What medical records to I need to request?

[pinkmoonlight]

Hello, I am taking the steps to find a doctor that will work with me in my next pregnancy to help me obtain my goal of a VBAC. I am planning on meeting with my new provider prior to trying to conceive so that I can make sure I am in the safest position and healthiest position possible before trying to have another baby.

The hospital I delivered at will allow me to pick up the records and take them to my new provider without any charge for the first 10 pages, after that its 35 cents a page. (not bad compared to what I have heard it could be). I would also like to see the records prior to seeing my new provider so that I can look over then and come up with some questions to ask regarding them. My question is what records do I request? Or What information do I need?

The medical records department personnel that I talked to said write what I need on the form. Such as reason for C-Section, Position Baby was in at delivery, etc. Since I am new to this I don't know what to write down in order to get the best picture of what happened with my delivery for my new provider. Please give me any advise that you could. I am super interested in seeing what these papers say.

Thank you so much again. I am so glad I found this board and all of you who are so well informed.

[jenniro]

I think to get the most info for your money, I would request the operative report.  It should have a pre-operative diagnosis, which should be the reason you had the c-section, and info about the type of incision you had and how the doctor sutured it.  Offices request a reason you want your records, maybe a heads up for possible lawsuits, I don't know, but for a reason you can write, "new provider."

[LisaSedai]

Yeah, get the op report. It should have the reason for section, and type & method of sutures. I'd try to find out any induction methods used (what they were and the dose if applicable.) I'd like to know what dilation I'd gotten to and the baby's position and station. Procedures and medications should be on the Physician's orders- maybe the other stuff would be in the Physician's progress notes. I'd take a look at the Nurse's notes and see if they charted anything interesting- I wouldn't get it printed till I'd had a look at it. If you wanted the time medications/IV's were given to you that would be on the Medication Administration Record- but that can be loooooong b/c alot of the time there are pages of PRN (as needed) meds attached to it - you may not have gotten them but the Dr ordered them in case they were needed. The pathology report on the placenta would tell you if it was normal,old, infected ect ( I found out I had a grade I infection no one told me about after reading mine)

[soccerchic21]

I didn't have to pay for my records at all. My provider requested them and I just had to sign a consent form. However, this was after I was already pregnant. I had already gone through a consult previously.

[TiffanyToo]

I make the expenditure some have been big $$. JMO having my medical records puts me in a position of knowledge and power. I read them, research what I do not understand and ask questions to get a better picture of what is going on. This allows me to be my own best advocate. I do this for all of my medical professional dealings not just OB care.

I buy records on the pregnancy, OB notes, nurses notes, EFM tracings, birth/surgical reports and all records on baby. If you had a anesthesia event, ie epidural not working or working the wrong way or headaches, spinal patching etc. I would get those reports too. FYI I have cried over my reports they can be clinical and unemotional.