Well I finally got round to booking birth afterthoughts (thanks Hayley for reminding me!!!).

The midwife, head of the community team, called me to arrange it and we ended up having a long conversation on the phone about what happened (my post about 3rd/4th degree tears tells all)
She was so apologetic, she said that the mistake that had occurred had resulted in quite a lot of trouble for various midwives who should have dealt with the situation differently. She also said that as soon as she had seen me, (she was the first midwife to visit me at home) she knew it was a 3rd degree tear, not 2nd degree as diagnosed. She said that the midwife who stitched me was mortified at the mistake she had made.

I got so choked up on the phone because she was talking about future births and said it would have to be planned section next time around, so when I had to tell her that because of it I had decided I didn't want anymore I think she could hear the tears in my voice and was so lovely.

Anyway, I am going in next Tues to see her, we are going to go through all of my notes and details of everything that happened. I'll let you all know what Birth Afterthoughts is all about, I'm hoping that it will help me get past everything that happened.

[Modified by: Lindsay&Henry on 03 September 2008 15:25:44 ]

hi, i had a 3rd degree tear with my first pregnancy and was told and pregnancys in the future would more likley to b a c section. well i am now 15 weeks with my 2nd baby and saw the consultant today whom told me because i have control now over my bowels i could have the choice of a vaginal delivery again or i could have a c section , i decided to just have a vaginal delivery again tho i am petrified when i think of it that i may tear again !!!!!need help on this one !!

hiya -
I'm seeing the consultant in a couple of weeks (same one as the last preg) and after seeing her she will make me an appointment to see the MW who does this - si I'll finally be able to talk through my last labour and birth with someone who knows what shes talking about, and also discuss the real possibilities i face for my next birth.

I want to have an elective c sec because of the last one, and my MW at the booking in app said it was highly likely i could have it given the info she knew from the last birth....

I'm really glad they have this service available now.
I'm glad she was sympathetic for you, and hope your appointment goes ok for you.
xxx

i'll be intrigued to know how you get on Lindsey! Hope it goes well!

Incidently how did you arrange this - i'm wondering whether it is something I would benefit from as still can't get the birth out of my mind 10 weeks on and am serioulsy scared of possible no 2 baby! I take it these sessions aren't offered???

Amy x

Hi Amy,

They're offered as a matter of course at my hospital, you get a leaflet about it when you are discharged.

I would personally just call your midwife or maternity unit and ask if they do something similar, I would imagine that all hospitals do something like it.

Absolute worst ways you are entitled to read your notes, but they won't mean a great deal without a mw to decode for you, I read mine post birth and I struggled to read let alone decipher a lot of it!!!