Campaigns - Post pregnancy hysterectomy
GENERAL NOTES to be tweaked and added to LOTS
Our campaign this year which *a little wish* have hinted at before.
As you know we are collecting the stats and education and training of doctors in all UK hospitals and from that we want to have a better understanding of what is happening in hospitals.
Details here http://pph.a-little-wish.co.uk/hysterectomy/post-pregnancy-hysterectomy-hospital-statistics/united-kingdom.aspx
*a little wish* KNOWS we are not going to be successful BUT by trying we are creating awareness and getting people to think and act differently (hopefully positively) (In Australia women are adding info from ALW, and links to their birth plans!!)
In no particular order and will be added to …
1) Page(s) are to be created by *a little wish* to be added to everyone’s maternity notes that deals specifically with post pregnancy hysterectomy.
It will contain information and details for women to be educated and make an informed decision for
Page(s) for Informed consent for post pregnancy hysterectomy
What techniques are to be used prior to a hysterectomy
If the operation is not to be done under any circumstances even if the outcome is death.
(As long as the patient is over 18 they have the right to make this decision, no one can overrule it without a court order)
If the cervix is to be left in situ under any circumstances – it is to be noted
If the ovary(ies) is/are to be left in situ under any circumstances – it is to be noted
I know some women that would accept the loss of uterus BUT not the others etc
As mentioned people are not told in advance and this is too important not to be in the notes.
The intended mother who had our first surrogacy babies - she was post pregnancy hysterectomy. All though the pregnancy they were warned of the risk of twin lock - never a mention of a post pregnancy hysterectomy which is a higher risk I think you will agree! Doctors are selective and they should not be.
2) We want ALL doctors that are allowed to operate on women, especially those allowed to do a hysterectomy to be trained in all the procedures to SAVE uteri. We understand the b-lynch technique is 10 mins to teach BUT NOT on the syllabus! The syllabus needs changing, and it needs to be a legal requirement to use these techniques
3) It needs to be a legal requirement to declare when a post preg hyster is done to someone.
4) The cervix should always be left unless the reason for taking can be proven. The excuse of cancer in the future is not a valid excuse for theft
5) The ovary(ies) should always be left.
The excuse of cancer in the future is not a valid excuse for theft The excuse of they will stop working in X many months years is not a valid excuse for theft
6) Vaginal pleating is suppose to be illegal in this country. It needs to be stopped.
7) It should be compulsory for the it to be declared who was in theatre, at what times, what part of the operation/s they did etc
8) It should be compulsory for those involved to meet and explain their actions to the victim, whilst they are still in hospital.
- offered to go over the notes, situation, answer ANY questions after 1 month
- offered to go over the notes, situation, answer ANY questions after 6 months
- offered to go over the notes, situation, answer ANY questions after 1 year
- offered to go over the notes, situation, answer ANY questions once more as the victim many need for their grieving/healing process
The fact that it is beneath the docs or they are too busy is not acceptable.
9) Compulsory for ALL organs to be kept safe to be returned to the victim if they request it for their grieving/healing process. Patents should be informed of them being held and they should be held for a minimum of 18 months. If the hospital needs the space for them to be destroyed the patient should be asked FIRST if they would like them.
10) Ideally the hospital should also pay for ivf or if lost ovaries towards surrogacy costs.
11) Reconstructive surgery is done as standard as mentioned in No More Hysterectomies by Vicki Hufnagel,
ISBN-10: 0452262550
ISBN-13: 978-0452262553
12) a prostheses, if it does not exist needs to be developed. Men have a prosthesis for testicular cancer. The hsyterectomised need one even more to keep organs in place and stop then falling into the cavity etc.
13) the teaching syllabus to be changed so that all uteri saving techniques are taught, before a doctor is allowed to perform a hysterectomy.
14) If the ovary(ies) are removed the NHS should pay for all hormone replacement therapy.
15) If the patient goes on to do surrogacy or adoption of a baby, any drugs that can be provided by the NHS for induced lactation are free of charge eg donperidone.
For your imput, please add to our message board here - http://forums.a-little-wish.co.uk/yaf_postsm7574_Post-Pregnancy-Hysterectomy.aspx#post7574