What happens at obstetric pre-assessment?

[catlady3]

Hi all, feeling really stuck and am hoping you can give me some insider info!!!

Basically, I've had an appointment for obstetric pre-assessment booked in for several months. This has now been moved at short notice (without telling me, but that's another story). I would have a really, really, really (really!) hard time re-arranging work commitments to attend this new appointment. I don't want to come across as whatever, it's just that people are coming from all over Europe to a meeting where I play a fairly important part and this has all been arranged and booked based on my existing appointment. Cancelling that would be hugely embarrassing.

So I'm wondering, what happens at this assessment? (I'm just off the phone with the person at the hospital and did ask her about it, and she only said it was the only available appointment prior to my due date and it was important that I attend, she ignored my question and my concerns).

Is there any way I could skip this appointment, or maybe I could arrange something privately, or any ideas at all for alternatives? Anyone I could speak to? Have spoken to my midwife who initially said they would change it for me, but just now was told it's not possible after all. Any thoughts at all would be most welcome.

I realise I'm sounding overly dramatic, it is stressing me out so much. Sorry.

I had one because I was under consultant care due to hypermobility and liver issues.. do you have a high risk pregnancy?

I'm fat, everything else is normal, no other risk factors. Under shared care. What happens at that appointment?

It's fairly standard if you're under consultant care to have some appointments with them

I had one at 16 weeks where she had a chat with me about High BMI risks, talked over my previous pregnancies and discussed my strepB (she was my consultant last time), did my Blood pressure and wee testing. She also listened to baby. Was just a "routine get to know you"

Also had an extra one at 33 weeks following 2 of my growth scans where she chatted over the growth scans so far, did the usual checks, spoke about labour options (induction. At due date unless final scan shows any issues) and had a feel / listen into baby again

Will have my final one at 37 weeks following my last growth scan where she will make final call on induction dates. Review all ten scans to make sure everything is ok.

Mintypea5 Thanks for the details. That doesn't sound incredibly urgent, considering everything is going ok? The thing is, I had an appointment with her at 16 weeks, this would be around 27 weeks so I'm unsure what the added benefit of this would be - considering I'll have two midwife appointments in the meantime!

I thought that maybe this was an appointment with whoever is in charge of the epidural, to check they can access my spine. But that's based on my googeling which hasn't given me much by way of results... (Hence asking here.)

@catlady3 I've always been told to keep all my consultant appointments over midwife. If it's not convenient anymore can you call up and try move it? Better than just cancelling or not going.

If you have high BMI, it could be about that.

Midwife and consultant appts are different. They don't communicate to each other which I have found odd through my pregnancy.

*Minty" It's not that it isn't convenient anymore, they changed the appointment I had at short notice and the new appointment conflicts with work. They are saying they are unable to change it, I've tried.

My 28 week consultant appointment for high BMI was exactly like a midwife appointment and they are not seeing me again until 40 weeks. The anesthesist one is separate but haven't had that through and I am 31 weeks already.
Too fat to use birth clinic but fat enough for them not to be fussed about me until 6 days before my due date.

You need to throw your toys out of the pram a bit more! In the time before you're sure they will surely have other people cancel and rearrange appointments. I would try calling tomorrow and see if they have a more reasonable receptionist on the line. If not start asking about how they deal with cancellations and ask to be put on the list for cancelled appointments. If they're still unhelpful, ask how to make a formal complaint.

Pineapple, thank you, that's informative! And your comment about level of fatness made me lol, it is a bit insincere, isn't it?

Real, I feel so silly but finding it very stressful. It's incredibly difficult just getting anyone to pick up the phone! I've a midwife appointment next weeks so will raise it there, seems easier in person. Le sigh!