Mandatory to be classed as a 'vulnerable woman'?

[username009]

I've been for my booking appointment today. I'm 19.
The midwife explained that it is mandatory to put in some sort of referral for 'vulnerable women' as I'm under 20. I agreed but it didn't sit right, especially since DM (has worked as a GP receptionist) clarified that it comes up in big flashing letters on medical files etc that you're vulnerable.

It doesn't sit right with me that just because a person is under 20 they're classed and documented as 'vulnerable'. Surely there's a lot of other mums who are over 20 and actually vulnerable but wouldn't have that assumption automatically made about them?

AIBU here or is there anything I can do about this?

Sounds out and out offensive to me. Complain.

Hmm, I've never heard of that. I suppose you could ask them to take it off?

@Manclife1 it feels offensive! Not sure who to go to.

@ReganSomerset that's what I thought but not sure who to go to and the way she said it was it was mandatory. In all fairness, she was lovely, it just seemed like a weird procedure!

Never heard of this. Seems odd

The referral will be as you are still technically a teenager to ensure you get the appropriate support. You're not going to have big flashing letters coming up on your medical notes! You'll be offered additional services/support and age appropriate care, possibly (depending on where you are) they can point you in the direction of child centres/mum and baby groups with other young Mums (I really don't mean to be offensive OP, I'm just struggling to find a nice way to say your needs as a Mum at 19 will be different to mine as a fuddy duddy in late thirties!!!) you're not automatically vulnerable or a risk to your child so please try not to worry, see what you're offered and take up what you want, reject what you don't (oh and congratulations on Bump!) x

If it's mandatory why did she need to ask for your consent?

I suppose it's similar to the term geriatric mum for anyone over 35. It's a standard term which will enable you to access extra support you may not automatically know how to.

@yorkshirecountrylass thank you!!! My mum is certain that it pops up on medical notes so they're aware though. Maybe it's just the word 'vulnerable' that's getting me!

@yorkshirecountrylass thank you!!! My mum is certain that it pops up on medical notes so they're aware though. Maybe it's just the word 'vulnerable' that's getting me!

If you don’t want it recording as such ask for it to be removed, politely and request your information is not passed to any other agencies/departments as a result. If they refuse raise a complaint with the information commissioner.

@ReganSomerset she didn't, she just explained it really.

The wording is poor, but if it means you are offered extra support or opportunities to attend groups that might be helpful I would leave it on.

You're welcome :) sometimes a note can be added e.g to your GP notes to say you're under a particular midwife, it is used to make sure anyone providing care for you is aware of who your named worker is not as a stick to beat you with! It's not a matter of them passing on your details to every man and his dog either, it's only to care providers who will be dealing with you. (I'm a safeguarding practitioner so see this an awful lot!) Have a wonderful pregnancy, enjoy every minute of it and take up whatever you feel will help you, this is an amazing time of your life and services are there to support you x

It won't be displayed on your notes for everyone to see. It means you'll be offered extra midwifery and HV support. It isn't mandatory at all and you can decline. It is because you are a teenager, it doesn't mean you'll be a bad mum and the professionals involved in your perinatal care know that but statistically teenaged parents need more/a different kind of support.

I think I'm going to enquire and see if it was mandatory or if it can be removed.

I'm more bothered about it because I actually already have another child. I completely accepted and understood the reasoning for it last time (a few years ago!) but now I'm completely independent, have the happiest child who's in nursery while I work and run my own home too, I'd class myself as anything but 'vulnerable' now and don't like to still be grouped in it!

Young mothers are statistically a much higher risk and much more likely to need additional support. You are a teenager still so yes, classed as vulnerable. That doesn’t mean bad person, it doesn’t mean unsuitable mother but does mean you and your baby are more likely to have problems of one sort or another.
It’s a good thing it’s recognised. It’s a good thing you have been protected by ensuring medical professionals are aware that they need to check all is well.

There is a phenomenon of gang members moving into the flats of young mothers and dealing drugs from the flat. They don't ask to move in. They make friends with the vulnerable person then just move in

Does your area have this issue? I wonder if this is her concern? You becoming a target?

@PicsInRed definitely not.

Never had it said about me. Although I would have laughed as I was in teaching training at the time, so supporting/teaching those who were vulnerable (primary children). My midwife was more ‘wow you and your dp are determined’. Only ever had 2 visits when we got home from hospital and we were signed off with a ‘you are both sensible enough to give me a call if you need me’ and that was it. Never once did we have anyone mention that we were both 19, young or vulnerable.

For the poster who said needs were different- how? We both attended university 4.5 days a week (me full time when in placement), both had part time jobs, running a home. HOW is that different to someone in their 30’s.......... oh yeah, that’s right, because we were actually doing more can be the only answer!

@CherryPavlova ‘statisticaly’ perhaps but that doesn’t mean you sheep dip everyone with the same treatment.

Manclife1. If you are commissioning healthcare you do rather have to do it based on statistical information. If you’re developing healthcare policy, that two has to be based on statistical information.
Teenage mother’s and children are a much higher risk. The trust, GP and other services would be vilified if this was ignored and a serious child safeguarding concern was missed.

I think the word "vulnerable" is perhaps a bit inflammatory and upsetting and I understand why you feel targeted.

It really is there so that extra support can be offered for you to take or decline as required rather than doubting your parenting abilities. Teenage parenthood can present increased potential issues with money, social isolation, education (as in for teenage mums in college or school), employment amongst others and flagging this means professionals can be aware and support accordingly.

It will be local policy somewhere that an alert is places and there has to be a cut off. Incidentally, when the family nurse partnership was a thing (yay government funding cuts), which is targeted health visiting for teenage mums, you would have met criteria to be offered support if this was your first child.

I would see what they have to offer you, you never know what might be helpful.

I would be really offended too. Also demeans the situation of truly vulnerable people

@CherryPavlova commissioning resources is about calculating possible user numbers. It’s is not labling all those who may fall into that group as being ‘vulnerable’.