Difference between Consultant care and Midwife care?

[LadyOfWaffle]

Saw the 4th different midwife on Monday (my 'actual' midwife) and it turns out the whole time I should have been having consultant care - who I am seeing this morning. What is the difference between the two? How would my care have differed? Does it matter that I didn't get it for the first 36 weeks, or is it only important towards the end? Really no idea what to expect today...

I think it depends why in the 1st place they ave said you should have been recieving consultant care - there may be some differance in the tests and monitoring you have recieved, hope today goes ok for you

Not really sure TBH, MW just said I was high risk. Maybe because of my weight? I am bigger this time, but have only put on 2 kg in 36 weeks... I doubt it's because of last time because that wasn't a pregnancy issue as such (DSs cord in a knot, induced, episiotomy, ventouse, major hemmo-thingy (bleed), needed (but didn't have) blood transfusion etc.) Baby was big at the 20 week scan, but MW doesn't deal with scans so doesn't know that and the tape measuring is tallying with dates.

Hmmm not sure, hope appt goes well

I would ask why you have to be consultant led care in the first place. I think it is poor communication on your midwife's part if you don't know.

You get the same checks at consultant led visits and it is usually midwives who do them. The consultant (or his junior) may want to monitor things more closely eg extra scans, glucose tolerance tests etc. depending the reason for consultant care.

There really isn't that much of a difference except docs may choose to intervene more

How did you get on?

Hi LadyOfWaffle

My sister in law was under consultant care 2nd time around due to birth complications the first time (big baby, ventouse delivery) so it might just be your birth history rather than anything to worry about in either of your pregnancies as such. As mears says, best to ask and it's bad that they haven't been clear with you.

Good luck!