Got my labour notes today...

[moaningminnie2020]

And I am

I posted on here while I was waiting for DD to make an appearance www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=293498

I'd been putting off getting them because I was still upset about it for ages..and now I am fuming. I was swabbed in early labour and the notes have a lab report stating I was positive for GBS. It says +++haemolytic Strep B - REFER BABY TO PAEDIATRICIAN.

I was NEVER told about this.She was only routinely reviewed by paeds before this result was available.

DD was one last month.

I'm not surprised to see they didn't document my request for a CS some 8 hours before they took me to theatre for a crash section under GA (fetal compromise), because DD's heartbeat was in her boots.

Don't know where to start, have contacted a local IM to go through things with me in more detail...

I'm sure there will others along who can advise you better than I can, but I'm not surprised you're angry. When I got my notes there were several things that came up that I definately had not been told (even in the pethidine haze... dh can remember!). I went through the notes with mw, then looked on internet for complaints procedure for the hospital where I gave birth. I wrote to the chairman of the Trust (as the website advised) with all my various complaints, and had a letter back within 28 days. I was still unhappy so followed the procedure and replied, and finally got what I wanted - for my notes to be altered to reflect the fact that my SPD DID occur in pg, rather than being brought on by labour. This was v. important for me as I didn't want there to be any chance of it being overlooked 'next time'.

If you do complain, I'd be very clear about what you are asking for - e.g. do you want an answer as to why it happened? Do you want to know further information? Do you want an apology, do you want something else? I think to begin with my hospital were very defensive and thought I was trying to 'blame' someone, whereas in actual fact I was full of praise for my community mw who had supported me very well - just hadn't picked up on the SPD. I don't blame her specifically - I wanted reassurances that the hospital are aware of the condition (they sent me the leaflet they give to pg women) and to have my notes ammended. Sorry - bit long-winded, but basically good luck with this, I hope you get the answers you're looking for.

I suppose at the moment I just feel shocked I wasn't told.

And I was considering a HBAC for my next baby when the time comes, and finding this out makes me feel this would be nigh on impossible.

Did have a brief moment of clarity though - since she was born by CS in the end - maybe the GBS wasn't an issue, since she didn't travel down my infective fanjo to get out?Or was it my waters that were infected? who knows.

Be back later, go to leave for work shortly

was your baby poorly at or just after birth?

you should go through notes with MW from the hospital you gave birth in, and go down the complaints route if necessary with them

why would this stop you going for an HBAC?

I can understand how pissed off you must be, I have been umming and arghing for ages about getting my notes to see what they say in relation to what I remember.

I don't see how this will affect any future births though, if anything knowing all the information will make it easier for you to get the help and support you need and to prepare for it.

Sorry to post and run earlier...

As far as the HBAC goes I know how hard it was to get support for a homebirth after a low risk pregnancy, trying for a HBAC after GBS would mean a fight I don't think I'd be willing to take on, frankly.

Been looking at the GBS website at work though - there was a risk of serious illness for my DD in the days and weeks following the birth and I still can't believe I wasn't notified of this.

Luckily she was well.

I've got an appt for DD at the GP in a couple of weeks, I will ask them if it was passed on to them or not, then I will definately be raising it with the hospital.

The outcome could have been horrific. And after the awful birth experience...I think I will give serious consideration to booking any further babies at a different hospital.

How do you get to see your notes?

I would be interested to see mine

You will need to contact the medical records department of the hospital where you gave birth. They will then send you a form to fill out, which you have to have signed and witnessed. There is usually a charge too, to cover photocopying and admin, although I think mine was just 15 pounds, so not too bad.