Birth stuff again

[ailbhe]

Rob printed off one of the forms for applying for my medical records today; we're going to look at it later, possibly after a strong drink (I have tea with chili r1t3 n0w) and I'll help him fill it in. I am hoping that if he does the actual writing, the panic attack will be manageable.

He thinks, having read the form, that we may need to send four forms in - one for antenatal and postnatal care, one for the gynae care 8 months postnatally, one for the colo-rectal guy, and one for the dermatologist who specialises in vulvas (I wish I knew her real job title, I bet it's hilarious!) and possibly one for the partridge in the pear tree, and all.

Then we'll have all my notes, including the ones I've made for myself, and I might be able to do something with them. Write a huge essay for the Birth Trauma Association if nothing else. Find out if there's anything important about my current condition someone has forgotten to mention (I get stabbing pains every time I turn over in bed, presumably because my pelvic floor is so weak - I wonder if there's an explanation in there?) or see where the biggest holes in the story are and try to get them amended.

And write to the head of midwifery to explain what could easily be done to make sure it doesn't happen again, which probably mostly boils down to "remember your patients are people."

I'm reminding myself of this poem, which some people found triggering last time.

Comments

[webhill.livejournal.com]

I know you guys have different rules and stuff over there. It's interesting. When I wrote away for my hospital notes from the birth of Naomi and associated hospital stay (which I wanted because I wanted to figure out why my insurance company was billed for IV fluid supplies when I had no IV catheter placed!) I just wrote a letter which essentially stated "Hi, my name is [my name] and my SSN# is ---------, I have been a patient at PA Hospital on two occasions, first around 9/9/00 for the birth of my son, and then again around 10/20/02 for the birth of my daughter. I would like copies of all medical records you have under my name. Thank you."

They came about three weeks later.

[ailbhe]

Writing that makes me sick every time. We're hoping the formfilling way will be easier for me.

[pauamma]

Can Rob write or type it and have you just sign it?

[k425.livejournal.com]

That's what I was going to suggest. Something like "all the notes pertaining to my care from [date of ante-natal care] to [current date]".