Consultant led care at wk 16 - what to expect in this session?

[Preety1983]

Hi Ladies

I have had 4 MCs and 8ish wks pregnant now.

My widwife has booked me to see a consultant at 16 wks.

I am not sure what to expect over this appointment?

Would they do another scan? What else do they check?

Any experiences please share.

Thanks

[Solly-44]

Hi, congratulations on your pregnancy! I think from chatting to others it varies massively, and probably also varies based on the reasons for your referral. I was consultant led with my first and didn’t get a scan or any kind of physical exam - it was just a chat about how the pregnancy was going and my plans for the birth. Because I was referred for a combination of reasons (pcos, ivf, being an old codger etc) there wasn’t a huge amount to discuss but my OB was friendly and it was a great opportunity to ask loads of questions. I know of women who have had scans or heart beat checks etc. I’m also consultant led this time but my first appointment with them isn’t until I’m about 26 weeks xx

[Preety1983 in reply to Solly-44]

ah so much later for your appointmen

Hopefully I finally make it to this appointment and this is not another mc ;(

[Hidden]

I have to admit my 16 week consultant appointment was a bit underwhelming! All we did was go through my history and she talked through some of the risks that were associated with my history. She did listen to the heartbeat but that was mainly because I was in a state of anxiety convinced there was something wrong! It was a reassuring appointment and nice to feel like I was 'in the system' but it was more me educating her than any sort of definitive new news that I learnt x

[minnesota_girl in reply to Hidden]

Sounds a bit like the midwife booking appointment where I felt like I was just giving background and educating them in my IVF process and meds! Lol. As you say, feels good to be in the system but I feel like it was me talking and explaining more than anything! I've got my consultant appt in two weeks so it's good to be prepared it's likely more of the same initially!!

[Preety1983 in reply to Hidden]

thanks for responding. I too feel like am being considered given that this journey has felt dreadfully lonely

[Purple276]

Hi Preety,Huge congratulations on getting this far. I was only just starting to realise that this one might stick at 16 weeks so had a midwife appointment then and my first consultant led one was at 22 weeks. It does vary considerably depending on each hospital.

No scan but did a urine sample and blood pressure check when arrived (so dont go to the loo before you get there!) I just talked through my medical history and like Minnesota Girl educated on IVF and donor eggs! But they basically said the main difference of being consultant led is you get an extra scan around 32 weeks and from that point mine start talking about birthing plans.

Personally I found the consultant is more medically focused so more talk about risks compared to the midwife who is just lovely and tried to make me feel at ease and reassured me - and picked up instantly on the tough journey and adapted herself to how I was feeling.

Hope that helps prepare you a little. I'm 28 weeks tomorrow and feeling in a much better headspace so as each week passes it does get better!

Hope it goes well xx

[Preety1983 in reply to Purple276]

Thanks for responding. Wk 28, great news. I have got to wk 9 without spotting which is a great news for me. Still no symptoms so constantly fearing a missed mc ;(

[Hidden]

hi Preety, I had a consultant appointment at 16 weeks. I also had no clue what to expect, especially as I had also had the midwife just a week or so earlier. I had had a super experience of my midwife and was a bit nervous that the consultant would be more formal and intimidating. But my exerpeice was quite the opposite.

He used the appointment to introduce himself and ask me if I had any questions. I was very worried still about miscarrying and so he talked me through where I was at - what was seen on the 12 week scan, the NIPT results. We talked a lot about my fear of late miscarriage and he agreed to get me in for extra scans at 16 and 24 weeks to check the cervix. It was so reassuring - not just because I knew that the scan would take place and this would be checked but because he really took the time to listen to my worries and put a plan in place to try to keep me reassured.

I’m very grateful to be consultant led.

[Preety1983 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for taking time to respond. This message is actually making me looking forward to seeing my consultant now