Do I have to see the consultant if I can't see a reason to and can't get there?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

I had a growth scan yesterday, everything fine, baby absolutely average. Also had the usual checks, urine, blood pressure etc. All fine. I've had no problems in this pregnancy. While I was there they asked me to come in again two days later to see the consultant, but couldn't give me a reason why other than "because we need to see you at 34 weeks"

I can't drive, my partner works over an hour away in a brand new job and had to take time off on monday to take me to the scan, there's no-one else who could take me, and the bus journey is an hour through several villages, which I wouldn't mind doing if it was just me but I couldn't do it with my paddying toddler, plus there's a long walk to the hospital at the end, and my bump/spd really hurts when I walk long distances.

I said at the time I couldn't get there (for an unnecessary appointment just so they could tick a box) but they kept saying "you have to, we need to see you at 34 weeks" but couldn't give me a better reason.

Surely it's my choice to accept their care or not, not their right to demand my attendance no matter what, like a naughty child?

Frankly, I'd have been tempted to ask if they couldn't arrange for someone to come to me! They ought to have been able to elaborate. Maybe it would be worth calling your midwife - she might be able to clarify things and negotiate on your behalf?

Call and ask them if the consultant can do a phone consultation. Explain your difficulties getting to the hospital.

Why are you under consultant care? Perhaps they feel they need to discuss the mode of delivery at this stage? It does sound rather unnecessary otherwise. I have had what feels like hundreds of unnecessary appointments, but fortunately it's just one short bus ride away for me. I would be tempted to cancel it if I was you, or a phone consultation if they will allow it. But you probably will have to go back at lesat once more before due date in any case, so will it be any easier for you to go back at 36 weeks?

Dont want to worry you but maybe they noticed something on the scan that they need to discuss with you?

Id agree with ringing your Midwfie and explaining the situaution and get her opinion. It may very well be nothing and she could do a home visit.
Id hate to just not go and find it was something more serious.

I understand where your coming from as although I do drive, I have a 19mth old DD who has to come with me as we have no family nearby and DH is working. Ive been back and forwards to the MW/consultant more times that I care to remember and it can be a nightmare when it co-insides with DD's sleep times and lunch!

Checked my green file - here in Shropshire there's a midwife appt at 34 weeks but no consultant appt felt to be necessary for an uncomplicated pregnancy. Try insisting on a telephone consultation if they can't give you a good reason why you need to attend?

I would still go! I had growth scans and the one I had at 34 weeks was fine according to the sonographer.

But when I saw the consultant that afternoon he explained to me that the scan had highlighted that I had increased fluid (and other probs I won't bore you with)

I think the Sonographers sometimes leave it up to the consultant to talk to pregnant women about an small things that come up on the scan. Mine certainly did anyway

If you don't go, be sure to cancel it rather than just not turning up. Some hospitals have a policy of informing SS if people do not turn up to 2 or 3 appointments in a row.

I would at least call and try and get more of an explanation, if you explain why it is so complicated for you to get in, they will be able to decide, with you, whether to reschedule/ do a telephone appointment/ other.

Not advising you either way, but

-No, you do not HAVE to do anything you don't want to
-If that is the best reason they can give, it might be worth writing to them (ccing to PALS as well), explaining your rationale for not attending (if that is the decision you choose to make) and commenting upon their poor communication and rational. But I really would follow it up in writing tbh, because I think they are being a bit patronising.

Hi, thanks for your responses. I did cancel it this morning so as not to waste anybody's time, and refused to make another one for the next day etc.

I'm only under consultant led care because of high bmi, I'm healthy, and the baby is fine.

The scan was explained in the scan room, then by a doctor in the high risk clinic afterward who said everything was normal, so I'm sure there's nothing on there the consultant needs to discuss with me. I think it's just literally that they want to tick all the boxes in terms of seeing me at certain points in the pregnancy, even though I may have seen them 2 days previously.