Consultant Appointment- What To Expect?

[chinchi]

This is my second pregnancy, and my DS was born premature at 29+5.

I have a consultant appointment in two weeks time when I will be almost 16 weeks. It was arranged by the midwife at the booking in appointment at hospital.

She was very eager for me to see the consultant before Im due to go away in July until Sep, and has booked me in to see her again as soon as I come back.

Does anybody have experience of seeing consultants during pregnancy? I was appointed the same consultant with DS, but never actually got to meet her.

Is there anything I should be asking her, or will she do all the questioning? Obviously my main concern is delivering prematurely again, but even she wont be able to predict when DC2 will arrive!

[PInkyminkyohnooo]

Not the same history as you, (I had an emcs for my first, an elcs for my second and I'm going for a normal delivery this time), but I would suggest you make sure it's the consultant you see, not one of her minions.

She will/should talk through your notes from last pg and there you can discuss any concerns you may have with her, she may have medical recommendations depending on the reasons for your prem baby last time- was there a reason given for his early arrival?

[whomovedmychocolate]

Honestly a lot of first consultant appts are a complete waste of time. They just repeat back to you what you tell them and book you in for the next appt.

Agree with pinky re not accepting meeting with the registrar rather than the consultant.

She will ask you if you have any questions.

Do you have any idea why your DS was born so early? Was it something to do with his health or an incompetent cervix etc. If it's the latter, well I'm sure you know they can attempt to put a stitch in to stop that recurring.

Personally I've declined further appts with my consultant as I don't find it helpful to recap all the things that could potentially go wrong with this very healthy pregnancy.

[poppy34]

depends on consultant - mine very helpful. I'd go prepared with a list of questions - unless you already know why as wmmc said I'd be wanting to chat through what risks are of this little one being premature, anything you can /can;t do to help , next steps (I was offered a scan at 24 weeks to check development/blood flow in placenta which can indicate early delivery issues ).

ask her if there are any additional checks you need (scans, bloods etc) - and how these can be fitted around your travel plans.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Bear in mind though that the consultant may say 'eerrr I need to check that and talk to you next time about it' if you go with any halfway sensible questions.

I went in and said: 'I have a factor X deficiency, what is the schedule for prothromobin tests during pregnancy in this area' and the consultant actually legged it and sent the midwife back in his stead who said 'umm dunno, we'll have to ask someone'.

Not that I'm cynical at all

[PInkyminkyohnooo]

Lol WMMC. Blinding the consultant with science. Quick hijack- there is a little 'thankyou' on its way to you

[whomovedmychocolate]

Oh you didn't have to - but thanks. Is it helping then?

[PInkyminkyohnooo]

It is, actually. I'm feeling much more confident now. See my notes with mw next week.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Fantastic. So happy to have been able to help.

[missingwine]

I agree with WMMC - at my 12 week booking in appointment the midwife made a consultants' appointment for me as she had put in my notes that I had large varicose veins, raised blood pressure in the past and I also have a wonky hip so she alarmed me by saying I may not be able to deliver naturally. As this is my first pregnancy, I was worried about what the consultant would speak to me about.
Consultant dismissed all of midwife's concerns and when I asked about delivery, he asked if I could squat or get on all fours easily; I said yes, he said no problem then and he didn't want to see me again.
So please don't worry

[Sassafrass]

My first meeting with the consultant I got checked over by a midwife and then saw the registrar to go over my notes from last time, she then went off and talked to the consultant and I got booked in for another appointment a couple of months later on.