What should I expect? First Appointment with Consultant

[Missgiraffe1]

At my booking in appointment, I was put on the red pathway. I think this was mostly because of having a low-ish BMI of 18.5. I'm 5' 1/2" (that 1/2" is important to me!) and small-framed, so not really underweight as such - in my opinion anyway. The midwife also mentioned 'because of your history' . That history is one ectopic (April 2010) and one blighted ovum (May 1011). Since I had already had an early scan before this booking in appointment, and a teensy baby was all present and correct, with it's wee heart beating away, I wouldn't have thought the history would be all that relevant to future care - IYSWIM.

So, I will be 15 weeks on Sunday, and have an appointment with a consultant on Monday. Does anyone know what happens at this appointment? Will it just be urine testing, bloods (maybe?) and a feel of the bump? Oh, and hopefully a listen to the heartbeat!! My DD ws 15 in June, so it's been a while for me!!

I know I should be grateful that they are erring on the side of caution if they felt there was a need to, so am not annoyed at all, I am just wondering how this differs - if at all - from the midwife appointments. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi MissGiraffe, I haven't had my first consultant appt yet, but have it this afternoon so will happily report back what happens!

I'm 20+3 and my mw said they would do urine and bloods today plus see the consultant.

Although I'm consultant led for different reasons (certainly not because of having a low bmi ). DS was born technically Prem at 36+6 and I had a third degree tear / forceps.

But will happily report back. I think the consultant can choose to put you back in mw led care if they think you're no longer high risk?

Let me know how it goes as we are also under the care of the consultant and at just of 16 weeks have yet to see him/her.

Thanks Biscuits Will look forward to hearing about your experience. Hope you hear your little'uns heartbeat. I can't wait to hear that again!

Will also report back after Monday Yummy

My mw didn't say anything about what would happen next, apart from the fact I'd get a letter about my consultant appointment in due course. She marked crosses on a sheet in the back on the notes in certain weeks, but then crossed some of these out, and put them in different weeks. It's a bit of a mess. She also then said they'd be subject to change dependant on consultant. I feel a bit uninformed, but I know should take this into my own hands and make a point of ensuring I know what the plan is after Monday. I haven't had any contact with anyone since my booking in appointment on 29th September. I had my 12 week scan on 19th Oct (well, 11+3 as is turned out to be) and the wait between appointments feels so long.

I was "low risk" consultant care (if that makes any sense at all) Had a cervical procedure prev that could in theory lead to premature birth (I'm 39+2 so it hasn't!!!) My first consultant ap was when the "team" were very busy and a couple of drs down so perhaps not a typical example!! I was seen by a midwife who took bp, urine sample and wt. Then a very junior dr came in mubbled something at me, scribbled in my notes then handed me ALL the paperwork my GP had previously sent to them including my full medical history (interesting reading!!) Bit of an anti climax!!
I was seen later (32 weeks) by consultant and following above midwife,bp, urine, wt stuff, had a nice chat with him. He had a feel of bump. Then sent me on my merry way.

you may well not see the actual consultant, but anyone from his/her team. chances are the appointment will be the same as if you were under midwife led care - ie urine, bp, blood tests as necessary, quick feel/listen in.

you are under the consultant because of your history but they won't necessarily get involved with day-to-day appointments unless something crops up.

Back from our appt. basically it tied in with our 20w scan so we had that first then the doctor went through the scan paperwork, looked at my notes and decided that I could go back to mw led care. He took my blood pressure and. They checked the urine sample. No bloods taken this time. They weren't worried about DS being born early (it was only a day or too) and put in my notes that I should have an experienced mw for the birth to check how the tear is holding up and if I'd need an episiotomy.

Hope that helps xx

I had my first consultant appointment at 16wks - I have a clean bill of health but was referred for being 'elderly' ie over 40.

The appointment was under-whelming and over in about 10mins; MW took my BP and weight, then I spoke to the registrar (consultant not to be seen, though they said this might be the case in the appointment letter) who went through my medical history and scribbled on my notes and that was it.

My registrar did say they would want to induce me early (at or before due date) and scan at 28 and 34 weeks as I am 41 years old, but doesn't sound like this will apply to you

Hope it all goes well.

Thank you for all your replies. Seems it will be a fairly run-of-the-mill appointment then. I suspect I'll be back to mw care after it, all going well. (and my 2 breakfast/2 lunches policy during recent weeks means I definitely don't have a low-ish BMI anymore!)

Biscuits that's interesting about your tear. I don't know how many stitches I had first time araound, but I remember several people being consulted on how to put it all back together! I know the tear was bad, as they said so, but they didn't use any of the 'second degree/third degree' language at the time. I had a few years of pain and tenderness around the area, but was too shy and scared to do anything about it. It's something that has been worrying me a bit (although I suppose after 16 years, it should be well held together!). I will mention it to the consultant.

Best of luck with all your pregnancies!

Said I'd update incase it helped anyone. Well, appointment was ok, reason I was referred was to do with being asthmatic, not BMI or history - that's not what MW said at booking in appointment. Saw a mw first, then the consultant came in. One of the medications I'm on (Singulair) is relatively new so they're slightly concerned that there is no info on its safety. I was told to keep taking it for the time being whilst they look into it further.

And, I mentioned before that I felt the time between appointments was so long?? They said I was an appointment behind as a referral letter seems to have gone missing. Great! But no harm done I suppose.

Handed over pee, had BP taken, got first Bounty pack and heard heartbeat Said I might have extra scans later on as I have a heart-shaped uterus (or bicornate as it's technically known) as they might need to check how baby is lying. Apparently, trying to turn a breach baby isn't as easy with this shape of uterus.

Thanks Missgiraffe1. xx