Midwife wanting records from all births. Is this normal? - Page 2

[mwherbs]

usually you sign a release of info form when you start care with a provider and they can request your past records using that form-- so when you did your other transfers you may have had records passed and not even known that happened--- I don't know what your state policies are about who keeps records for a closed practice- but a few years ago here there were some highly publicized cases where important records were lost so a law was passed that laid out how records are to be handled regardless if the practice goes out of business or not-- and those records are usually kept at a record storage facility and the state licensing body is notified as to the location of the records-for that practice.
that she wants your complete records doesn't surprise me and that she must review the records before saying she can accept your case makes sense as well-- and FYI previous uterine surgery (c-section) is a change in risk status -- she probably wants to see that there were no other recorded problems at all in any of the other pregnancies/births hemorrhage, retained placenta, PTL, PE,PIH--

[donutmolly]

I thought it was odd when my midwide for DD2 didn't want the records for my previous birth! It just seems like the more info the better...

You mentioned that this MW isn't licensed... is that why she maybe can't request them herself -- maybe OB's wouldn't release them to her because she's not official enough?

[Belle]

I tried my best to get my records for my midwife from my old OB. I even hand delivered my release form for them to release my records to my midwives and they never got them. It was like pulling teeth.

[soso-lynn]

Getting records can be such a pain, especially with hospitals. I always tell people to get a copy of them right after birth, at their post-partum visit. Usually, if you ask the doctor directly, while they are golding your file in their hands, you have a good chance of getting them to just go to the copier with you.

Midwives here always give a copy of the whole file at the last visit.

As for the midwife not being licensed, it really depends on the person who will be sending the file. Where I work, I usually look up the doctor in the directory, to confirm the info. If it is not a real doctor, I usually will call the patient back and ask who it is that they want me to send the records to. I will only charge them if it is for their personnal use (because that is the policy) but will not charge them for midwives or any other practionner, regardless of registraton status. Other people do not check anything while some will go all out to track down potential fraudulent requests.

I would find it weird to be asked for the compkete files before deciding if she can take you on. I would assume that she would be able to tell you exactly what her concerns are and what she will be looking for in your files.