Access to maternity records - can I ask?

[Wingbackchair]

My son is 11, after an elective section he was unwell for 9 days in the baby ITU. I got a feeling from a junior doctor at the time that something had gone wrong during it after the birth. I've thought about it over the years now and again... I'm widening ether I could ask to see my maternity notes? Would they still have them this far after?

I got my maternity notes last year after nearly 8 years. You'll usually have to contact them and get a form to fill out and sign. They're usually pretty helpful.

Yes but you will likely need to ask for them in writing. At my trust you write to PALS, I believe there may be a small fee sometimes. They are stored centrally in England and gradually slowly trying to get them all electronic

Thank you I think I'll try
A bit worried what I read may be upsetting though, maybe better to let things lie

I got mine through the medical records department. I did a subject access request and paid £10 to cover printing and postage too. The info on who to contact was on the hospital trust website.

I think they keep maternity records for up to 25 years. You should have no problems accessing them, though there may be a charge.

This is really interesting, as I'd love to get hold of mine. I asked some weeks after the event, but they had apparently "gone missing". I have no desire at all to use them for any kind of complaint - I just want to know what happened during my DC1's birth, as I blacked out at some point during the birth and would like to know, just for completeness.

Mine was 20-odd years ago, btw.

Check with PALS but you probably need to make a Subject Access Request

I made a complaint about my birth and my notes 'went missing'....

Thanks to this thread, I've put in a request (no longer live in the place where my DC were born, but found the relevant form online). I so hope they will be able to provide the information. I have no complaints at all - they were all brilliant - but just want to fill in the gaps for my own needs. I think my notes "went missing" when DC1 was born because they were possibly anxious that I would want to make a complaint - but that's the last thing I would want to do. Nobody could have done more than they did. I just want to know, for my own sake. I still have weird flashbacks now, whenever I hear ambulance sirens - and it's 20 years ago. I just want to put it all to bed.

@celan I feel the same. No interest in complaining, just very curious to know the truth. Watching Bodies on iPlayer just now has spurred my interest to know!!

@Wingbackchair

Bodies is absolutely brilliant. It's the best thing I've ever watched.

And I agree - I'd just like to know what happened. Nothing more than that!

@Amumtomyson

I made a complaint about my birth and my notes 'went missing'....

Same. But then a friend started working in the department and she ‘found’ the missing page for me ....