Why do I have a consultant appointment after 12 week scan??

[GemSmith738]

Is this normal? I have my scan tomorrow and a consultant appointment straight after! Worrying a little, what will they be doing?

You must be consultant lead. Don't worry, it's nothing to worry about. Normal to have the consultant appointment at same time as 12 week scan - it's just for convenience since that's when you're in the department.

As to why you are consultant lead, there are loads of reasons. High BMI, age, previous c-section... anything that makes your pregnancy slightly higher risk than normal.

Did they not say anything at your booking in appointment about why you might be consultant led?

I was told I would be consultant led and have my appointment a couple of days after my 12 week scan.

I was given one as age 38 & had no health issues.

Have they not talked to you about it? You’ll be having consultant lead care, but they could easily discharge you from it tomorrow if they are happy. I was discharged at 38 weeks!

Any mental health history?

I was consultant led for having anxiety as being pregnant can heighten this, even though I was managing they still wanted me to meet with a consultant.

I had one meeting and the consultant agreed I was coping fine and left the appointments open for me to arrange with her if I wanted to. I Personally didn’t need to arrange one for myself again but I did develop placental issues later on in my pregnancy that then became high risk and needing a c section so I saw a lot of consultants then.

I had one because of hypothyroidism and previous mental health.

Thanks all for your comments, they never mentioned it at my booking appointment so that's why I'm starting to worry. I am in good health also.

Mine was due to maternal age and previous 3rd degree tear

Do you have a high bmi?

Are you over the age of about 27 op? I was consultant led with DC2 due to having a 'geriatric pregnancy'! I was only 29!

@AgathaVanHelsing was that recently?! That's mad considering the average age is over 30 for a FTM now!

Are you quite short? I know someone who was consultant led due to her (small side of normal) stature.

@AgathaVanHelsing that's very strange! Usually geriatric pregnancy is over 36.

OP check your notes it might say in there. My midwife discussed why I would be consultant lead at booking, odd yours didn't!

Are you sure it's not just for them to take your bloods for the tests? Here they give you the scan then you head to another part of the hospital for bloods

I knew I would be consultant lead before I was even pregnant due to issues in my first but my scan letter didnt say anything about a consultant appointment and as far as I knew I would be seeing them at 32 weeks. It was only when my DH went to ask what we were waiting for after the scan that I knew. As it turns out I saw the consultant midwife instead.

Could be for one or more of a long list of reasons, without knowing your medical history it's hard to advise tbf.

I had a letter out of the blue to see a consultant after my 12 week scan. No indication of what it was for at all, and I have no health issues so I really worried about it. It was just because I'd mentioned I'd suffered with a period of anxiety the year before and they were just checking how I was doing.

Thanks again for your replies, my BMI is 'perfect', I am 27 but surely that's not old?! 😮 It was a separate letter that came along with my scan letter, 'consultant appointment has been made for you to attend', it says to allow 3 hours also

I was consultant lead because I was anaemic.... there are so many reasons it could be.

They really should have told you, it shouldn’t be a surprise. It should be written in your notes at least.

I was given a consultant appointment second time round due to traumatic birth first time. Could this be it?

This will be my first baby, all my notes are online and I've checked them several times now to see if it says anywhere. I guess I'll have to wait and see, will let you all know how it goes 🤞

Family history? They ask lots about your family in the booking appointment.

I was consultant led with my second. They didn't say I would be at the booking scan so I was surprised to get the letter (it turned out because it of my labour with my first).

It would stop a lot of anxiety if they said to expect a letter from the consultant at the booking scan.

We can keep guessing but ultimately you should have been told to expect it and why. I hope you get answers tomorrow

I’d be more concerned if they made the consultant appointment after having had the scan as id be worried something was wrong. If it’s straight after the scan then it could be for any reason. Don’t worry, go and enjoy seeing your baby bounce around for the first time

@codenameduchess it was only four years ago, it was right there in my notes.

But then they seemed desperate to find something wrong with me. I had two GTG the the consultant insisted on despite feeling fine and results being returned as perfect each time. My BMI was a little high but nowhere near obese (unlike now )