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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Why were you under consultant care?

52 replies

tweener · 14/07/2023 13:23

Casual Friday musings for me today, I'm pregnant with my second baby. Baby 1 was born 12 years ago so quite a big gap. I'm early 30s so not considered "older" for the purposes of pregnancy.
My last child was born by emergency section, had been breech for a long time and wouldn't turn so was booked for elective section. Unfortunately went into labour naturally before then so turned into emergency section. Had been having growth scans from around 32 weeks which is where they'd initially spotted baby being breech.

I'm wondering what the likelihood is of being midwife vs consultant care this time. I absolutely don't mind either way, but curiosity has got the better of me. It's still early days so not having my first midwife appointment for another few weeks.

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crabette · 14/07/2023 13:46

I don't have an answer for you OP! But just wanted to say I'm in a similar situation and had the same musings!

I'm about 6 weeks gone with DC2, having had DC1 a couple of years ago - bit of a traumatic labour with a few emergencies at the end, I know they were quite concerned about me. I'm 35 now, will be 36 by the time of birth and had wondered if I might be consultant led this time.

jadey1991 · 14/07/2023 13:47

Hey op congrats on pregnancy..
I'm currently pregnant with my 4th child.(18+2) I'm also in my early 30's.

I had my youngster Dec 2021. I gave birth naturally with him but ended up having a 3rd degree tear because he had shoulder dystopia. I was rushed to theatre and had 22 stitches.

However in my current pregnancy I am also under the consultant and wondering the same question as you. This pregnancy is high risk due to my previous as stated above.
Unfortunately I need to have a planned c section this time round 😪

Springingintosummer · 14/07/2023 13:48

Consultant led due to diabetes and a previous stillbirth.

Toottooot · 14/07/2023 13:50

Was over 35 - had 1 appointment with a consultant lasting less than 2 mins - pointless exercise.

Hellomaisie · 14/07/2023 13:52

I was consultant-led because I had pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy. It was discovered late and was fairly traumatic.

For my next pregnancy, the consultant was so caring and thorough. If you can push for it if you’re anxious, I would recommend. She really put my mind at ease and I didn’t feel worried through the pregnancy because I knew she was on top of it all. Lots of scans, lots of urine tests, blood pressure, etc and lots of appointments.

Sunnydaysarentagiveneveninjuly · 14/07/2023 13:55

Consultant led at age 20 with Dc2. Rare blood group +antibodies from previous mc.. CL every pregnancy after that. Actually moved hospitals to follow top consultant and used for case studies for his students!
He once took my bloods and I fainted. Never did for the midwives!

Mummyme87 · 14/07/2023 13:55

You will be consultant led due to previous CS but you should have usual care from midwife with a couple of consultant appts thrown in to discuss last birth, what you would like to do this time etc.

I have two children, 1st EMCS and PPH, 2nd Normal birth with 3rd degree tear and even bigger PPH. So definitely consultant led but will be a couple of appts, one about 18weeks and another around 32weeks, maybe another a bit later to book induction of labour

Chickenpastabowl · 14/07/2023 13:57

Fertility treatment, twin pregnancy, a traumatic birth, unusual antibodies (due to previous blood transfusion), large first baby. So not one thing more a mixture.

Original poster
tweener · 14/07/2023 13:58

Thanks for all your responses l.. I glanced back and went from 0 replies to 5 very fast 😂

Not anxious but I'm naturally the kind of person that wants answers to everything straight away and that doesn't work out well when these things aren't in my control lol. So at the minute I'm just wondering if because of prior emergency section/breech baby/growth scans they'd have me under consultant care or whether because I'm fairly young/last section was a long time ago/baby was born a normal weight they'd just leave me as midwife led.

Like I said, casual Friday musings haha. I don't have a huge circle of friends to talk about this stuff with and although my partner is great, this is his first baby so he's even less knowledgeable than me on these things.

Congrats to everyone currently pregnant, and I'm so sorry to the PP who was consultant led because of prior stillborn ❤️

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Original poster
tweener · 14/07/2023 14:02

Chickenpastabowl · 14/07/2023 13:57

Fertility treatment, twin pregnancy, a traumatic birth, unusual antibodies (due to previous blood transfusion), large first baby. So not one thing more a mixture.

Yep I saw very similar on the NCT website, I wasn't sure whether emergency section counted as "traumatic." It went great imo but the fact it was an emergency and not elective I didn't know if was automatically counted.

Like I said it's one of those things that can't really be guessed at but I have another 3 weeks til my first appointment and my mind is running away from me with all my questions lol

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Original poster
tweener · 14/07/2023 14:03

Mummyme87 · 14/07/2023 13:55

You will be consultant led due to previous CS but you should have usual care from midwife with a couple of consultant appts thrown in to discuss last birth, what you would like to do this time etc.

I have two children, 1st EMCS and PPH, 2nd Normal birth with 3rd degree tear and even bigger PPH. So definitely consultant led but will be a couple of appts, one about 18weeks and another around 32weeks, maybe another a bit later to book induction of labour

In your experience is consultant led a definite then with previous CS?

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mummatobeat33 · 14/07/2023 14:07

I was consultant based due to thyroid issues prior to pregnancy however as it was during covid I only ever spoke to my consultant twice on the phone for no longer than 10mins so not sure why they bothered. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Mummyme87 · 14/07/2023 14:07

@tweener yes it’s definitely is an indication for consultant led. But like I said, your care will all be midwife with a couple of extra appts for consultant, they don’t take over

Floralnomad · 14/07/2023 14:12

Consultant led with the first as I miscarried a twin at 12 weeks , had Hg throughout and various other issues . With the second I was always having a section .

Wfhandbored · 14/07/2023 14:20

Consultant led because of BMI, it was fine, literally just paid a closer eye. I was also short on a growth hormone and I was touch and go for pre-eclampsia. Its just an extra few visits and maybe a few scans

CoodleMoodle · 14/07/2023 14:21

I was both times, but the second seemed more of a formality as I think I saw the consultant once, maybe twice!

With DD it was because I had fertility issues (PCOS), was about to start treatment but fell pregnant just before. With DS it was because I'd had preeclampsia with DD, and a rough birth (episiotomy, ventouse delivery).

Original poster
tweener · 14/07/2023 14:22

Mummyme87 · 14/07/2023 14:07

@tweener yes it’s definitely is an indication for consultant led. But like I said, your care will all be midwife with a couple of extra appts for consultant, they don’t take over

Sounds like the decision is made on a very individual basis, so I guess I'll have to wait and see 😂

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Nursemumma92 · 14/07/2023 14:23

Your previous c section will likely put you on consultant led pathway however the reality is that you will usually have the usual midwife appointments and then have a consultant appointment to discuss whether you want ELCS or VBAC this time. Then depending on what you choose depends on whether you see them again.

Original poster
tweener · 14/07/2023 14:25

Nursemumma92 · 14/07/2023 14:23

Your previous c section will likely put you on consultant led pathway however the reality is that you will usually have the usual midwife appointments and then have a consultant appointment to discuss whether you want ELCS or VBAC this time. Then depending on what you choose depends on whether you see them again.

This surprises me to be honest, I know you technically request a C-section anyway but I didn't expect to have an appointment to discuss whether I wanted one or not. I assumed (probably incorrectly) that VBAC would just be the default assumption unless something else came up this time round.

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Original poster
tweener · 14/07/2023 14:26

** I know you CAN technically request a C-section

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Dyra · 14/07/2023 14:49

DC1: High BMI. Might also be risk of pre-eclampsia. A single 10 minute consultation with a registrar. Bit pointless tbh. Discharged back to midwifery led care until pre-eclampsia reared its ugly head.

DC2: High BMI, and the aforementioned pre-eclampsia. Single 20 minute consultation with the consultant. Told basically no point in remaining under consultant care (fine by me!) unless I develop signs of pre-eclampsia again (16% chance), and was returned to midwifery led care. Got pre-eclampsia anyway. Oh well.

I wonder what I would be if I had another? High BMI, previous pre-eclampsia x2, previous C-section, and technically "geriatric" (just turned 37).

Original poster
tweener · 14/07/2023 14:52

Dyra · 14/07/2023 14:49

DC1: High BMI. Might also be risk of pre-eclampsia. A single 10 minute consultation with a registrar. Bit pointless tbh. Discharged back to midwifery led care until pre-eclampsia reared its ugly head.

DC2: High BMI, and the aforementioned pre-eclampsia. Single 20 minute consultation with the consultant. Told basically no point in remaining under consultant care (fine by me!) unless I develop signs of pre-eclampsia again (16% chance), and was returned to midwifery led care. Got pre-eclampsia anyway. Oh well.

I wonder what I would be if I had another? High BMI, previous pre-eclampsia x2, previous C-section, and technically "geriatric" (just turned 37).

Sounds like they should keep you under consultant led care tbh! It does sound in your case they want as many under the midwives as possible really.

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cottonwoolbrain · 14/07/2023 14:52

Still birth, epilepsy and obstectric cholastasis.. take your pick

Goldenbunny · 14/07/2023 14:59

Baby 1: midwife led until it was picked up that baby's growth had slowed down.
Baby 2: was consultant led from the start due to the previous pregnancy.
Baby 3: was midwife led until baby's growth slowed down then I was sent to see the consultant.
Baby 4: consultant led due to gestational diabetes.

I've already been told if I have another baby it will be consultant led from the start.

Original poster
tweener · 14/07/2023 15:02

Goldenbunny · 14/07/2023 14:59

Baby 1: midwife led until it was picked up that baby's growth had slowed down.
Baby 2: was consultant led from the start due to the previous pregnancy.
Baby 3: was midwife led until baby's growth slowed down then I was sent to see the consultant.
Baby 4: consultant led due to gestational diabetes.

I've already been told if I have another baby it will be consultant led from the start.

Have you found consultant led to be any different or are you similar to previous posters where it was just a couple of extra appointments?

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