Maternity Consultant Appointment

[PrayingandHoping]

What should I expect?

I have an appointment booked with a consultant at 18 weeks. I have to see a consultant as currently I'm not deemed low risk as it's an ivf baby and I had a couple of blended weeks 6 and 8.

My midwife told me to expect that as long as nothing else happens in between I'll be bounced back to being able to be midwife led. 🤞

But what will the consultant do/check at the appointment?

I had a consultant appointment at 23 weeks because I previously mentioned to my midwife that I wanted a c section - the consultant and I had a general chat about how the pregnancy was going and then a discussion about the pros/cons of a c section. It didn't last very long.

Do you have a clotting disorder / other complications for example PCOS with a BMI close to 35? If so the consultant may decide to keep you.

I suggest you show them your letters from the clinic and any test results. It’s far, far safer for you to be with a consultant if you have complications than a mw.

@Teddybear45 no none of the above. Healthy BMI well within range and reason for the ivf was unexplained. Prob the reason why the midwife predicted I'll be bounced back!

Will take all my letters from the clinic though as it was private so the likelihood of them having received anything is prob slim as it will have had to go through so many inboxes!

Yes true. Did you get Level 1/2 tests? If so then def bring the results. If not then you may want your GP to do the Level 1 tests beforehand because that’s what diagnoses the complications usually.

Not heard of the term level 1/2 tests. Not sure what they are? I've had every blood test and fertility test under the sun though 😂

What are those tests for?

I’m consultant led with an ivf baby.

First meeting was basically a quick check over (done by a midwife) and a review of my notes.

I’m staying consultant led, because I have a number of complicating factors. But if it had just been the IVF I think the consultant would have let me have the choice to go midwife led (judging from friend’s experiences).

Level 1 (and 2) testing is expensive so many IVF clinics only recommend it if you fail 3 IVF cycles. But Level 1 testing can sometimes explain unexplained infertility by finding Clotting disorders / thyroid antibodies / thyroid issues. I had unexplained implantation failure with seemingly great embryos when the disorder diagnosed at the time should only have affected conception. Level 1 / 2 testing happened. My thyroid and clotting disorders were found and I got pregnant with the right treatment.

Some clotting disorders only start to kick in in the second or third trimester so it’s important to be tested. If ruled out then you can relax!

I've def had thyroid testing but I don't think I've had the clotting one. I've been lucky enough for my first cycle to succeed. But I will go back and look at what I can find.

Will bring that up with the consultant when I see him. Thank you. Very useful.