Confused by antenatal appointment

[EHB14]

Hi, hoping someone will be able to help with these appointments I’ve been sent by the hospital.

I’m almost 17 weeks and have had my first scan with no issues. I haven’t been given a 16 week appointment but I have been given some other appts.

31st of Jan (21 weeks) - consultant
15th of Feb (23 weeks) - midwife
19th or April (31 weeks) - consultant

They all say the same thing aside from who the appointment is with but do not state what they are for. It says in caps, please allow 2 hours for your ultrasound scan.

Really confused because they don’t match to the schedule in my maternity notes and no one has told me I need extra appointments. My notes at the last appointment said low risk also.

I found communication wasn’t great between midwife and consultants. The extra consultants appointments could be for so many things but you should have been told beforehand.
I would message your midwife tomorrow and/ or ring the number on the letter from the hospital to clarify.

As for the 2 hours for ultrasound, that sounds about right, loads of hanging around!

Around 23-24 weeks is a normal midwife check up.

Consultant led care can be for various reasons if you have any conditions that are additional factors when giving birth i.e weight, csection

Is this your first? I have a consultant second time round to discuss my 'mode of delivery' as I'll be requesting a csection.

Is there a number on the letter you can ring and ask for more clarification?

You’ll have to ask your midwife, it could be a number of reasons. As an example, I have a consultant appointment booked due to my low weight pre-pregnancy - my weight hasn’t been mentioned since my booking appointment and so I’m assuming no one is that concerned, and the appointment is just to check baby’s growth is as expected.

Thank you for your responses, I’ve not heard anything so I’m going to call them when they’re open.

The midwife said any extra appointments or consultant led due to BMI were for anyone with a BMI of 35 or more but this doesn’t include me. My BMI is 30.2 but they’re not concerned about it at all, I was also weighed late at 14 weeks. Wondering if it could be something to do with this or the fact its my first pregnancy.

Don't even get me started.
If you manage not miss one you deserve a medal

I get my appointments letters through:
The nhs portal
Royal mail
Text message

They are then moved, amended (ie venue change) or cancelled via a combination of:
The NHS portal
WhatsApp
Voicemail
In person at another appointment

My midwife couldn't tell me what specifically some were for and none of the letters are remotely specific. my recommendation is you go to all of them prepared to give blood and or urine.

23 week appt if at the hospital will be a glucose test because of your BMI
In my area you have a 16 week appt but it is over the phone and you must make it yourself via your GP. Phone your GP and see if you can make an appt with your midwife that way and you can check what the appts are for
Could 21 weeks be your anomaly scan?
You have obviously been put under a consultant for some reason and this could be down to medical history or BMI, there are lots of reasons so you need to discuss with your midwife really

Hmm, not sure about the glucose test. I have mine coming up at 28 weeks and had a letter that stated exactly what it was for and how to prepare for it. My consultant appointment however just appeared on my Badger Notes app with no notes, no letter, no comment from my midwife or anyone, but when I asked she thinks it's to discuss c-section which is my request. They then had to reschedule it and at that point I got a call from the hospital, again she didn't actually tell me the reason for the appointment (and I didn't ask) but I'm still assuming it'll be mode of birth discussion.

Ring your midwife or maternity hub to ask, they should be able to tell you xx

I've already declined the glucose test at my previous appointment, I'm heavy because of muscle mass not being actually overweight so I doubt they'd have invited me to it. The medical staff seemed to be fine with it and understood why I don't want it and not be concerned (apparently not everyone takes it up anyway). I also have no other health issues.

The birth plan appointment is something I've never heard of though, perhaps its that one. I'm definitely going to have to ring them.