What things are done differntly if you are classed as 'high risk'?

[memoo]

My midwife has told me that I am High risk but didn't explain if that means anything is done differently.

I understand the reasons for being classed as high risk, I have hyperthyroidism and have also suffered with bouts of depression.

Have booking in at hosptital next week

So does anyone know if things will be done any differently?

Probably you will under consultant led care rather than gp/mw care. I am high risk due to IUGR in first pregnancy. Despite this one being 'normal' I have had most of my appointments at the consultant clinic rather than MW. You may get more checks (eg. I had more scans).

The main downside is the waiting around at the hospital clinics !

Sorry If I am being dim but what is IUGR?

Don't mind having more scans

Sorry - its interuterine growth retardation - in other words, she didn't grow properly. So that's why I had more scans - don't know if your reasons for being high risk would warrant that though.

I got monthly appointments with my consultant and a obsterician with long waiting times ( take a good book and snacks!)

I also had to be in the labour ward for the whole of my labour and had to be mintored but i think that depends on your condition

also sometimes but not always you get extra scans

I think it means your pregnancy will be consultant led. Depending on what your condition involves will depend on your treatment plan. I see my consultant every two weeks, have more scans, cervix checked for cervical length, drug program that is monitored through the consultant and a hemotologist via two weekly blood tests as on blood thinners and a birth plan that depending on the progression of my pregnancy will determine c section or induction.
The other girls are right it means lots of waiting around in hospital clinics but I've had excellent treatment.

Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy x

The midwife will treat you a lot differently if she thinks a senior consltant is in charge. You will get very good service. You need it and deserve it of course.

It was amazing watching midvives jump to attention when they opened my wife's file to see the name of the most senior consultant in the hospital on it.

"Epidural madam - why yes of course right away madam. Just give me call if you need anything, would your husband like a cup of tea. Can I get you a matress to sleep on Sir while you wait?"

yep, consultant led, lots of scans, generally very good care but lots of waiting!

I would ask lots of questions of the MW as to what the implications of your specific risk factors are - how will they want to handle things differently, how those changes will benefit you and/or your baby and what restrictions those changes may put on you down the line. Once you understand what they want to do and why they want to do it you'll be much more able to consider whether you want to accept the recommendations they're making.

Yeah, appointments with the consultant after check ups at hospital, and much more frequent check ups. I was considered high risk with a twin pregnancy. There are lots of reasons for 'high risk' and those reasons will determine your specific care. I used to be scanned every visit and also monitored for half an hour every visit with a heart monitor on each of the babies and me. Not sure if that is what they would do in terms of your thyroid but, in general, more checks that a normal feel of your tum at your GP surgery.