giving consent to c-section.

[kdinas]

Lately I have been going through the details of what happened with the delivery of my previous baby, which was a c-section.
One of the things which I have found difficulty dealing with is that I didn't actually give informed consent to the c-section. I didn't sign a consent form . Is this normal?
I am going to bring this up with the hospital at my next appointment with the consultant.
Any thoughts on this would be apprecited!
Kay.x

I definately signed consent forms, once for a section that didn't happen because they got DD out with ventouse once I was in theatre, and then for an emergency section I did have with DS2

signed consent form with dd1 (had epidural and she was in distress when I got to 8cm..was becoming acidotic) but not dd2 (crash section, she was delivered 13 mins after my bp plummeted unexpectedly)

Did your next of kin sign it?

I signed a form but that portion of the day is so hazy now that, to be honest, if I hadn't written it all down right afterwards I'm not sure I'd remember having done it. Actually it was quite funny with them trying to explain all the risks to me to make sure they were getting informed consent while I was just "yeah, yeah, give me the pen and let me sign..."

Are you sure about this kdinas? I'd be really surprised if they didn't protect themselves by asking you to sign a consent form. If you didn't, it's definitely not "normal".

I had an emergency C-section which had to be performed within a few minutes - there were doctors running down corridors - but they still made sure I signed the consent form.

I am absolutely sure about this, Frutti and
my husband did not sign a form .
The obst just said, baby won't come out, 'cut her open'.
Afterwards, I didn't get a reasonable explanation of what happened either.
I have yet to see my notes.
I wasn't that drugged up, I remember them trying to persuade me to have a hysterectomy!

You really should get hold of a copy of your notes, then. It can take a while so I'd suggest putting in a request as soon as possible.

How long ago was this? Was it at the same hospital where you are planning to give birth this time?

Consent is imperative as often youa re not jusy consenting to the actualt procedure but what can happen if anything goes wrong.
Blood transfusions/removal of any damaged parts etc
Without question unless you were an an unable, wihtout next of kin, bonfide emergency they should have sought a consent
I went into hosp via ambulance on my own, needed immediate life saving surgery and before they operated they had me sign my life away...
def check this out

I gave consent by scribbling my name on a form although I couldn't read what I was signing, it could have been anything!
I had an ecs too, and it is hazy thinking that I signed something and would love to see my 'signature' it would def not look like my signature! I was high on so many drugs and having contractions and shouting 'I want to push' at the time!
Maybe it could be that if the whole experience was overwhelming for both of you that you just don't remember.

I did sign some papers for my emergency c section. The memory is very hazy though, but DH assures me I did. I was topped up on various drugs at the time.

Can I ask why it's an issue if that's not too nosy?

I too definitely signed consent forms even though it was an emergency c-section.

I didn't. Can't remember if DH did. I was in no state to sign for my emergency c-section. I remember the doc telling me about risk etc, but that I was just screaming to him to get the f**k on with it. I was so out of it at the time, I didn't know my own name when asked, so no way could have signed anything.

I remember signing the form, but mine was a crash section, and I didn't have risks etc explained. I had the pen put in my hand as I was being set up with general anaesthetic.

DH signed mine for crash section after the event.
If it's life and death for mum and/or baby then I'd rather they got on with it than everyone standing about quibbling about the ethics of informed consent.

Kdinas,are you saying that you were sectioned without your permission?

verbal consent is just as valid as written consent if there is a witness (the whole area of consent informed or otherwise is a legal minefield. Even if you sign a form you can come back later and say that you weren't properly informed!). Consent by next of kin (except in the case of children isn't worth the paper it's written on!

I remeber signing the consent form. I also remember thinking that dp should just keep his bloody mouth shut about risks etc, just let them get on with it, I need to sleep!!....