Been told no more appointments after 38 weeks? Is this normal?

[catgirl30]

I had an appointment with a consultant at 38 weeks as they had wanted to keep an eye on my baby's growth. Wasn't particularly helpful, refused to tell us which position baby was in or if it was engaged. Also when I asked a question he informed me "I don't know, I'm not a midwife" and directed me to mumsnet. This is a consultant obstetrician FYI.

Anyway, baby was measuring fine, when we were finished he booked me for an induction on 9th June in case I go over, handed me my notes and said they wouldn't be seeing me again, no need for a 40 week unless I "wanted a sweep".

I was 40 weeks yesterday and feel like I've just been left to drift until my baby comes. Surely they should be giving a final check up on/around the due date? Has anyone else been dismissed like this before their due date? Feel a bit tearful this morning, obviously fed up waiting but also kind of unhappy with the experience I've had with some of the maternity staff. Nobody has talked to me about signs of labour, nobody talked about pain relief (had a telephone appointment with an anaesthetist last week and she had to explain all the pain relief to me). Nobody has explained what a sweep involves.

To the original point - anyone else been dismissed at 38 weeks?

that doesn't seem right - is this your first baby? You should have an appointment at 40 weeks - can you try and book in with a midwife? www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/your-antenatal-appointments/

In terms of understanding about labour etc, I've found that the Tommy's website is really helpful and clear, and has been more useful than most of the books I've read as its clear and concise! I am yet to go into labour so we'll see how useful it is in practice! www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/birth

This website is also a good one for reading up about pain relief options www.labourpains.com/home

All the best OP x

Are you not still having midwife appointments outside of the consultant-led stuff?

I think he just means you won’t see a consultant again.

In my local hospital we get discharged from the consultant at 38 weeks. I was meant to see my midwife at 40 weeks but baby come at 39 weeks.

It's my first baby and I was categorically told no more appointments. I even repeated back to him, no more appointments? No, we won't need to see you again. What he SHOULD have said was "we (consultants) won't need to see you again, but make your 40 week midwife appt on the way out".

Rang the unit and have an appointment for first thing tomorrow morning. Have noticed also that on the scan printouts he provided last time, there are none of my details including name and DOB, it has my gestational age as 35 weeks instead of the 38 that it was, and the estimated due date as 22nd June rather than yesterday.
Thinking he has either been incredibly sloppy or has c*cked up somewhere.

I know I seem like a ranty hormonal pregnant lady, but I'm a first time mum, don't know how things are supposed to work, and am already scared and anxious enough 😔

You're not being over the top, that's pretty rubbish. I'm glad you've got a midwife appointment sorted. It might be worth making a complaint to PALS?

Ah that's a bit crap. My midwife makes my next appointment when I'm in with her so I always have one booked. Seems a bit disorganised if you're having to chase! Glad you're seeing someone on Mon.

Sorry, tomorrow (not sure where I got Monday from!)