Unsure why I have a consultant appointment?

[Jamwidge]

I have been sent an appointment to see the consultant at 19 weeks.

This is my 3rd child, both prev were normal deliveries with no complications. I have booked at a midwife-led unit where 2nd child was born.

I have had no mention of seeing a consultant when booking in with midwife or at my dating scan, my nuchal test is low risk and my bmi & blood pressure is within normal range.

I am seeing my midwife for 16wk appointment next week and I am currently waiting for the sister at the hospital to call back to explain why I have this appointment, although they have said it probably won't be today.

Should I be worried?! I have never seen a consultant before, I'm panicking now that there is a problem although I would assume they would contact me if there was, or that I won't be allowed to go the midwife-led unit (which is a standalone unit that will only accept low risk pregnancies)

Or is this routine and does everyone see consultants now?

How old are you? Could be a possible reason..

I'm 32 so I wouldn't have thought it was that either?

Hmm, probably not that then! Perhaps they're just being very thorough. Or it's a clerical error...if everything else is normal, try not to worry!

Hope they call you back soon to explain.

Sounds a little odd. No smoking or anything else at all you can think of?

Obviously some conditions will mean consultant led care pretty much automatically. For others one or two of the big long list of questions on booking in may mean a consultant appointment who will then do a risk assessment for you and either keep you as consultant led or refer you back to midwifery led if all is well. The hospital should be able to tell you what has triggered it.

No I don't smoke.
I did book in slightly late as pregnancy was unplanned, however wouldn't have thought the consultant would care about that!
I have had infrequent migraines in the past, that's all I can think of, but my medical history is the same as prev pregnancies.
I will try not to worry on the basis that if there was an actual problem, they would have contacted me and hope they don't take too long to call me back.

I'm pretty sure it's just a 'box ticking' exercise and nothing to worry about. Recently guidelines have changed and because all women are entitled to consultant led care to cover there arses midwives are referring patients to see the consultants at least once during their pregnancy whether they need/want to or not.
You don't have to see the consultant if you don't want to, but I would, can't do any harm!

Yes it can, it harms the bank balance.
Hospital is 26 mile round trip, plus car park

I didn't attend the consultants appointment I was offered in my last pregnancy. I was similar to you but I was 35, no health problems etc.

I ended up seeing a consultant this time as I have an underactive thyroid. I thought my appointment was with an endocrinologist not an obstetrician. I wish I hadn't attended as she wrote an absolute ton of shite in my notes & led me to believe I could use the MLU. I've got another appointment on 6/1. I'm only going to attend if the baby is still breech otherwise, I won't bother.

It's all box ticking & are covering instead of care IMHO!

Arse covering!

Thanks for your replies, it turns out that I am seeing the consultant because my blood tests showed I have low platelets, I have had a repeat blood test this week so hopefully that will improve.

I've seen a consultant routinely at about 20 weeks in every pregnancy. This time there's a reason, but the other times there wasn't.