would you be confident?

[tlise]

I had a letter from the anaesthetist this morning following my appointment where she didn't even know why I had been sent to see her. Neither did I so that made an interesting conversation. In the letter it is telling me what I will need if I have a CS if baby doesn't move.

Now I did tell her I had had a spinal block for it before, which she dismissed at the time, but has realised obviously by reading my notes as she mentions it in the letter.

Would you have confidence in someone reading your notes though and being competent, bearing in mind if I do need this, she is in charge of my life, (and my bp plummeted like a stone last time I had a spinal block so has she read that), when in the meeting she thought I had two children.....and in the letter, she says its my fourth pregnancy.......and its clearly in my notes its my sixth pregnancy..... :(

That does sound like a series of cock-ups. What does your midwife say? Can you go through your notes together and make sure everything is accurate, and go through your concerns about the anaesthetist with him/her?

I'd be tempted in this case to respond in writing, thanking her for the letter and stating that you are concerned that there appear to be a number of points of confusion. Consequently, you would like another appointment at which she will be aware of your medical history so that you can talk through the implications of the anaesthesia (sp?) should you need another CS.

I find it really hard to be bolshy but in this case I think it's reasonable to expect some reassurance and a competent assessment.

I haven't told her yet. I have to see her next wednesday so will mention it, but sometimes its like she hasn't got time to listen, especially at the last one when she had a student with her. Sometimes she seems really good, and other times not so good but I can remember when we filled in the booking form all babies were accounted for, and in the brief glance I got at my hospital notes, they have everything in there, including breast op I had. So maybe there are so many notes its too much for her to read? 4 weren't born at this hospital, so I wonder if thats were she got the original 2nd preg from.

I think if she hasn't moved at 36 weeks and they start to discuss things, I will make sure I bring it up. And plead not to have her.