consultant appointments

[Northernmonke]

Hi Ladies

Sorry just need to vent a little and find out if this is normal.

So today I go for a 24 week scan, all great, babies looking good which I am so please about.

Then I have to wait an hour and half for my consultant appointment, hes 25 minutes late and not a consultant, hes a junior doctor. No introduction and a woman grabs my arm and does a BP test.

He says all looks fine so bascially thats it. I was like, sorry whats the purpose of this appointment and he was just like well just to go through things and monitor you but as all is ok we dont need to do anything.
I asked if he was a consultant and thats when he told me he was a junior doctor and the consultant was on the labour ward rota. So I just feel like I have wasted 2 hours and not had any extra care or information and just feel cheated I guess, good old NHS wasting resources again. I hate the system.

What are other peoples experiences of consultant appointments, I just feel like they should be telling me something or going through things with me...??? x

 

[highhopes2013]

I've only had one appointment so far-at 12 weeks. Met with the consultant and he went through birthing options, pain management, types of twins etc. Did you have that at your first appointment?

 

[Northernmonke]

Yes had that at 18 week appointment with him but even that was pretty short. x

 

[cherrylips100]

Yes, totally normal. I usually had to wait two hours after a scan just to speak to someone for about 5 minutes. Only once was with my consultant. It is a long time but I think its a small price to pay for having the nhs and knowing everything is ok. Just remember to take a magazine and some food next time!

 

[DollPosse]

I have my ultrasounds. A nurse comes and takes my BP, looks at my urine, and asks how I feel. My high risk OB walks in look at my info, says I'm fine, and asks me if I have any concerns. This takes about 10 minutes at most and she says I'll you see in three weeks. That's the big appointment. I have to figure out schedules, and drive across my city to talk to my doctor for 5 minutes. I do understand the irritation. I'm happy to be told everything looks good. It helps me worry less.

 

[PinkPeony]

My experience is basically the same as Dollposse's except that I wait to receive a report after the ultrasound and a doctor or radiologist goes over it with me. There's a lot of waiting around between each stop along the way especially the high-risk ob. I can usually cound on being there 2.5 hours minimum. Everyone I see is very kind and considerate though, and don't make me feel rushed.

 

[Meezerowner]

Yeah sounds like my experience too. I didn't see the actual consultant till about a week before my induction.

At every other appointment it was with a "member of his team" registrars etc. I'd always have to wait ages after the scan too cos they'd always be over-running. A midwife always did the BP and any other obs whilst I was waiting though.

They never said much in the appointments just checked the sizes on the curve and kinda left it at that. I kept asking loads of questions and it was always "wait and see at next appointment".

Also I don't think I saw the same doctor twice my consultant had a big team lol!
Consultant was there during my labour though so I guess that's when you need an expert around.

 

[xxxemsxxx]

Yes totally normal, a few times I was waiting about 2 hours after my scan to be told by a midwife that a doctor had checked by scan and was happy everything was ok so I didn't need to see anyone. I used to get annoyed about the waiting and then not seeing a consultant or if so only seeing him for a few minutes or one of his team. Though in a way it's good, not the waiting part, but short appointments normally mean everything is progressing well and as it should. xx

 

[EmziMoo]

My first consultant appointment isn't until I'll be nearly 29 weeks!

 

[MadameJ]

I have to admit I'm really shocked at the NHS care when it comes to a multiple pregnancy. I was told from the moment we knew it was twins that I was classed as high risk now and that I would have a lot of scans and appointments n yet so far I've probably had less appointments than I did with my singleton pregnancy's !! And I have no idea when I'll even meet my consultant ,at this rate it'll be in the delivery room :/ I'm almost 26 weeks and I've had 3 scans,and 3 midwife apps and that's it!