Consultant Led Care

[Summerwine]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this question, but I just wanted some opinions I think as I'm not sure what to do next.

My midwife referred me to be consultant led during my booking apt, for a medical condition that is very common, which seemed like overkill to me.

12 week scan came and went, as did 16 week apt during which I mentioned that I'd had no apts through to see a consultant. My midwife told me to follow it up with Antenatal when I went to the hospital for my 20 week scan. I've now had that scan, and the receptionist at Antenatal was able to confirm that there are no consultant apts for me on their system, but she wouldn't give me any more details and said the follow up was my midwife's responsibility. I've left a message for my midwife asking that she'll call me, but she's generally pretty useless and I've heard nothing yet.

I'm not due to meet with my midwife again until 24 weeks, but I'm feeling a bit stressed (FTM) not knowing whether I'm midwife or consultant led as this will decided where I give birth. Am I being unreasonable in expecting the midwife to have this information for me by the 24 week apt?

*I do know that if baby were led the wrong way or my blood pressure became high/low I may be referred back anyway, I just want to know where I stand right now.

 

[GBLiz]

i think they leave all birth-related decision til the 3rd trimester, as things can change. I am due a consultant appointment because of my age, its in a weeks time when i will be 28.5 weeks. They wouldnt tell me what the procedure is for older mums and saif the consultant would go through it. It is a bit annoying not knowing NOW what their policy is because my mum might or might not come up to help with childcare and would need to book flights etc. But from their point of view, theres no point being told early on what will happen and how things will be done, because the appointmewnts and monitoring and whatever else is only done in the last few weeks. Still, it would be nice to be given a 'probably' idea of things earlier, wouldnt it?

 

[Summerwine]

i think they leave all birth-related decision til the 3rd trimester, as things can change. I am due a consultant appointment because of my age, its in a weeks time when i will be 28.5 weeks. They wouldnt tell me what the procedure is for older mums and saif the consultant would go through it. It is a bit annoying not knowing NOW what their policy is because my mum might or might not come up to help with childcare and would need to book flights etc. But from their point of view, theres no point being told early on what will happen and how things will be done, because the appointmewnts and monitoring and whatever else is only done in the last few weeks. Still, it would be nice to be given a 'probably' idea of things earlier, wouldnt it?

Thank you GBLiz! I'll just have to stop being an impatient demanding little so and so then I suppose

 

[GBLiz]

i would definitely start pressing for information at your 24 week appointment though, just in case there's been any lack of communication anyhere....always better to check!

 

[Princesssaxy]

I was referred to a consultant due to mental health and I met with one at my 16 week appt. She referred me again to a mental health group and I have an initial assessment next Friday. Nothing was mentioned at my 20 week scan and I’m seeing a midwife in a few weeks for my 25 week appt - I’m very confused as my notes said consultant led but so far it just seems that a consultant assessed me and that’s it. To be honest I’m not too bothered either way, I just don’t like not knowing things so am going to do this mental health assessment and then ask midwife what is going on !

 

[HS1985]

My midwife put me to a consultant who saw me once and decided the referral was not necessary. She was lovely but bounced me back to the midwife about 3 minutes into the appointment. I don't know if they can do it but maybe the consultant said there was no need for your referral on seeing your case? Either way, I don't think you're being unreasonable for expecting the midwife to get you some form answers. Good luck x

 

[snowbee]

I was consultant led and didn't see them until 34 or 36 weeks I can't remember which. I only saw them once, all my care was with the midwife unit I just had to give birth at the consultant unit.

 

[Spriddy7]

I'm consultant led and had 2 appts with them so far at 21 weeks. Next booked for 30 weeks x

 

[holli]

I’m 27 weeks and consultant led as I have had a dodgy liver in past I’m illergoc to latex and most of my family suffer with blood clots, I’ve not seen my consultant yet but I meet him on 15th Feb the letter said the appointment will be 2 hours long god knows what they talk about for that long but my Midwife said it’s all precautions I need if I need an emergency C section I only got my appointment after my Midwife phoned the hospital up at my 25 week appointment to see why I haven’t heard anything yet so deffo ask your Midwife at your next appointment xx

 

[Nivetha28]

My midwife referred me at my booking appointment because of family history and BMI, she said I’d either get an appointment letter or not depending on if the consultant agreed I needed to see him after looking at the referral (I did and had my appointment at 12 weeks) It could be that the consultant decided he didn’t need to see you after looking at the referral but either way your midwife should definitely know and it’s up to her to chase. I would definitely ask her, you wouldn’t be being unreasonable at all. I hope you get some answers soon, you don’t need the stress bless you XX

 

[Summerwine]

Brilliant. Thank you ladies! Glad to hear I'm not being unreasonable.

I think any consultant picking up my notes would conclude that it was a waste of time and not worth an appointment, which is what I'm both expecting and hoping for, but I just want to know either way thank you very much. xx

 

[Summerwine]

Hi ladies - just wanted to give an update now I've had a response on the situation! My midwife has decided that as I've had no appointments through, and there are none scheduled on the hospitals system, I am to be classed as 'midwife led' from this point forward, unless something changes closer to my due date. I'm pretty happy with this outcome, and just glad I know what is going on.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and recommendations with me! xx

 

[GBLiz]

that's good news!