If you had a c-section did you sign a consent form?

[snickersnack]

And did a copy make it into your notes (if you've seen them)?

It occurred to me the other day that I have absolutely no recollection of signing a consent form when dd was born, and dh doesn't remember either- and there's no record of it in my notes. I remember giving verbal consent, and I wasn't particularly out of it, though I was pretty tired. I'm not concerned - it was definitely informed consent and I wasn't pressured - but just curious as to whether or not I've forgotten or it didn't happen.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Yes on both occasions

No

[Moomin]

I will ask dh in a bit when he's off the phone - he works in theatres.

[LackaDAISYcal]

I remember a form being thrust at me when I was having DS, even though I was so drugged up and in pain that I couldn't even sign my name. My DSis had to hold my hand steady and I still went off downhill and onto the clipboard off the edge of the form.

The only reason I remember though is that I remember my DP making a comment that I could be signing Mickey Mouse for all I knew about what was going on

[DANCESwithLordPottingtonSmythe]

I signed, both times.

[LackaDAISYcal]

never saw my notes again so no idea if a copy was in there...I presume it did though.

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

i did, dont know if its on my notes

[BuwchBywiog]

I remember signing consent for both sections but I can't say I ever recall seeing a copy. You can ask for a copy of your notes under the freedom of information act if you want to see them, it might cost you though.

[MorocconOil]

I remember signing it very clearly. It was like a scene from ER.

[Libra1975]

Yes, I asked if it would be valid seeing as I was high on gas and air.

[PussinJimmyWhoooos]

I had to actually sign a form..it was the most illigible (sp!!) signature I have ever done...they would have had more accuracy had they taken a fadge print!

[traceybath]

yes - both times.

Can't remember clearly the first time but had a very long labour so a bit tired. Second time was elective and had lovely chat with the surgeon and signed it.

[RambleOn]

Yes, although I only have hazy memories of it at the time. I have since seen my notes which had the form in - it looks like a child wrote it.

[Moomin]

Dh says he thinks verbal consent is permitted if there is no possible chance to obtaining written. But I'd have thought your dh would have been asked to. Maybe in all the drama he forgot that he had?

You should be able to check your notes anyway

[ChukkyPig]

Yes - signed consent form.

No not on notes - I still have them - the midwife never came to get them for some reason.

[snickersnack]

I must have signed one, then. Wasn't enough of an emergency for dh to have had to be the one to do it. I remember everything leading up to it so clearly, but not that...

[zazen]

One was thrust onto my hands when someone was forcing a anti vomiting drink down my throat at the same time as someone was slapping on sticky monitors on my body. I told them I hadn't read it and it wasn't binding.

but the hacked me up anyway.
Hardly anything made it to my notes. And certainly the horrendous 12 inch wound they gave me didn't.
It took me a whole year before they eventually released my notes to me. My solicitor and I had three weeks to build a case against the hospital. They delayed the release so we couldn't sue. And it turned out we didn't have time to get our case together - so they won.

[Sycamoretree]

Yes, both times, but first time probably was an illegible scrawl.

[Bewilderbeast]

yes i remember because i asked for a general anasthetic and they sent the anaesthnatist with the form to talk me out of it

[EachPeachPearMum]

Yes- and it was all read out to DH and I beforehand- it was terrifying though- the stuff that they said could be side-effects of the surgery.

[Megglevache]

Yes first- Emergency
No second- Crash

[PortAndLemon]

Yes and no idea. I suspect it wouldn't be the world's most legible signature.

[Ellbell]

Had an elective section, so plenty of time. Signed the form the day before and a junior doctor (?? - I think - she looked about 16 anyway!) came and talked me through it, including all the worst-case scenarios (hysterectomy, etc.). Not sure what would have happened if I'd needed an emergency section (had placenta praevia and had been in hospital in case of major bleeding since 27 weeks). Everything they told me suggested that, if the placenta came away, I'd be knocked out with GA and the baby would be born before you could say 'fetch the scalpel'. Not sure there'd have been time for the consent form (and dh wasn't with me all the time, so also doubt he'd have been able to sign for me in time). I suspect that, in life-and-death situations there's a get-out clause....

[3littlefrogs]

You absolutely have to sign a consent form for any surgery, unless you are unconscious, in which case they would try to get your next of kin to sign. If written consent wasn't obtained at the time, because it was a desperate emergency, a record of that fact should have been written in your notes.

[3littlefrogs]

There will be a set of medical records in the hospital with your name on. The obstetric notes that you carry don't necessarily have all the legal documents in them, as they are the property of the hospital for legal reasons. Sometimes, if there is time, a photocopy might go in the "client held notes".

You can ask to see them if you want.

[blueshoes]

yes, for both the crash and the elective. For the crash, I signed it holding it up back lit against the OP overhead lights. Within seconds, I was out.