like to let them go over or even full term as they know exactly when conceived so are certain of full term by 39 weeks and there are some risks to placenta etc with IVF (your consultant can discuss those with you).

Our Induction was booked for exactly 39 weeks and I had a sweep 3 days before. My waters ended up breaking naturally on the morning I was due to go in for induction so I ended up not needing that part (was due to get an at home balloon catheter fitted to do that part) but as I hadn’t yet delivered over 24 hours later from waters breaking they gave me the induction drip to speed things up (risk when baby hasn’t had the waters for that long) when they said that would was about to happen with the drip I asked for an epidural first (had no pain meds up to that point) I intended not to have an epidural if I could avoid but I knew the drip could make it quite intense and I was already quite tired after 24 hours of Labour so this helped.

Baby was born naturally, healthy and over 7lbs a few hours later. I would opt for an early sweep and induction again if I’m ever lucky enough to get there again but you dont HAVE to take it. For me personally I was so anxious to get him here safely after 9 months of worry and the planned part of when that would be and reducing even the smallest risk was important to me personally. I also wanted to avoid a c-section recovery etc (again just a personal choice) and even at nearly 40 my consultant saw no reason why I couldn’t try to deliver naturally os I didn’t have to make this decision until about 33 weeks so plenty of time to see how you feel as things progress and sometimes circumstances decide for you a bit xx

[flamingopher]

My hospital offered induction at 40 weeks, but I had it at 39 weeks because I was having a really hard pregnancy. They don’t like you going over 40 weeks because the placenta begins to deteriorate and there is increased risk of stillbirth.

I did deliver vaginally but 4 days after induction started! He did not want to come out at all

[Eloquentia]

My daughter was born exactly on her due date. My waters broke two days earlier but labour didn't progress within 24 hours, so they had to induce me to prevent infection. I ended up with an emergency c section as induction was delayed for another 20 hours due to staff shortages on a bank holiday weekend and I developed an infection. If you do need to go down the induction route, I strongly recommend having your painkiller of choice administered before they start as it is a very intense experience. Good luck, I hope all goes smoothly!

[Boo718]

hello my beautiful Ivf baby was 10 days late. I ended up getting induced then after a whole day had a c section. She was healthy and fine. Just showed no signs to exit until my waters broke on day 8 xx

[Someday_Bluesky]

Definitely depends on the hospital. I have two quite close and in one my IVF pregnancy would have been classed as a risk factor and I’d have been under consultant led care, the other (which I choose because I wanted to be on a midwife led ward) my IVF pregnancy was treated as any other. Ended up going over and being induced when I was 12 days late. Similar to above after a day labouring I had a C-section but very healthy baby boy weighing 8lb 10oz.

[Hiyaaaaaa]

My pregnancy was consultant led due to it being ivf - I initially thought it was great to be in care of consultant, stupid me. I was offered induction if I reach 40 weeks but they were insistent while also saying it's upto us. We fell for it and went for induction which accelerated the contractions which were around to come naturally. The sudden and painful contractions distressed the baby. I was not offered sweep so I thought its not required for my case but now I read most went into natural birth after getting one. Ultimately after taking a pain killer tablet, injection, gas and air, sickness even on drinking water (which I didn't have even once during my pregnancy), breaking waters to use electrode to listen baby's heartbeat and finally consultant visited after 14 hours of pain and said why she isn't given epidural yet. Now she should go for emergency c section. I am so grateful that the baby was a full term born healthy but would never forget the trauma and regret of not listening to my body.Gain every knowledge you can about the options, know your risks and how smooth or hard the pregnancy has been, know what makes you feel more in control (some women choose elective c section) and then decide. more importantly speak for what you feel is wise for you and your baby.

[Hiyaaaaaa in reply to Hiyaaaaaa]

And be prepared for the situation if I doesn't happen how you had planned. I never had enough thought about c section as my pregnancy went fairly smooth I didn't have any sickness or swollen feet - nothing at all. I assumed I will deliver vaginally and just made myself aware about the different tearing.