1st consultant appointment - high risk

[OneKhakiDreamer]

Hi all

I was deemed at high risk pregnancy at my booking appointment due to my Inflammatory Bowel Disease and will have a consultant appointment before I’m 12 weeks. I was wondering anyone who had similar what was discussed at first appointment?

is it just creating a care plan or will they do a scan also?

thank you xoxo

[QueenOfWeeds]

I was high risk due to a pre-existing medical condition (not the same as yours). It was my opportunity to ask questions about any additional risks during pregnancy/labour, precautions I should take, changes to medication (in addition to those already advised by my midwife). They also booked me in for additional scans later in pregnancy to monitor the baby.

I wasn’t supposed to have a scan, but I had got myself so worked up waiting for the appointment that I burst into tears, and the lovely consultant went and got their little portable scanner and did one for me in the consulting room to put my mind at ease.

[OneKhakiDreamer]

@QueenOfWeeds

I was high risk due to a pre-existing medical condition (not the same as yours). It was my opportunity to ask questions about any additional risks during pregnancy/labour, precautions I should take, changes to medication (in addition to those already advised by my midwife). They also booked me in for additional scans later in pregnancy to monitor the baby.

I wasn’t supposed to have a scan, but I had got myself so worked up waiting for the appointment that I burst into tears, and the lovely consultant went and got their little portable scanner and did one for me in the consulting room to put my mind at ease.

Awww that’s so nice of them. I’d love a scan as feeling nervous but I have my dating scan next week so at least it’s not long to wait.

Really helpful to hear what happened at your consultant appointment.

this is my 2nd pregnancy but my first was very low risk with minimal appointments so this is feeling very different already and overwhelming as there is lots going on from this side and my medical team for my IBD.

just hoping some reassurance!

[QueenOfWeeds]

I had my dating scan 45 minutes after the consultant appointment 😂. I felt a bit like I was cheating but I just got myself so worked up.

Hopefully you will have a named consultant - I found that really useful because I didn’t have one regular midwife for those appointments, and I was reassured that there was a least a semblance of consistency.

[Isitisit]

Not much to be honest. Just went through any medical issues and how they might impact. They also referred to the anaesthetist to discuss how my medical conditions might affect options there. Scan was done at 6 weeks with my booking appt but isn’t as standard when seeing consultant. Having said that my hospital are doing a lot of training so a couple of times when I’ve seen the consultant they have got the Jr drs to do a quick scan as part of their training so I have a very thoroughly scanned baby. 😂

[SweetPeaGirl]

I have Crohn's, and first consultant appointment is about them understanding your disease, how you're doing now, any scarring or surgeries they need to be aware of, and the meds you're on. They'll likely also use this as a point to write to your gastro so they can look after you properly.

They also usually offer growth scans (from 28wks) with IBD, so that will likely be discussed.

In my experience it's really just a lot of form filling and ticking boxes, to get all your IBD details in their system. They wouldn't usually do a scan, unless you were booked in for your dating scan on the same day.

[LegoBear84]

Hello!
I've got Crohns and was consultant led for my first pregnancy 6 yrs ago, and expect to be for this one (currently only 5 wks).
I had extra scans which was really reassuring. Consultant was there to answer any questions I had. I was very lucky to have a smooth pregnancy experience and the consultant was able to sign me off from being consultant led at 37 weeks which meant I was able to have my little boy at a midwife led unit (attached to the hospital).

[JRTfan]

I am consultant led due to IVF and being 40. Haven't actually seen a consultant through had an extra appointment at about 14 weeks where I saw a midwife for the standard checks then a registrar but he just asked me the same questions I'd already been asked at my booking appointment. For me though I didn't need anything additional just get a growth scan at 32 weeks and 36 weeks then discuss induction for 40 weeks..I've got another consultant appointment next week at 28 weeks but not sure what that will entail I think just ensuring all is still ok..