High risk & consultant appt what to expect?

[Yellowmelo]

Hello,

I am 21 weeks pregnant…first time mum after several miscarriages.
We have our consultant appointment this week regarding my pregnancy as high risk.
This is due to lupus and the risks that go along with pregnancy/giving birth. I’m on heparin and asprin to prevent blood clots.

I don’t really know what to expect and what will be discussed. Can anyone shed some light?
I just want a bit of an idea so I can try and prepare and think about the questions we can ask. I feel a little adrift on this with no real idea of what the conversation will entail.

i know that you might not have the same medical history but i wonder what high risk consultants appointments discuss?

thank you so much ❤️

Sorry for your losses. I was consultant led for a different reason but they did the usual checks the midwife would do and talked about different ways they collage the pregnancy and birth.

Thank you.
I do wonder if they’ll discuss my birth plan and a c section

I was asked if I was well, if I had had bleeding, and if I was planning a vaginal birth or a C-section. Previous gynae surgery was talked about and he looked at the letters from when I had the surgery. He confirmed my medication, and arranged a follow up a couple of months later after my first growth scan. It was very dull! But you may have more to discuss, questions, specific concerns etc. to go to through.

Ah thanks so much for your insight @BucketFacer thats super helpful. Dull is good 🤣
I think women with my condition are more likely to have a c section
I also have bowel disease so that could be a factor.
thank you so much as this really really helps x

I ended up with a booked section date with mine which I wasn't expecting.

Section rate is now around 50% for first time mums so tbh if they suggest a section you will be going down a route you may well have visited anyway. They should discuss the birth plan, monitoring beforehand and afterwards plus everything you usually do at antenatal.
it can be a bit overwhelming so try and remember that they have to give you all the information. Stats tell you what happened to 100 or 1000 women. Nobody can tell you what will happen to you and you can enjoy your pregnancy knowing risk is being managed as much as you are comfortable with.

Also re section rate - that sounds really high but it’s because of good monitoring and risk management as much as for any other reason. I can think of 5 first time mums I know in the last two years:

1. normal delivery though long labour
2. induced due to fetal size, fetal distress resulted in c section
3. induced as high risk, normal delivery
4. c section due to growth scan indicating concerns which led to pre eclampsia diagnosis.
5. post dates induction, c section as not progressing. 5 healthy mums, 5 lovely babies

I am high risk for other reasons but they went through the reasons behind my high risk status, what it meant in pregnancy, birth and afterwards.
They explained the treatment plans and support they could put in place.
We didn't discuss birth plans as my risk was mostly in pregnancy and after birth rather than the birth itself. I was under another consultant who did a post birth plan for me which was then followed. I'm at risk for getting unwell with poor sleep so it was recommended that I was in a single room rather than in a bay and had access to support overnight. I had to be in for 3 days due to medication so this was included in the plan.

Ah amazing thank you so so much for everyone’s insight and sharing their personal stories. This has massively helped understand the potential discussions during
My consultant appointment.

hadn’t even thought about post birth but I know I’ll have to take meds etc so this might be discussed.

I think I’ll sit down and write out a couple of questions and take all my pregnancy notes with me just to feel better.

thank you everyone