Hello Williams3001 and thanks for posting, 

If there is a suspicion of melanoma, and the GP has made an urgent referral, an appointment with a NHS skin specialist (dermatologist) would usually come through quite quickly, but I am not sure how long you will have to wait. However there is an argument for postponing trying to conceive, as it would most probably be just a short time, for the peace of mind.  

Initially the dermatologist would just examine this mole with the naked eye and also with a hand held device they look through which magnifies it. Nothing more may be needed and they may be able to reassure you. 

If they do want to remove the mole and send it off to the laboratory it is a minor procedure in outpatients done using local anaesthetic to numb the area. Bear in mind that even when this is done, the laboratory results may not show anything to worry about, but it can take several weeks for the results to come back. 

If the mole turned out to be a melanoma, more surgery would be needed to take away a bit more tissue which can also be done under local anaesthetic. This and the initial biopsy to remove it can all be safely undertaken during pregnancy.

But, depending on the depth of a melanoma some people are advised to have a small operation to remove a lymph node nearby by to check it out for melanoma cells. However not everyone will need to have this.

The nearest lymph node is usually identified using dye and a small amount of radioactive liquid which is injected into the area where the melanoma was and left a short while to drain to the nearby nodes. The radioactive liquid isn't harmful to a developing baby but there is a very small risk that the dye could be. As a result this might mean that the doctor's decide to do things differently if a woman is pregnant.

In addition, depending on the extent of a melanoma, (the size and whether it has spread to any lymph nodes), some people may be offered medication as well as surgery, but not in pregnancy, so, if needed, treatment would be deferred until after delivery. 

But I should say that this mole may just be a mole and nothing to worry about and many melanomas are picked up at a stage when surgery alone is all that is needed to treat them.

Usually the dermatologist will be able to tell you on the day what they think. If they want to remove the mole for analysis to confirm their diagnosis you would have to wait longer for the results - they should know how long a wait this would be. 

I hope this helps and that your dermatology appointment comes through soon.  

Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over, our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around from 9-5, weekdays.

Best wishes,

Julia