Is this a little pointless or am I just stupid?

[Warrickdaviesasplates]

I'm due DC3 in July so am currently only 26 weeks.

At the 20 week scan I was told that the placenta was low lying, not covering the cervix but very close so would need to be rescanned at 32 weeks to see if it's moved.

My midwife has now set me up with a consultant appointment at the hospital for next week. This is due to my retained placenta with DC1 (who is nearly 10 years old). I did have a similar appointment to discuss my birth options with my last pregnancy where I was just told I'd have to give birth in the normal birthing rooms (forgot the name) but couldn't go to the midwife led unit as I'd need a drip after birth to ensure the placenta came away.

All this is fine as obviously I don't want any complications or infections like I had after the birth of DC1. However, I've also been told that if my placenta doesn't move by 32 weeks then I'll probably need a c-section.

Does anyone know if that will be discussed in this consultation appointment as to me it seems silly to have this consultation now and then another after the 32 week scan. To me it seems like a waste of time.

I do feel a little like my current midwife doesn't really listen to me about any concerns I have so maybe I'm just second guessing her and should just trust the process as I'm obviously not the expert.

Thanks for reading (sorry for the length!)

It does seem a little bit redundant, but perhaps the concern is that you might run out of time for an appointment after 32 weeks? And if the placenta has moved, which seems likely, then you won't need a c-section so the discussion about vaginal birth will be relevant.

I would just mention the placenta placement to the consultant next week, it might be you can then arrange a kind of dual birth plan, one for c-section, one for vaginal birth and then at your 32 week scan you'll find out which you're going for.

It would probably make more sense to have a single appointment after your scan but 🤷‍♀️ I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Well, this way they can give you information on risks and benefits and you will have proper time to consider them before signing a consent form requiring informed consent to be valid.

Not at all. It's best to discuss all options and most low lying placentas do move enough before birth. I find it odd they've left it this late for you to see a consultant for complications in a previous pregnancy, I saw mine for the 1st time at 16+6.
One of our twins placentas was covering the cervix, I was scanned every 4 weeks just because of twins and it had moved enough by 32wk. She turned breech after that so I ended up with elcs anyway.

Thank you for the replies!

I didn't realise that there would be much information at this appointment I suppose. I can certainly see the benefits of having a dual birth plan as @BertieBotts suggested. I am pretty worried about this birth so having plans in place will probably calm me a little.

I didn't realise that they would give me information about the possible c-section @user1636853246842157 last time the appointment was so quick and I really didn't need to take any information away with me.

@Chelyanne how was your elective section? How did you find the recovery?

Do you ladies think it would be worth mentioning issues I had when labouring with DC2? He was quite a big baby and the midwives that delivered him told me to make sure to mention his birth should I have more children as another large baby could be risky. I did tell my midwife and she said "he wasn't that big so no need to worry"

My experience having DC2 is making me feel like perhaps a c-section would be best. However I had such a lovely experience having dc1 if it weren't for the placenta issues afterwards it would have been perfect, which is making me not want to give up on a vaginal birth.

Are you sure the scan is going to be a separate appointment? Different reasons but my obstetric consultant appointments included both a scan and consultation to monitor my placenta.

@SnuggyBuggy they did definitely say that the next scan was at 32 weeks then they'll book me in to see a consultant if it hasn't moved. I suppose they could mean they'll get me to see the consultant straight away after.

But the scan isn't for another 6 weeks as they booked that date on my 20 week scan and I got this letter last week about my appointment next week, so this one definitely won't be a scan as well.

I would expect them to scan and review as part of the appointment and if it's still low lying offer another one at 32 weeks to see if non c-section is a possibility.

Ah it might just be crossed wires then as they didn't know when they booked this appt that you would be having an extra scan?

I'd certainly mention anything you like! It's a good idea as not everyone gets to see a consultant so I'd def make the most of it :)

@Warrickdaviesasplates ELCS was so much better than I expected. I was in hospital for 7am and 3rd on the list for electives, our girls were delivered at 10:30 & 31. I had heavy blood loss as they were big (17lb combined) and kept in recovery for around 8 hours. I was able to get up and walk within 12 hours but felt like a lead weight, no pain relief needed. The next morning I felt fine and once the catheter was out I could walk down the ward for lunch (had room furthest away) and get a shower. Was discharged the evening after surgery, once home I was back doing most things straight away. My wound got infected a couple of weeks after surgery because my stitches didn't dissolve as they should but it was completely painless and sorted out with antibiotics and removal of the remaining stitches (2.5 inches worth). I'd always opt for a vaginal birth but wouldn't mind if I had to go cs again.
Good luck at your scan

Thanks to everyone who commented on this thread. Sadly the appointment was completely pointless and a huge waste of time.

The consultant just asked if I'd been told if the placenta was covering the cervix, I said it's not covering but apparently was right on the edge. She said "ok so we will need to scan you again, do you have that booked?" I told her when it was booked for and she said "ok so I'll book you in for a phone call appointment later that day"

And that was it.

I'm feeling a bit deflated about it tbh. I know it's not anyone's fault but I think I was hoping to get some information or just for there to have been a point to the entire thing. I just felt rushed back out the door. Dh had to take the afternoon off work to watch DS and collect DD from school and it takes over an hour on the bus to get to the hospital from my house so it was a full afternoon wasted for a five minute conversation that could have been a phone call.