Am I "consultant led"? And what does it mean?

[MuddyWellyNelly]

Currently 13+4 with first pregnancy. Long time trying to conceive, eventually did so with donor egg IVF, from a 28 year old (I'm 40). I was on numerous medications from my treatment abroad, so when I got my BFP I went to see the GP to see if he'd prescribe them. Primarily this was to cut costs given how much we'd already spent, but also I wasn't sure I should be taking steroids and heparin without being under doctor supervision. The GP referred me to a consultant obstetrician at the hospital, and I got the medication. I thought that'd be it, but he asked me to come back (which happened this week), and now he's said he will see me again at 23 weeks, 28 and 32, and is arranging extra scans.

So far baby is fine, 12 week scan the midwife marked as high risk, but explained she was only doing so as it was such a precious pregnancy. Scan therefore was very thorough and sonographer said absolutely nothing worried her at this stage. NT screen has come back extremely low risk, I'm very low BMI, low blood pressure, very healthy in all ways. However the consultant told me my age made me higher risk for pre-eclampsia, GD etc. I think this is why he's seeing me again, and I'm happy to have the extra scans, but don't know what the other implications are. Does consultant-led differ in some way? Would I know if I was officially high risk? Is it likely to preclude a home birth? I'm not set on one, but want to keep my options open. Or are they just being especially thorough because I've had such a slog to get to this stage!

Clearly all a bit new to this! I'm not especially stressed about it, more curious; but it's a bit of a minefield to the uninitiated...

I was 30 and had standard Icsi IVF to conceive DS1. I was consultant led purely for having had an assisted conception.

Similarly I had a private prescription from my clinic for clexane and prednisone and low dose aspirin. My NHS consultant just used to look perplexed and say 'well if the clinic want you to have them that's fine with us'

All the best for your pregnancy and don't let the 'high risk' label worry you .. I think it's partly that the NHS haven't entirely caught up with how normal IVF pregnancies are.

Muddy, I think it's difficult in your first pregnancy/ labour to get your head around the fact that HCPs are making decisions about your care, and sometimes it feels like they are making the decisions without really knowing you, your health or your body. They are making decisions based on patterns they have seen in other women, and i found it hard to accept that . Now, having been through it twice before, I am finding it far easier to accept the decisions that are being made about my care, because they are based on my obstetric history. It's really much harder for anyone.. HCPs or yourself, to know how you are going to cope with pregnancy and childbirth when it is the first time you have done it. Which us why during the 80's and 90's home births were so hard to get for first time mums. So don't feel that you are wrong for struggling with that aspect of your care.

Bue that's a good reminder, I must remember that it's my body! But it's hard to resist in the face of medical expertise. Will keep pondering, and asking my midwife her views.

Oops missed the second page. Thanks again everyone, your advice and support has made me feel much better.

Congratulations! I had my first (and only!) son at 40 and he is now a happy and healthy 19-month old. I got the choice of seeing a consultant due to my age and I chose to do so. It was an extra reassurance for me, I think. The main worry with older mums is the ability of the placenta to cope. This is why it is not advised to go beyond 40 weeks if you are over 40. The placenta can suddenly fail and the results can be catastrophic. Of course, this does not always happen and many choose to wait and go beyond 40 weeks if there are no worrying signs. For me , I chose to go for induction at 40 weeks and I had a very straightforward birth with only gas and air and morphine with capable midwives and my partner with me in hospital. A healthy baby and mum are all that matters, in my view. Good luck and enjoy your pregnancy