how do I get hold my notes from previous labours?

[orangehead]

I have previously had 2 very traumatic births. I am thinking that the next time I preg I might just go for a planned section mainly for the safety aspect but feel it would be wise to go through my notes to try and figure out exactly what went wrong. I have read on here before that you can get hold of your notes, do I just write to the hospital or what?
Thanks

have you been in touch with the birth trauma association or birth crisis to talk through your experiences? or you can go through your notes with a MW at the hospital, you need to make an appointment obviously. really worthwhile sorting out your previous births before embarking on another one

and looking into the pros and cons of a c.section

Speak to your own mw? Surely she can call them?

I found out what was in mine when I was getting my pre-op e/c check-in with m/w & anaesthetist. It was very enlightening & I got an unexpected apology for vb no 1, didn't have an elective in the end but a very well managed vb with the option of e/c.

Good luck with yours.

I wrote to the hospitals where I had my 2 sons and paid (about £20 each I think) and they sent me photocopies of my birth notes. I called them first to check the procedure for getting notes.

Im not actually preg at mo and not planning for about a year. I have worked through the issues in my head about my births, I was depressed for a while, nightmares about it probably post traumatic stress I suppose. But now feel ok about it. I would love to try for another vaginal birth but have a feeling its too risky for me (1st birth long labour ds1 nearly died so emergency section with ga, 2nd birth long labour I lost a load of blood and lost conscious as they dragged him out with forceps). I really dont want to have another section but if its safer for me and more of a chance I will actually be conscious for the birth than I would rather go for section. I feel I need to sort this out in my head before even ttc

accessing medical notes

be prepared that you may find it stressful or it could evoke powerful emotions

consider debriefing
or take a good friend
maybe consider questions/queries you have

thanks for all your comments, prob ring hosp to see their procedure

Just skimming that link, I notice that it says that you should contact the "patients? services manager or medical records officer".

Essentially, if you're applying in writing, you are doing so under the Data Protection Act and therefore you need to find out who the Data Controller is, officially. In my nearest hospital this is someone in the legal administration department.

I only stress that this is a formal title, with legal responsibilities, because when I first applied for my notes, the midwives et al didn't take me seriously, had no idea who I should contact, tried to fob me off with a few superficial comments and it took a lot longer (with more persistance!) than it should have done. They also tried to tell me that I didn't need a copy of my notes - because all the information would be here for my next delivery. Something which hasn't proved to be true for other women I know who have stayed in the area - and what if you move house / emigrate abroad between births??

Hope you track them down.

I just recieved mine this morning, I rang the hospital and asked for the medical records dept. The person I spoke to there put me through to something called 'Patient Experience' WTF??

Anyhow, they posted me a form, I sent it back on the 15th March and recieved them today. Not paid yet but I have agreed to be invoiced, £10 admin fee plus 25p/sheet for photocopying.

Just off to start a thread about what they said...