Consultant really upset me, hormones or should I complain?

[Stropzilla]

I'm 36 weeks pregnant, baby has been breech the whole time and am in quite a bit of pain. Last pregnancy was an emcs, and has been agreed that I could have another c section this time after a lot of reading up and discussion, and looking at medical needs etc. I went in today to get my date.

The consultant walked in, and told me to hop up on the bed for a feel, confirmed baby was breech. He started writing in my notes, and told me we'd discuss it later. What he'd written was that he was booking me in for an ECV. I asked him what that was and he told me he would turn baby, then I could have a natural birth. I told him I was having a section, and he glared at me and said "Well, we don't do requests". I said it's not a request, my previous was a section. He demanged to know why I wanted a section this time, and snapped "so even if baby goes head down you're still not going to do it?". I said no. He started talking about the risks of the c-section (noone ever mentions VBAC risks do they!). I said I was aware, and he just blanked me after that, told the nurse to book me in for 39 weeks and walked out, leaving her and me sitting there waiting to find out if he was coming back or not. He came back for something, and I got up, with difficulty as is normal these days! Again I got snapped at "WHY are you limping?" I'm not limping, I'm 36 weeks, baby's breech and it hurts to get up as it's head is jammed under my ribs. "Oh, sorry." Yup, sounds like it.

I'm quite angry that he obviously hadn't even glanced at my notes, assumed it was either my first baby or all was normal, and while I understand hospitals tend to prefer vbacs surely a grilling was a bit OTT? Especially since it was something like my 3rd appt there to discuss it! I'm upset over the aggressive way he spoke to me, and make me feel like I MUST have a vbac or else explain myself. Again! I feel if I'd been less assertive, I'd have been railroaded into a birth I didn't want.

I was feeling quite positive about the whole thing, this has just flattened me. Nurses were lovely tho! So does this actually warrant a bit of a complaint letter, or am I just being overly sensitive? I've also read that you shouldn't have an ECV if your womb isn't the right shape, and mine isn't which I know from a previous scan. I was so looking forward to all of this, and being in control of things after it all went a bit wrong last time when I was looking forward to a lovely water birth.

It warrants a complaint and a request to be put under the care of another consultant.

Definitely complain. He has tried to force you into a procedure that you didn't want and did not feel was appropriate for you.

As above! The guy is a total idiot, change doctors and hopefully he will know the new guidelines on requesting CS.

Wow, wasn't expecting that, thought I'd be told I was just being a bit of a wimp today. Thanks for the support, how do I complain? Is it thru PALS?

Certainly complain, whether its your first or not you have a right to be under the care of a consultant who is willing to work with your personal circumstances not against them without even reading them, if i was in your shoes i certainly wouldn't want to see him again.

I complained about a doctor at my surgery after much thought, id gone to announce i was pregnant and to sign up with the midwife, his first words to me were and i quote "so i suppose you will be keeping it then".

I pointed out that if he had bothered to read the last 2 entries of my notes (which i could visibly see on the screen from were i was sat) he would be able to see they were 2 consecutive miscarriages as we had been trying for over a year to get pregnant.

Its people like these who add to the nervousness of the unknown of being pregnant. there more a hindrance than a help, good luck though!

What a tw*t! Defo complain. He should at the very least read your notes to be aware of your circumstances. I know the NHS is under a lot of strain but it's partly down to attitudes like this that mistakes happen.

Wow this wasnt in leics was it? I had similar experience being told women are too lazy to just lie down and give birth nowadays and 'lets hope i dont end up with a hysterectomy'. Im drafted my letter as we speak.

Complain - it's not on. PALs should be able to help. If nothing else he might not realise he's a twat until somebody points it out to him and you may be doing his future patients a big favour. Some Dr's are a bit self absorbed and don't always realise they aren't God and they are doing a job, a large part of which involves patient interaction to put them at ease not unnecessarily upset them. (the Dr's aren't god thing is from experience ... I'm married to one )

DoctorsWife, that's just nasty! I can't believe you were told that! Sometimes I think doctors (male or female) should undergo some sort of sensitivity training when dealing with pregnant woment!

Thanks, I actually hate complaining (despite my name) and I like to make sure I've got a valid reason to do so. I just feel so deflated now.

I know how you feel ... I found it really difficult to complain about my RA consultant but in the long run it's been the best thing I've ever done. I don't think I would have done it if my DH hadn't pointed out how badly I'd been treated and that it needed sorting asap. I got a lovely new consultant who has been fab

MMmmm I don't think its too much to be treated with respect and calmly talked through the options and risks of any health procedure and more importantly be listened to. As a health professional working within the NHS, I consider financial constraints no excuse for rudeness. The qualities listed above with an added smile cost nothing.

sounds like a right wanker, poor you. no idea how you complain others have, but I definately would, although it's difficult when we are faced with so many hormones isn't it. I learnt this once, when writing a letter:
S - situation - what was purpose of visit
C - complication - what happened with twat face
R - result - how it made you feel
A- action - what you expect to happen
P - polite - thanks and all that

helps me everytime.

Oooh I love the SCRAP mnemonic, will be using that!

Yes, I think you should call PALS, they will instigate the complaint procedure. You will be asked if you wish to make a formal complaint - I think this goes a bit further than a slap of the wrists. They will also help you with requesting to change consultant if you still want to.

The consultant seems to have forgotten about the term 'informed consent'! As a patient within the NHS, you have the right to be able to give informed consent for any procedure - this means you understand what they are planning to do and agree to them doing it. There are other types of consent too - so if you hold your arm out for a blood pressure measurement, you are implying consent by offering you arm. So, what I am trying to say, is that he can book you in for and ECV if he likes, but if you don't consent to the procedure you do not have to do it.

Hope that makes sense - I seem to have a bit of a hormone haze at the mo!

Suzy x

I am writing a complaint letter, and would really appreciate some feedback because I think it's a bit long. I'll make another post a bit later with the letter in if some of you lovely people don't mind picking it over for me.

thank you all for making me feel normal!

Very angry on your behalf OP, plus I LOVE writing complaint letters. Have done one for you - sorry but I couldn't help it!

Dear Sir / Madam,

My name is Mrs Stropzilla and I attended NAME OF Hospital on DATE for an appointment with Dr. TWATFACE.

I'm 36 weeks pregnant and my baby has been breech the whole time. My last pregnancy resulted in an EMCS and it has been agreed that an elective C-section is most suitable for me this time. The purpose of my appointment on DATE was to determine a date for the C-section.

Dr. TWATFACE examined me and confirmed that my baby was breech. He started writing in my notes and told me we'd discuss it later. It transpired he'd written that he was booking me in for an ECV. He wrote this in my notes without discussing it with me. I asked him what an ECV was and he told me he would turn baby, then I could have a natural birth. I told him I was having a section, he glared at me and said "Well, we don't do requests". I said it's not a request and explained that my previous was a section and another section was considered the safest option for me.

He then became rather verbally aggressive, demanded to know why I wanted a section this time, and snapped at me, "So even if baby goes head down you're still not going to do it?". I replied along the lines that I felt that an elective section was the safest course of action. He started talking about the risks of the C-section and I said I was aware, and he just blanked me after that and told the nurse to book me in for 39 weeks.

He then walked out, leaving the nurse and me sitting there waiting to find out if he was coming back or not. He came back for something and I got up (with difficulty as is normal these days)! Again I got snapped at, "WHY are you limping?" I informed him that I wasn't limping but that I'm 36 weeks and as the baby is breech, it hurts to get up as it's head is jammed under my ribs. "Oh, sorry," he replied although he did not sound sincere.

I'm extremely concerned that Dr. TWATFACE obviously hadn't even glanced at my notes and made an assumption that it was either my first baby and/or all was normal. I am also very angry that he wrote in my notes that I would be having an ECV as he did not seek my informed consent for this.

I am also unsure why I was questioned in the manner I was; this was my third appointment to discuss my situation. I'm upset over the aggressive way he spoke to me and made me feel vulnerable and ashamed of my situation.

Despite the complications to my pregnancy, I was feeling quite positive about everything and had previously felt supported and listened to by my medical team. This incident has changed all that and I now feel anxious and as though I've failed in some way.

Furthermore, I have since researched the ECV procedure and I understand that you shouldn't have an ECV if your uterus isn't the right shape; mine isn't which I know from a previous scan.

I would like to institute a formal complaint against Dr. TWATFACE and request that he plays no further part in my care. I would also like a repeat appointment with a different consultant in order to put my mind at rest as I have felt extremely stressed since the appointment.

I would like to state that I have previously been very happy with the high standard of care I have received at NAME OF Hospital and I do not think that Dr. TWATFACE is representative of the excellent and professional team there. I however feel it is especially important that one 'bad apple' is not allowed to sully the reputation that everyone else deserves. I would also like to pay special tribute to the nursing / midwifery staff who have been unfailingly kind, understanding and reassuring.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my complaint and I look forward to hearing from you. I would especially appreciate an early response to my request for a repeat appointment.

Yours faithfully,
Mrs Stropzilla

Ohh Rhinestone that's good! My letter is far too long at the moment but I can definately take bits of yours and substitute for huge chunks of mine I really appreciate that!

My pleasure! (I am so sad!)

Let us know what happens, that really is terrible and I'm so glad you have the balls to complain.

I've posted my letter in another thread here, would anyone please mind taking a peek?

wheres your letter strop? I need to finalise mine. Mine was actually some senior midwife as the consultant didnt show up. she then pressed her face up to my bare bump and called to the baby "can you hear this baby about a c section? you just cant get the mothers nowadays!"

Im still fuming. then when i asked what would happen if i go into labour prior to elcs as i dont want a trial of labour. she then said hmmm let me see "you'll be here, we'll be busy, theatres will be full and you just get on with it!".

I asked what about maternal choice? she said "oh yes you have a choice, you're here in labour, our theatre is full, your choice is to errr get on with it!"

Its made me petrified of going into labour actually.

I've popped it in a thread called stropzillas complaint letter :). Some good suggestions in there too.

I'm appalled on your behalf, Stropzilla.

I'm really frightened of being forced into a VBAC. I have seen a different midwife at each appointment and they have all had different opinions on my choices, and the disapproving ones have shown no regard for my feelings whatsoever.

TheDoctorsWife46, I'm in Leics and I'm now even more worried! I don't have my consultant appointment until 30 weeks but I'm already worked up about it as when I was given my notes back at the 12 week scan the clinic had crossed out my request for another elcs and written 'VBAC' over it in red ink

What a horrible man! Definitely complain