To think all mum to be should sign consent forms

[McHappyPants2012]

Over the last few weeks I have read quite a few threads where a labour ends up in an emergeny c-section.

I suspect a consent form would have to be signed, but wouldn't it make sense to have these forms filled in just incase, same with the eperdiral surly it would be more sense for these forms to be signed while a women is more calm and not facing an emergency or server pain

I've always wondered what my signature must look like on my EMCS consent form, I was beyond caring at that point. I certainly didn't bother to read it!

I wouldn't be happy to sign a consent form 'just in case'

I don't see the point.

If it is an emergency-emergency c-sec you won't be signing anything anyway.

I have signed a consent form when extremely dilirious before and tbh I'd rather they'd skipped it and just got me into surgery quicker! I certainly wasn't capable of giving informed consent at the time (I can barely remember anything they said about the surgery) so it could definately be argued that it was legally meaningless.

I think I might of signed mine "Mickey Mouse". opppss
By that point i was so out of it and couldn't careless. I would not have signed one before hand.

TeWihara- they DO make you sign for an EMCS.

TBH I'd rather the doctors went around doing necessary medical work rather than spending their time explaining consent forms 'in case' people needed a CS.

Depends how much of an emergency - there are some situations where the mother is simply unable to.

I don't agree, it should only be if the situation arises. I signed the consent form for an EMCS for DS whilst being cannulated and having my lady garden shaved.
DD was a crash section and I don't think I signed anything though I gave verbal consent.

There just isn't always the opportunity for patients to sign before any procedure - sometimes there will be cases where the mother is unconscious for example.

Signing beforehand would normalise such procedures.

I had emergency surgery after DS was born. It wasn't a C-section but absolutely necessary unless I wanted to spend the rest of my days with my uterus hanging round my knees
I was in no position to sign anything but begged them to do whatever they needed to to make the pain stop. This included a hysterectomy as explained by the consultant on the way to theatre, ER, backs against the wall style.
Signing a consent form for an EMCS would have made nadda difference.

I would not have signed a blanket consent form before going into labour and I couldn't sign it fast enough when they said my baby was in distress. I think it would be psycologically detrimental to sign before going into labout. YABU

you can't sign a beforehand as you have to consent to the specific procedure they are doing and the reasons for it - which will change depending on the circumstances of each individual case.

You don't legally have to give consent in writing, verbal is fine, they can and might do an operation without your specific consent, or the consent of your next-of-kin but would be leaving themselves open to a charge of battery as to operate on you in such a way could be construed as battery.

Oh and consent can even be something like holding out your arm to get an injection

I think this would be a good idea. I had Emergency c section with both of my dc. The first time i was in so much pain i signed using my maiden name without realising.(they said it didn't matter) The second time, it happened so fast there was no time to sign anything. It would have been much easier for the signed consent forms to have already been in my notes.

Dunno iyabu. I signed a consent form when I was having a pph and they thought I might end up in theatre. It was in the end just a blood transfusion, but it was only later that I realised I'd signed the consent forms when I was absolutely off my face on docking loads of opiates as some enormous doctor was elbow deep in uterus-ness.

YABU.

Then what happens in the event that medical professionals want you to have a CS and you don't ? Eg they decide they would prefer to do a CS over but you would prefer to try instrumental birth ? They have your signed consent form there even if you don't want them to do it.

I would never, ever sign it a blanket consent form beforehand

OhDearNigel - if you had made that clear and they knew that then they would potentially be criminally liable for a battery (assault) against you.

Is this causing a problem though?

I'm in the "if it aint broke don't fix it" camp.

Does anyone know what the consent form actually says? I can't remember signed one for my son's crash section but apparently I did.

In Canada the Midwives give you one to sign beforehand for your notes. If you are concerned at all, you can not sign it and consent at the time if you want. All very sensible.

I consent to xyz presumably.

I would've signed anything with DD1.

Main consent with operations is usually consenting to the GA IIRC.

Which you don't usually have with a CS.