Twin consultant says I’m responsible for transferring my care?

[isthismummy]

Just looking for some advice...I’m really confused.

I’ve just come out of my first appointment with the twin consultant at Lewisham Hospital. I’m 22+4 with twins.

DH and I are moving back to the North of England next month. I informed consultant of this, assuming that at this point the hospital would transfer my care over to my new chosen hospital (in fact I was told this when I asked at 20 week scan)

Instead consultant told me that I have to do it all myself! Either by registering with a new GP as soon as I’m home and seeing them, or getting in touch with midwives at my new chosen hospital. I tried to discuss my concerns regarding gaps in my care etc if I have to do it that way, but she was frankly quite dismissive and sarcastic in her response. Almost scoffing at the idea it might be her hospitals job! She told me I just need to give my maternity notes to the new hospital!

Does this sound right to anyone? It just seems mad that she would spend ten minutes waxing lyrical about my high risk pregnancy and then tell me I’m on my own transferring my care. I’m really worried and stressed now.

You would honestly be better off framing your care in pregnancy as something over which you have control, rather than framing it as something other people have control over.

Just to try and reassure you a little - my understanding is that you will almost always be offered a C-section for twins, but it's completely normal that no one has talked to you about birth options at 22 weeks and doesn't mean they won't once you're further along and it's more relevant.

That's not right that at all @LisaSimpsonsbff - in most trust if DC/DA they will push for vaginal delivery and in straightforward MC pregnancies.

What type of twins have you got op - I would be concerned about missing scans if MC. Any chance you can go and register at your new go before you move to get the ball rolljng?

Sorry that I was misinformed then - I was told this by someone who had twins, but there must have been particular circumstances in her case, or her trust was unusual. Apologies for misinformation.

eurochick I am eternally grateful to be getting out of there. They have been pretty awful. Nobody listens to a word you say, and I’ve just found myself constantly repeating the same things to blank faces. At my 12 week scan the sonographer tried to date my pregnancy almost two weeks ahead. I tried explaining multiple times that it’s an ivf pregnancy and I knew exactly how far along I am. She still didn’t listen and put in my notes I was 14 weeks. I’ve also been given four different due dates by them The sarcastic way the consultant spoke to me yesterday really was the icing on the cake.

user up until now it’s been hard to frame my care as anything other than a bunch of people not listening to a bloody word I say. Apart from my midwife who I must say is really nice.

unintentional They are di/di twins. Health wise all had been pretty uneventful so far (apart from HG for first 16 weeks) I’m feeling pretty healthy and fit atm It’s just hard not to be alarmed when the hospital reels off the long list of things making me high risk (although I appreciate of course that they have to tell me) I suppose I could go and register beforehand at a push. It just wouldn’t be very convenient as it’s a long way to go just to pop into surgery. I’ll do it if I absolutely have to though.

LisaSimpson No need to apologise. I will be pushing with all my might for a c section though. I am utterly terrified at the thought of trying for a vaginal birth. It’s my first pregnancy and I’m nearly 40. Just so scared of all the things that could go wrong. I’m just praying the new hospital will see where I’m coming from.

I think you should prioritize finding a new GP (one you like!) in your new location and finding out as much as possible about the hospital where you will be giving birth (do you have a choice?). 22 weeks is really quite far along with an IVF twin pregnancy - you may be giving birth at 35/36 weeks and with a house live in between you probably need to get your skates on. Please don’t rely on the NHS to take care of you outside your actual medical care.

House move

I would phone the Practice Manager at the new practice and ask what documentation they will accept for registration. They usually want utility bills and bank statements with your address on, which will be tricky if you have just moved.
Make sure you know in advance what they will accept.

Honestly try not to read too much into the high risk thing. I'm high risk myself. I have a previous c section and high BMI, which is three risk points in total.

High risk isn't a guarantee that you'll have issues.

I'm monitored more closely for GD, pre eclampsia etc, and I have been injecting Clexane daily since 28 weeks (and will continue to do so until 6 weeks after the birth) BUT at 36+3 today i haven't had any major issues (other than HG and mental health stuff, which aren't linked to risk factors).