Those of you who are Consultant Led Care, please step this way!!

[Tiggly]

Hi folks,

I am supposed to be having "consultant led care" but when I saw my consultant a few weeks ago she apologised as this wasn't what I had received and she would write a letter of complaint to the head of midwifery services on my behalf. Having only seen a doctor once throughout my pregnancy (now 27 weeks) I am wondering what I have missed? How many times should I have been seen? I think I have been very lucky. Can anyone help or advise?
tia
Tiggly x

Good luck with the anaesthetist clarabella they sent me to one at 28 weeks who didn't have a clue why I was there, she didn't seem to have a problem with my weight, and didn't do any checks. Didn't get the amount of pregnancies I had had right, and then sent me a follow up letter to tell me I had had a spinal block before, (which I had told her at meeting) and I was on my 4th preg.....which was closer than the 2 she said when I saw her, just needed to add 2 more hoping I don't need any now lol!

Coming in late to this discussion, but I see a consultant obstetrician due to complex medical history: diagnosed cervical cancer in 2009, had majority of cervix removed (in remission late 2009), cervical scarring (stenosis), IVF (thankfully worked first time around!), heavy bleeds up until 12 weeks. Saw her for scans/ exams every fortnight when I was discharged from infertility clinic at 9 weeks until 14 weeks, from then I started to see her weekly and will continue to do so until delivery (at 39 weeks by elective c-section).

My appts replace any appts with a midwife, although I did see her around 12 weeks for a booking in appointment and to arrange a nuchal scan. Midwife will take over my care once the baby arrives.

Hope this helps!

I didn't see my consultant until 36 weeks, which, given that the average gestation for twins is 35, wasn't brilliant...

I had consultant led care due to previous mc, hypothyroidism and blood pressure issues. But saw midwife as well for regular blood pressure/urine checks. In final trimester had appts every 2 weeks (alternating between consultant and midwife) and in last 6 weeks was seen weekly!

I am also under consultant care at Kingston due to Blood Pressure issues and a mild cardiac condition identified in my first pregnancy. (Am expecting DC2 in July).

I saw the midwife at 12 weeks, then the consultant at 16 weeks and will continue to see him every 4 weeks (And see the GP every 2 weeks inbetween). My first pregnancy was similair until about 34 weeks when I would see the consultant weekly. I would see the midwife at the start of each consultant appointment, for the urine/BP checks.

However - by saying 'see the consultant' - I normally saw a registrar on my consultant's team, I only saw the 'big guy' himself twice in my first pregnancy (once to discuss the need to induce early and another appointment when my symptoms were particularly bad.)

My experience so far has been that the midwives tended to panic and over-react to my symptoms but the Registrars were much calmer and less 'fussed' (If that makes sense!)

Hi everyone, thought i would join in- I am under consultant led care due to previous CS and high blood pressure issues- although i have to say that my blood pressure isnt helped by the fact that when i have to go to see the "consultant" i am never taken anywhere near my appointment time-

The first appointment i had with him should have been for 9.30am- i waited until 10.45am to be taken- no apology- just a sort of "laugh" when i mentioned it- as if "how dare you"- my 2nd appointment i was almost 2 hours late- to which i was told i was "lucky" that was all i waited when i questioned it.

I really apprecite and understand that the hospitals are busy places but i am also busy, being that i have a 2 year old son to think about and cannot arrange childcare long enough to cover these appointments and we are not allowed to take any children with us to appointments (not that i would like to anyway as he is only 2 and runs riot) but at least give me a realistic appointment time

oooooffffffffffftttt RANT OVER !! LOL !!!

Good luck lovely ladies, hope all goes well for each and every one of us xxx

mummysweeangel I have to agree about the terrible waiting times - I try to prepare myself by always 'expecting' the waiting time to be about an hour after the allocated appointment slot. It is very, very often even longer!

I also joke to the doctors that if they wanted to lower my blood pressure they could just lower the hourly rate of parking outside...no matter how much parking time I buy, I always seem to end up praying I don't get a ticket because the waiting or follow-up tests take so long!!!

And then they wonder why my Blood Pressure is always lower at my GP check-up

Oh it really is terrible the length of time they have you waiting around- definetly raises my blood pressure as i end up feeling totally aggitated worrying if i am going to be able to pick my son up on time etc

the hospital i need to attend is quite a bit away from where i live so its the travelling time aswell..

the joy of alll joys (looking forward to one of those in a few months :) )

Its been good reading everyone elses experiences of this.

I have a rare genetic liver and lung condition which I have a 1 in 2 chance of passing in on to my baby so I had my first check at 8 weeks and then every 3 week now I see someone everyweek if its Midwife or consultant and sometimes he brings his registra as well so shes aware of my case. Also got appointments with gentic councilor, physio due to SPD and will see an anesistist before they will discuss the best birth options for us.

I am so glad of the reasurance of the extra checks and scans but being a case study makes me think its for there benefit more than mine sometimes and I get a little overwhelmed.

Sorry moan over!