What does consultant-led mean in practice?

[MyEasterEggs]

Hello, I’m currently 8 weeks, next scan at 10 weeks, after which I’ve been told I’ll be consultant-led. I have a history of recurrent miscarriage and lost a baby in the second trimester, plus I have a couple of other health issues, but I don’t have much information about what it means to be looked after by a consultant. Do you still regularly see a midwife? Is it just a few extra scans? Appreciate everyone will be different and things will change on a case by case basis but curious to know what it meant for others. Thanks 😊

Im consultant led (due in few weeks!) And it has meant seeing consultants rather than midwives up until about 25 weeks when community midwives kicked in, so I see them in addition to the regular consultant appts. To be honest I still attend same clinic at same hospital it just means other people sat with me are waiting for midwives and Im waiting for consultant. Not really sure how the content of the appts differs as this is DC1 for me!

Guessing it depends on reasons for being high risk/consultant led but for me its meant a few extra scans and appts, a gestational diabetes test, taking extra folic acid/vit d/aspirin and discussions around birthing options that are perhaps more medicalised (but that wont be the case for everyone!!)

For me it's still see the midwife regularly and then the consultant on top. Also growth scans from 28 weeks. Mines so the consultant can keep an eye on things and intervene early if needed. I see him every 4 weeks

I'm consultant led due to my age (a very ancient 41!) and the fact that I had an EMCS with DD two years ago. All it's meant so far (I'm 29 weeks) is a phone call with the consultant at 27 weeks to book in my ELCS. I believe I will be having growth scans from 30 weeks due to DD measuring small in my last pregnancy.

We have consultant input due to conceiving under fertility treatment. Still have all same midwife appts + 2 more consultant ones on top of that. Midwife said if all goes well, they won't add any consultant things on top of that

I was consultant led due to age. From 28'weeks I saw the consultant every 4 weeks and had growth scans. No concerns about growth but they were checking the placenta.

Before that pregnancy I had lost two babies and was happy to have the regular scans so they could keep checking all was ok.

I was recommended a week 39 inducement again due to risk factors. I really didn't want to be induced but I felt a level of comfort being in the hospital being monitored so actually I was happy

I am consultant led due to high BMI and PCOS so different circumstances. I am 28 weeks and have been seeing the midwife regularly as normal. I had one telephone appointment with the consultant at 20w but to be honest it seemed a waste of time. She didn’t say anything to me really, asked how I was that was about it. The call lasted a few minutes. Having growth scans at 28w, 32w, 35w and 38w due to high BMI which the consultant requested. I’ve had no other appointments through to see the consultant so I have no idea if I’ll be speaking/seeing them again. Maybe they are there to be contacted by the midwife if they have any concerns.

Best of luck with your pregnancy ☺️

Thanks for sharing everyone.

I’ve had IVF, am coming up for 39, and I’m being treated for immune, clotting and thyroid issues, so expect my consultant care will primarily be in the early stages. Will arrange my booking appointment with midwife for just after 10 weeks and go from there.

Wishing you all the best with your pregnancies. I can’t wait to be as far along 💛

I'm meant to be consultant-led but not seen anyone yet, I'm 34 weeks and only been seen by the midwife so far. Hoping to see them soon, as what they say is going to indicate my birth plan. I've had one extra growth scan at 32 weeks and I have another in another two weeks' time

For me it was one consultant appt at 20 weeks and then fortnightly scans and consultant appts from 28 weeks. I haven’t seen the midwife since 25wk as she said she didn’t want to be making me do both (which is fair!)

I’m consultant led due to age, slightly high BMI, 2 x previous c sections and high blood pressure following birth in my last 2 pregnancies. I have all midwife appts as normal and then have seen consultant after my 12 week and 20 week scan at the hospital instead of a midwife. Also have growth scans booked in followed by seeing the consultant at 32, 34 and 36 weeks but that’s been added in since my BP was high at 12 week scan and I’ve been put on labetalol, it wasn’t in the original plan.

Thyroid issues can become a bit of a nightmare after birth too just to warn you to keep an eye even after birth. Hope it all goes well

@SmartCar yes I’ve read about postpartum thyroiditis. I’m trying to get my levels checked every 4 weeks so will definitely be keeping on top of it!

I think it depends on trust and why you're consultant led! I'm consultant led this time due to a whole host of risk factors from my last pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, post partum haemorrhage, EMCS). I still see the midwives as normal, but have extra appointments with the consultant, and a couple of extra scans at 28 and 34 weeks to monitor growth and placental blood flow.