midwife contacted social services

[Geothecat1234]

Hello,
I've just returned from a midwife appointment and am absolutely devastated. I'm currently 21 weeks pregnant and have been treated for pre natal depression since 16 weeks. My midwife just informed me that after my last visit to her (when I was 18 weeks pregnant) that she contacted social services about me and that I should understand why she felt she had to. I don't. I fortunately don't have any suicidal thoughts and i have no concerns over my ability to mother my child. I have a huge support network and have been referred to a perinatal team. My depression developed during my pregnancy and centres on the rational awareness of the life changing event of having a child. According to the research I have conducted I am by far from alone in having pre natal depression. I am 38 years old, a home owner, a professional and am living with my partner of five years. Im sure that a few readers will think that there must be something more to this story. There truly isn't. Before this depression I was a very confident, happy, adventurous and free spirited person who loved life. So. . . . Is it standard procedure to report all women with pre natal depression to ss??? Surely, it is actions like this which will prevent women from talking honestly to their midwives about their emotions leaving their pre natal depression untreated, which can be harmful. I am devastated and now terrified of the implications of this referral. Can anyone tell me what it means?? And has anyone else ever heard of such a thing????? I'm considering my next move. .. Although right now I'm too angry and too upset to do anything but write this and cry. . .

[cantthinkofnewname]

Hello Geo, sorry you are so upset. I don't know the full details, of course, but the midwife is probably just being mega risk-averse. If there are no other risk factors than depression (which, as you say, is very common), then she has gone overboard. Quite frankly, Children's Services would be inundated with referrals if HCPs referred everyone for depression. I doubt SS will take seriously. They have far more important things to think about. I know it's hard, but please try not to worry. They may not even contact you. You are quite right, of course, that this is the kind of thing that puts women off being honest. My sister is a midwife and she would regard this as overkill she can't get SS to take most of her concerns seriously anyway, and that's when there are genuine CP issues I would consider making a complaint to PALs. Please don't worry and congrats on your pregnancy.

[Geothecat1234]

I know you also commented on my post in the pregnancy section and I just wanted to thank you for your reassuring message. I seem to have a trigger happy MW! I'm going to look into PALS and change my MW. . . Thanks again

[Asleeponasunbeam]

This happened to me too. It was the GP who referred, although like you I had no suicidal thoughts and was not likely to be a threat to DD or the unborn baby. It actually got passed onto the police for some reason to do with DH's job, but they sent us a letter immediately saying that no action would be taken.

It was really scary, at a really difficult time, but nothing came of it. I hope it's the same for you and that you feel better soon.

My antenatal depression pretty much vanished the moment DS was born. Funnily enough (not at all funny really), my appointment with the perinatal mental health team came through...nine months after DS was born.