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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think I should have been informed they were testing me for HIV?

103 replies

islandbaby · 17/11/2010 20:51

Because I´ve been living abroad for the first 7.5 months of my pregnancy, the local midwife wanted me to see a nurse and to have my bloods tested again a few weeks ago, as all my previous results are in spanish.

When I went to see a different midwife for a routine pregnancy check up a few days ago, she said she'd fetch my blood results and informed me that everything was looking good, iron levels ok etc and that I had tested negative for HIV.

I was, honestly, shocked. I had no idea they were testing me for HIV. I thought you had to give consent, and that you would be given the results with counselling if needed? What if I had been casually informed by the midwife that I had tested positive for HIV?

The midwife who gave me my results seemed concerned that I hadn't known I was being tested, and I wonder if it's something I should bring up with the nurse who took my blood?

opinions?

OP posts:
MummyBerryJuice · 17/11/2010 20:53

They should have told you what all the test were for and gotten your consent for all of them.

But HIV is routine (and should be IMHO)

littlemisslozza · 17/11/2010 20:53

It's routine in GB as far as I am aware. Having said that you should have been made aware of it when then took blood. It was obvious to me anyway because there was a chart for blood test results in my notes and HIV was listed.

peeringintothevoid · 17/11/2010 20:54

YANBU, the midwife taking your bloods should have obtained 'informed consent'; that means that she should have explained to you what would be tested and why, and had your agreement before going ahead. If this wasn't done, you have valid grounds for complaint.

TheMeow · 17/11/2010 20:54

I was tested when I was pregnant, i thought it was routine? I don't mind anyway. I don't see why you wouldn't want to be tested to be honest?

QueenOfFlamingEverything · 17/11/2010 20:55

It's routine in UK. Its just part of the standard pregnancy blood tests.
If it had been positive they would have told you in the appropriate way.

HecateQueenOfWitches · 17/11/2010 20:56

I think that everything is fine, you don't have hiv, probably if you did, they would have dealt with telling you in a sensitive way and you've got more important things to occupy yourself in the last weeks of pregnancy than a blood test that was negative but what if it had been positive and what if they'd told me in the same way...

In your shoes, I'd shrug my shoulders and forget about it.

Or you could write to them expressing concern at their procedure and possible lack of support for women who test positive for hiv through a blood test they didn't know they were having. If you feel really worried about it.

NinkyNonker · 17/11/2010 20:56

I very much doubt you would have 'casually been informed' if you had HIV. Can you imagine her just dropping it into conversation? I don't think so. I kind of see your point, but don't think it is worth getting worked up about. It is pretty much to be expected that you would be tested, was in all the paperwork I had, and why would you not want to be anyway?

HecateQueenOfWitches · 17/11/2010 20:57

oh, is it routine now? I didn't know that.

forget the last bit then Grin

Original poster
islandbaby · 17/11/2010 20:58

It's not that I wouldn´t want to be tested, it´s just that I wouldn´t want to be informed about any positive results in such a casual manner or by a midwife.

I've been tested before a few years ago, and had to sign a form and was given the results by a counselor.

I guess maybe had it been positive, the surgery would have been in touch earlier, but I´m not sure.

OP posts:
Meglet · 17/11/2010 20:58

Why would you not want to be tested?

I assume that if you were HIV positive she wouldn't have told you there and then.

TattyDevine · 17/11/2010 20:59

Whilst it is technically routine, its done on an "opt out" as opposed to "opt in" basis and part of informed consent is knowing there is something to opt out of. If they didn't tell you what they were testing for, they are in the wrong.

However, if they said they were doing "routine bloods" and you didn't say "what does that entail" then its a bit of a grey area. They should have clarified what "routine" was and if they didn't, technically you should have queried it. But I think they are wrong, really, and this is quite common.

savoycabbage · 17/11/2010 21:00

I remember being a bit Shock when I was tested for it when I was pregnant the first time seven years ago. I think it's routine and it makes perfect sense. They are no more likely to tell you that casually then they are to tell you that there is something wrong with your baby, so yes, YABU.

roundthehouses · 17/11/2010 21:01

it is routine here aswell but on the sheet you take to the clinic where you get the blood taken it lists all the tests they are going to run so even the most cursory look would show you.

Having said that, I have also wondered if it came back +ve whether they would follow a different procedure or just - "ok all fine for rubella, toxoplasmosis.. wait +ve for HIV.. ok so here´s what we´re going to do...?"

QueenGigantaurofMnet · 17/11/2010 21:03

its been 6 years since i was pregnant but i always thought that you signed a specific form for the HIV test.

Starbuck999 · 17/11/2010 21:04

I can't think of any reason why someone would "opt out" of being tested for HIV - especially when you're having bloods taken anyway for all sorts of other things????

narkypuffin · 17/11/2010 21:04

If it was positive it would've been handled differently. It's done as standard which is why the nurse was casual about it.

anotherbrickinthewall · 17/11/2010 21:08

it is a routine test, but am pretty sure they got my consent separately for HIv test, don't remember if it was verbal or written. apparently they wouldn't diagnose it on just one blood test, they would have you come back for a repeat blood test.

TattyDevine · 17/11/2010 21:08

People sometimes worry that it will get revealed somewhere along the way that they have been tested and affect their health insurance policy, or life insurance - this used to be the case in the US, I think, or still is maybe (?) - there was some assumption by insurance companies that if you had been tested, you must have some reason to have seeked a test, etc.

I think its now past but there is still a stigma.

Others are just stubborn (and are allowed to be so) - they are certain they are not due to careful lifestyle choices and therefore do not feel the need to have medics "meddling" etc.

Each to their own. I've always had the stance of, I'm sure I dont but if I had a random needle stick injury which I didn't even feel on a bus whilst pissed or something then I might as well know. Kind of thing. !

MadamDeathstare · 17/11/2010 21:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MumNWLondon · 17/11/2010 21:11

Its routine - along with rubella, blood group, sickle cell, anti-bodies etc etc.

They should have shown you the list of what they were testing and asked if it was ok.

ByThePowerOfGreyskull · 17/11/2010 21:13

I was told that they were going to test my blood for x,y &z as she took my blood.

otchayaniye · 17/11/2010 21:13

It's routine in Singapore too. And I don't remember being specifically asked, nor caring.

I have had an HIV test after returning to the UK following a rape so I know how nervewracking having an HIV test under non preg circumstances can be.

HRHMcDreamy · 17/11/2010 21:15

I was tested when I was pregnant too and not only did I have to give my consent I was also offered counselling.

me23 · 17/11/2010 21:16

yes you should bring it up, every blood test you have done needs your consent especially HIV.
bTW just because something is 'routine' it doesn't mean your consent is not required.

SaorAlba · 17/11/2010 21:17

I had to sign at my ten week and sixteen week.appointments to agree to the blood tests. HIV was one of the tests I agreed to while I refused the chlamydia test as I've had one recently.

Are you sure you read all the literature? If you did then I would definitely bring up that you should have had ALL the tests explained.

I don't think I'd have let them have my blood if I didn't know what they were doing with it. I already made the midwife explain what she was doing with my urine!