Received a letter for consultant appointment, don't know why

[Blownaway23456]

I've received a letter from my hospital. Currently 12 weeks, appointment is for 16 weeks. It says it's for a midwife episode appointment, but then says the appointment is with a consultant, no consultant name given though. I already have my 16 week appointment booked in with my local midwife team.

This has come just after my 12 week scan, and screening blood test. I don't yet have the results back from that, so I am worried this means that has shown something bad- however if that's the case, is it likely I'd have to wait a month for that? It seems too long if there was something medically concerning.

I've obviously tried ringing the number on the letter but nobody has picked up this afternoon, and I then go in circles with switchboard and departments, with nobody that has been able to help.

So I just wondered if anyone had any insight or suggestions as to what this could mean.

Hey OP. I’m consultant led. Not a bad thing as you get more checks and scans etc but could be referred to consultant for many reasons. Age, high BMI, issues in previous pregnancy like GD or big baby.

If it was anything worrying I don’t think they would wait another 4 weeks. Time would be of the essence. If you are really worried you could have the harmony screening blood test done privately.

Thanks for the reply. It might be because of previous miscarriages in my case then I think. I'm just surprised as I've had lots of appointments (early epu ones, general booking in ) already and nobody has mentioned me being consultant led.

Did someone explain to you they were recommending you be consultant led/how did you find out? It just seems put of the blue in this case with no explanation.

It's entirely possible that the initial tests/booking in appointment have flagged something that puts you on the consultant pathway... but no one has got around to calling you to tell you that. As you say, if it was anything truly bad, you'd have had a call first.

So, for example, in my case, I got sent off to the consultant pathway pretty early because of the combination of being a bit older, a challenging first pregnancy and birth, PCOS and, I'm sure (they didn't specify this) because I was overweight.

If there was anything specific in the blood work etc, you'd definitely get a call pretty promptly. So I know it's hard not to worry but try not to.

Thanks. That's what I'm hoping. I'm expecting the screening results some time this week so I think I will wait for those and then see about a private one.

aah, I see we cross posted. Yes, if you've had multiple miscarriages, then yes, this would make sense I'd think.

I don't know if this is officially true, but I think the midwives don't say anything early on because they don't know if and when you'll get put into a consultant pathway. Also, I think ti's a form of jargon - eg did they say anythign like, "well want to monitor you a bit more closely" which probably means, "via a consultant led approach" but they don't specify it as they think that's obvious.

Thank you @GerbilsForever24 that all sounds sensible and logical. I appreciate the reassurance.

The midwife didn't mention anything extra but i hope it's just a case of things not quite joining up, with a phone call or letter to explain.

I will ring my local midwife team tomorrow in the hope they might be able to confirm.

I'm a bit on edge because when I had my screening bloods taken, the midwife said they would most likely call me, when I understood they usually only call if it's bad news. So I'm just going down different anxiety tracks at the minute!

No they didn’t explain I would be consultant led until I got a letter 🙄 Then told me I was consultant led due to my age and BMI. Infact they don’t tell me half the stuff or meaning of things I have to google them my anxiety is in overdrive 😩

I don't think it will be anything to do with your screening results.
I had a consultant appointment come through too with my 12 weeks scan and haven't even had my screening tests yet.
I'm unsure why I'm consultant lead, the only thing I can think of is that my last pregnancy was IVF and he was measuring quite big x

Are you having a c section/ had a previous one? I had a consultant letter come through at a similar time to discuss the cesarean. It didn't mean I was consultant led and midwife didn't tell me I'd be getting an appt. It was more going over what happened with my emergency c section, the risks of having one and getting me booked onto the list to have a planned one.