VBA2C I'm going to view the hospital notes for my first birth- not sure what to expect

[PInkyminkyohnooo]

I know I probably sound daft, but what should I be looking for? The hospital are giving the impression it's a reasonably large file. Any advice gratefully received.

what are you wanting to find out? Do you feel your labour wasn't appropriately managed?

You can take an independent medically qualified person with you to help you translate, has this been suggested?

Hi thanks for asking. I'm not sure- I don't think it was, no.
But we were told by the consultant who performed the emcs that my womb, being bicornuate, had an effect on the position of my baby and it's effect on my cerivx - that my cervix would not dilate properly.
Obviously, at the time we had no idea what they meant, but after looking into it, I can't see what she was getting at.
I wasn't offered a vbac second time around, at a different hospital, (I was really ill with that pg, so didn't have the will to argue)but the new consultant is happy to help me,but he doesn't have my old notes.

I think I was told a load of rubbish, in an attempt to find a reason for the way things went,but I don't know what to look for.

MS-no it hasn't.That's really interesting. How do I go about it?

Erm, I don't understand why new consultant cannot apply to old hospital for a copy of them himself - this is usual surely?

My friend has Bi womb and has had 3 strapping great babes VB, good luck!

Okay well I went through mine and I didn't remember some of the things that were in there happening. Plus they write everything in code (so for example 'pain +++' means very little to you or me but apparently there is a scale). It is worth asking for clarification on everything and VISUALLY to take notes down. You won't be fobbed off if they know you are noting things down because the midwife reviewing the notes will not want to get yelled at for misleading you if a complaint emerges later .

Ask about what tests are carried out to establish uterine shape, whether they collected any evidence (scans/diagrams of the shape etc.)

It takes ages, apparently. The baby is likely to have arrived by the time the notes have. Lord knows.

your new consultant can definately request the notes - he needs them to effectively manage your care. I suspect that you will need a suitably qualified person to go through them with you - there won't be a smoking gun as such unfortunately.

Oh and I should warn you I wept buckets as I went through mine because it all came flooding back. I'm using the natal hypnotherapy VBAC cds at the minute and the first is 'letting go' of the previous caesarian and it's really helped me come to terms with it though. If you are still traumatised by your experience it might be worth you trying this?

WMMC, do you mean that a mw will be there when I go to look at my notes, or can I ask for one? They want to charge me 50 pounds for copies, I don't have that kind of spare cash, but I'm worried now I won't know what I'm looking at.

I wept buckets when DD was born by elective cs, not for her birth,but beacuse I felt so bad that DS's had been so awful. I'm getting upset now.

They usually have a midwife go through them with you. Otherwise they mean bugger all! Are you just asking to view them at the records office? This is nuts! Get your consultant to request them and ask for a review with a midwife - if you haven't already.

Sorry if I've upset you reminding you about it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and you can feel better about this. Each pregnancy and delivery is different and everyone (including you) did their best at the time. You need to let it go, but you can't do that till you understand what's happened.

Don't get upset. You are doing all the right things - the world of medical stuff is a very scary place isn't it? Don't know the answer about the midwife but regarding the delay in getting your notes to your new doc - that is ridiculous. Talk to the PALS service and ask them to help you ensure ALL your notes are available for a meeting with your consultant to make your birth plan.

Sorry about that bit of a wobble. I'm a grown woman ffs.
Ok so I ring the PALS at the old hospital and tell them to send my notes to my new consultant at the new hospital? Does that mean I won't see them until I see him at 36 weeks?
I think I'm going to need more time than that to prepare myself for the birth.

No, your midwife can pick them up from the consultant's desk and go through them. ASK the old hospital if they have a birth afterthoughts program - they may well be prepared to go through the notes with you in a midwives presence.

You will prob see your consultant at 20 weeks though.

Thanks so much. I don't think I'm booked to see the consultant at 20 weeks. I have my scan then my first antenatal and I think I was told my first antenatal would be at 24 weeks, with MW.

Think it is different depending where you are Pinky but I have had booking in at 9 wks, scan at 12 then will have first consultant appt straight after my 20 wk scan.
Will watch thread with interest though as I have had emcs after then 2 mcs and not sure what my options are for this (or even what I want!) Prev cs was due to failure to dilate past 2 cm so not sure if that would happen again...?
Push for notes to go to your consultant and to see if you can chat after your 20 week scan - good luck

Okay but when you go for your 20 week scan you usually see a registrar - ask then for your notes to be passed to the midwife and book a double appt for 24 weeks.

But your best bet would be asking the first hospital to get a midwife to go through them with you. Have a little stomp and see what happens.

Hi Jackstini, sorry that was probably misleadding to you, I'm 17 weeks, I've been booked in and had an initial meeting with ym consultant, hence the VBA2C, I have a 20 week scan later this month then my first routine antenatal at 24 weeks, as far as I can recall.

WMMC that sounds like an excellent plan, thank you!

WMMC idea good - Pinky, can you ask to see consultant same day as 20 wk scan? Just thinking this gives an earlier deadkine to get your notes in; if they don't come in until the 24 week appt it is not the end of the world but you will be worried until they arrive!

Deadline I mean

Your 20 week appt will probably be with a registrar who will be reluctant to go through your notes there and then because he or she will most likely be unfamiliar with the way they are reviewed. But there is nothing to stop you asking both the original hospital and the one you are booked in at to go through them, and just don't take no for an answer. Also don't be fobbed off with 'nearer the time' arguments. You need to get your head sorted out as early as possible otherwise the caesarians will hang over you for the rest of the pregnancy.

I wish you were receiving CATS pinky, I wanted to ask you something.

You can email me, wmmc- pinkyminky at mac dotcom

I want to get past DS birth as soon as I can, I can't see myself confidently developing a birth plan until I've gone through it, as you say.

Have emailed you!