Spontaneous vs. IVF question

zombiemommy

We had a false alarm L&D trip two weeks ago, and they asked if our twins were spontaneous. Other doctors have asked this, too. They are spontaneous, but why does it matter? It would seem like the more important question is mono di or di di. Anyone know why they ask this question?

jalaiaa

There was one complication, I think incompetent cervix, that is more common in those who had fertility treatments. Don't quote me on that because it was told to me by my MFM a long time ago and I may not be remembering correctly. So it could have something to do with that. Or they may just be curious. 

Ruthie04

It may have to do with the EDD calculation. For example, they always calculate my due date by my egg retrieval/ date of conception instead of my last period. 

zombiemommy

jalaiaa:

There was one complication, I think incompetent cervix, that is more common in those who had fertility treatments. Don't quote me on that because it was told to me by my MFM a long time ago and I may not be remembering correctly. So it could have something to do with that. Or they may just be curious. 

I'm hoping it's the cervix reason...or really any medical reason would do. Initially, I just felt like the question was a little nosy with no medical need to know. Good to know that there might be an actual reason for it.

srbmvp

I have heard that there is a higher rate of complications with fertility treatments versus spontaneous, but I can't remember the reasons why, or the specific problems that are more common....

mysteriousmommy

The only time I was ever asked this during my pregnancy was when my MFM was doing my a/s.  He said that there is a slightly higher incidence of heart issues with IVF babies.  I never heard that from anyone else during my pregnancy.  Anyway, I tend to think it's just nosiness because no one else but him asked...and it was just for the purposes of checking their hearts on the a/s.  Not sure why a random L&D doctor or nurse would need to know.  Then again, I don't know why random people you meet need to know either, but it doesn't keep them from asking (as I am sure you are already well aware!).

E&RMommy

Still birth rate and PTL are higher in IVF.

MelleTX

That's interesting. Come to think of it, my MFM never asked me. I assume he knew as it was in my file. I have never heard this before. Next time someone asks you, I would tell them "spontaneous, why do you ask"

tma1685

I have been asked so many times. Seems like every new nurse I get in L&D ask. Glad I've gone through most of them now. With them I think it's just being nosy. My ob already knows (shes the one that found them lol). It does get kind of old though. 

Mrs. Alice

I had medical staff ask me that question too when I was in antepartum for a month and when the babies were in the NICU.  At least they used spontaneous, every said "natural?" to me.  I think they were just curious.

pillowass

E&RMommy:

Still birth rate and PTL are higher in IVF.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think that the reason there are more poor outcomes with IVF pregnancies is directly attributable to the higher rate of multiples with IVF. If we're comparing apples to apples (IVF twins to spontaneous twins, for example), there is no difference in outcomes. I think when you factor in ICSI there is a slightly higher rate of poor outcomes - but the risk is still very small.

I am sometimes asked if my twins are the result of IVF at my MFM appointments but I don't take offense. It's an important part of my story and a significant piece of my medical history, even if it doesn't directly impact the care I am receiving. I don't get the impression that I am being judged. 

tarajayne

All the hospital nurses asked me which I think they were just being nosy... the docs never said a word but I assume they can see in my file that my RE referred me.  *shrugs*  It didn't bother me all that much when the nurses asked, I assumed they were just curious but it really does bother me when random people on the street ask. 

JenniC1135

When I was pregnant with my 3rd and concerned about getting preeclampsia again, my dr. told me the IVF from my twins increased my risk but since this was not a fertility assisted pregnancy, my risk was lower (along with other reasons, but that was one.)

sweetsugarmama

I was asked if I had treatments by the MFM, I figured it was for medical reasons (it was an IUI though). But my weirdest question was from the us tech. She asked if it was "dr _____" who gave me twins. It was, apparently this dr often gets twins as a result. That struck me as odd.