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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Do you take you pregnancy notes everywhere?

50 replies

Madratlady · 08/08/2013 12:26

My DH told me off yesterday because I haven't been carrying my pregnancy notes around with me. I'm 16+6. His argument was 'what if I had a car accident and they didn't know I was pregnant when they took me to hospital'. Now, I think the bump would be a giveaway and that it probably isn't necessary to take them to a friend's house 8 miles up the road. But he disagreed, so I suggested I put them in the glove box of my car, but no, he says to put them in my handbag so I always have them.

Do you always carry yours around? Is it actually necessary?

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FreckleyGirlAbroad · 08/08/2013 12:30

I don't have them with me all the time, no, but should do really. In fact they're going in my bag right now. Particularly as they explain my high risk status etc.

PumpkinPie2013 · 08/08/2013 12:32

Not sure if it's necessary but I do usually have mine in my handbag which I use at work and at home.

They have all of my phone numbers on for midwife etc so it's good to know I have them if I need to ring for advice when out and about.

Hadn't thought about the accident thing - I see your husbands point that it would be useful if god forbid you were in an accident. I'm sure they could manage without if necessary though.

When you are close to home just make sure you have your mw number in your phone. If your going away then I would definitely take them x

Kayshields · 08/08/2013 12:34

They say to keep them on you from 34weeks +

lovesteaandcake · 08/08/2013 12:37

I never kept my notes on me, but now I'm 35 weeks I take them to work with me just in case something was to happen.
It's probably best to have them close to hand, especially if your high risk, or anything. Even simple things as your blood group are in there, so I guess it's important to have with you.

SeriousStuff · 08/08/2013 12:42

I always take them with me if going away for the weekend etc. but not anywhere else. However, now I'm 30+6, I'm thinking I should be taking them with me more often, just in case...

workingtitle · 08/08/2013 12:43

Nope--I haven't and I think I'll always leave them at home unless going away overnight. There's more chance of me losing them if they're away from home, or someone could steal my car, etc etc.
I have the midwives no/delivery suite no stored in my phone and my blood donor card states my blood group. If I wasn't low risk then I probably would think about it more.

AlisonL1981 · 08/08/2013 12:47

It's better to have them.

I hadn't felt baby move so went to the hospital after work. They wanted my notes, my friend had to go and get them.

Another occasion, a woman crashed into the back of my car(car was drive-able but I'd had a bit of a bump)
Drove to nearer a&e and because I didn't have my notes I had to wait in a&e to be seen rather than go to the maternity department..1

A wo

elQuintoConyo · 08/08/2013 12:48

Mine came with me everywhere, right next to my passport: must have photo ID on me at all times (forrin country, don't drive so no licence). I have one handbag, so it wasn't much bother, plus I liked getting it out to have a read and see how I'd progressed!

AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom · 08/08/2013 12:49

I never carried mine until the last few weeks. I don't think it's necessary.

muppetthecow · 08/08/2013 12:52

I tend to carry mine everywhere by dint of the fact that they 'live' in DS's changing bag. It's a backpack that also doubles as my handbag so they slide in perfectly. I don't think I did when I was pg with DS until I was about 24 weeks.

I had to go to the GP unexpectedly a while back and he was really surprised I had them, so I don't think most people do it. He thought I was really organised I didn't tell him I'm just too lazy to take them out of the bag after MW appointments

EeyoreIsh · 08/08/2013 12:54

Only 14 weeks so can't comment apart from to say i'll be taking them with me on holiday next week as the midwife told me too.

I was away last weekend and didn't take them, it didn't occur to me I should.

So after a certain stage, will I need to take them with me when I commute to work etc? That hadn't occurred to me

TinyCC · 08/08/2013 13:06

I do but I have GD so have to be logging my blood readings 3/4 times a day so it's just easier to have them with me. Am 31 weeks.

islingtongirl · 08/08/2013 13:27

Almost 38 weeks and been going out without them! Not v far from home though...maybe I should start carrying them, will need a bigger handbag!

YoniMitchell · 08/08/2013 13:33

Nope. I'm 17 weeks and only take mine out of the house when I have an appointment.

It's not always practical in terms of handbag size to cart them around, although I can see the rationale for having them with you, so might reconsider and bung them in my work bag.

I won't be totting them to the shops with me to pick up a pint of milk though!

YoniMitchell · 08/08/2013 13:34

Now if they put them in a nice A5 Smythson binder...

islingtongirl · 08/08/2013 13:46

Yes Yoni, id be more inclined to take them out and about then! As it is, they are in a huge plastic bounty wrapper/packet thing...

Original poster

Madratlady · 08/08/2013 13:47

Exactly Yoni, they're not handbag size! I suppose I could fold them in 4 to squeeze them into my beloved Radley bag.

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Original poster

Madratlady · 08/08/2013 13:47

Mine are just an A4 booklet

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badguider · 08/08/2013 13:50

No, I don't take them unless I'm somewhere where my local hospital is not my hospital.
BUT.. I have a card in my wallet saying that I am pregnant and Rhesus Negative so if I was in an accident they'd have that info and the hospital would have my notes on their computer system. They sent me that card after my booking bloods came back (scottish blood tranfusion service who do the blood tests here).

I do carry them if I am going to another city.

badguider · 08/08/2013 13:52

btw. I know that the hospital have them in full because my MW told me that when you phone triage to tell them you're in labour they go through them on the computer before deciding what advice to give you.

workingtitle · 08/08/2013 14:01

That's such a good idea, badguider. Wish we had something similar, just a card with your patient no, due date, blood group, name of GP, any other key info.

Shellywelly1973 · 08/08/2013 14:07

This is my 7 th pregnant. I've spent about 52 month of my life pregnant only about 5 left of this pregnancy!

I've never carried my notes with me. I did take them on holiday once...

ShadowMeltingInTheSun · 08/08/2013 14:07

My handbag is not big enough for me to fit my handheld notes in, so no, I don't take them everywhere.

The (slightly bigger than A4) cardboard binder the midwife put them in doesn't look like it would fold easily either.

I do take them to work though, as my work bag is large enough to fit an A4 folder in.

oscarwilde · 08/08/2013 14:09

Nah - photocopy the first few pages with your vital info and keep those on you.
DEFINITELY carry the contact details for the hospital, and the midwives looking after you in case of emergency. Your notes are kept by the hospital after the birth so it's worth having copies of these anyway in case you have any post natal issues and have to call the ward. Also if you are sentimental and want to have copies of your prenatal notes, do so before you go into labour. You have to pay for the priviledge after.

Lydia161290 · 08/08/2013 14:13

I didn't carry mine around with me until I was past 30 weeks.

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