What to expect from consultant appt

[Peaceloveandbiscuits]

I'm seeing a consultant tomorrow because of three things: mental health, hypothyroidism and BMI. What can I expect from the appointment? Will there be an examination? My MH has gone very downhill recently and I'm very tearful, so I'm already trying to steel myself for a lecture about my weight (see my other threads, though I'm hoping as a consultant he will have read my notes and be slightly more understanding? Am I a fool for hoping this?). I would hate a surprise physical examination to top it all off, so anyone who has had a consultant referral for any of these reasons, please let me know what happened and how it was. I think I'm a bit traumatised by a recent GP appointment. Thank you!

Hi Peace. I am under a consultant for an underactive thyroid. At the first appt they weighed me, took bp and gave me an ecg. The ecg was a surprise, i didn't know it would happen and the lady that did it needed a bedside manner course! I asked the consultant and he said it was standard, I think its because they fiddle with your thyroxine. Since my first appt they take blood to check my levels, weight and bp and slowly increase my thyroxine. All seems to be fine.
If your seeing one consultant for all three things I'd make sure you get all your questions on all of them answered to your satisfaction.
Good luck xx

Hi Peaceloveandbiscuits I was in a right state prior to my consultant appointment - mainly due to the lack of knowing what was going to happen.

I was referred due to age and weight (BMI of 37). All mine was was a discussion about why I was referred to the consultant, some extra appointments I have been asked to have - an extra growth scan at 32 weeks and a consult with the anethetist to discuss options during labour (having looked on line this is mainly to check an epidural is possible - but I wasn't checked, but my weight is all over not just around middle)

I did have the heartbeat checked as I was there - but seemed to be an aside. Also had urine and BP checked as it replaced a midwife appointment.

Hope yours is as plain sailing as mine was.

Don't worry - it'll be fine.

I saw a consultant due to my BMI - no lecture, just wanted to make sure I was eating a healthy and balance diet. He prescribed Fragmin (blood thinner injections) to guard against blood clots as I was at a slightly increased risk of blood clot.

Due to other factors, we also discussed how the delivery would be managed.

There was no physical exam.

Good luck!

Thanks very much all! An ECG? I never would have expected that. I'm low risk for blood clots, apart from BMI, and I do have quite thin blood already (bleed like a motherfucker whenever I scratch myself!) so I'm hoping to avoid having to take the blood thinners. We'll see!
Thank you again!

Remember Peace, you can decline any and all examinations. You can be offered an exam, but it is your decision to accept it.

Wow, I wasn't expecting that at all! He was super lovely and possibly the nicest doctor I've ever met! We just talked about my MH and at the end I asked if he wanted to discuss my thyroid or my BMI but he said no, he wasn't concerned atm! He didn't even weigh me! I'm so happy I could cry, but I won't thank you so much for the advice. I was very nervous!

So glad it went well. It's such a relief when that happens. Good luck with the pg.

So glad it went well. I remember getting in a state about them weighing me - ironically as I get weighed every week at a diet club, but I was terrified they were going to tell me off for losing weight - my booking in appointment was just after a trip to New York when I had not been as good as I should be by the time my consultant appointment came round 5 weeks later I had lost the bit I had put on!

Noodle I'm losing weight too, 2lbs since last month according to my Wii Fit! I'm not concerned, I think it's manageable and I'm not "intentionally" dieting, iyswim, just trying not to put too much on.
Thanks all for the support :)

I think its normal for those who are overweight to lose some in the first trimester (even without morning sickness - I was lucky and had none) as if you keep to your normal diet and don't go 'yeah I am pregnant I can eat what I like' baby takes a bit more out of you so you are burning up more calories.

As long as its not extreme lose its ok. I am now 29 weeks and have only put on about 10 lbs in total.