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Childbirth

How do I get my hospital birth notes now I've left the area???

7 replies

MrsTittleMouse · 10/04/2007 19:24

DD is now almost 6 months and I'm still not really over the birth. The consultant not only didn't get my permission for an episiotomy, but lied about doing one (told me a had a "small tear", the community MW put me straight when she examined me). The scar is healing really badly, and my new GP has referred me to a GYN, so that side of things is finally moving. Trouble is, I'm still really hung up about it, and I've moved 120 miles away from the hospital where I gave birth. Can I still get my notes and/or post-natal counselling?

OP posts:

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hitchcock · 10/04/2007 19:27

you apply to the hospital may have 2pay up 2 20.00 for photocoping ask for dc records as well,all scan blood etc
hope that helps

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coleyboy · 10/04/2007 19:33

Look on the hospital website and have a search for requesting medical notes. Hopefully you'll find an address to apply to. This is what I done, and it cost £25.

I can't think what the official title is, but I have heard of MW who also do counselling. It maybe worth speaking to your GP so they can point you in the right direction.

Reading my notes had me weeping with anger and for the birth I didn't have, but it has defo helped me.

I wish you all the best xx

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BetsyBoop · 10/04/2007 21:26

our hospital run a "birth after thoughts" service when you can arrange to go through any aspects of the birth with a trained counsellor & as far as I'm aware there is no time limit for this. It might be worth finding out if your old hospital has a similar service.

BTW I think (not 100% sure) that your consultant is guilty of common assault if he carried out a treatment on you that you had not consented to. (I'm pretty sure the only excpetion to this is if you are unconscious & the treatment was needed to save your life & even then they should try to get consent from next of kin if possible)

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eidsvold · 10/04/2007 23:47

as others have said - you simply apply to the hospital - should have info on their website of call and ask who you apply to - you will have to pay for photocopying the notes.

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Klaw · 11/04/2007 11:57

Call hospital switchboard and ask for Medical Records, they should tell you what the procedure is at that hospital.

My hospital did not charge me a penny to send both of my birth records out and I now have appt to see cons tomorrow to go over my records. I read through them a few times and always found something new. A few months ago I discovered something that horrified me and after a while of soul searching called the cons secretary and asked if I could see someone to discuss. My dd is 22 months now.

I believe that you might need to have someone go over your notes with you too. But wonder if you should get them first so that you can go over them a few times and gather your thoughts and questions before you see someone about it...

Just my thoughts. I hope that you are able to get to the bottom of it all.

Also you might like to contact Birth Trauma Association

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dejags · 11/04/2007 12:01

I got my notes - you can get an abbreviated version or the full version.

For two births it cost at total of 50 quid (25 quid per child).

This included postage and packaging. I just contacted medical records and it took about a month.

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MrsTittleMouse · 11/04/2007 19:30

Thank you for all the replies. I'll get in touch with medical records and get that sorted. I'd just really like to be over all this. Poor DH is really guilty that he didn't stop the consultant. Maybe we'll both get some answers.