Referral to social services

[Peanut9825]

I’m currently 17 weeks pregnant and was sectioned about 6 weeks ago due to a bipolar episode. I’ve been told social services will be involved and I’m absolutely terrified they’re going to take my baby away. I’ve not met with anyone yet other than my doctor, she’s said I need to make sure I do everything that they tell me which has freaked me out. I really can’t lose my baby, has anyone experienced or know anything about this situation that could help ease my mind? I’m taking my medication, I’m doing everything and I should be discharged next week to home. I’m so stressed. Thankyou

I am a retired SW and i have a few questions. Do you have a supportive partner /family? Are you compliant with medication? If so you have little to worry about. One of my good friends was bi-polar and she had 3 children. There was never any issue. We all rallied round when she was evidently unwell and her family and DH were amazing.

My friend has a stay in hospital maybe once every two to three years for hers, she's a single parent but has a good support network and her kids school are also supportive. Make sure you've got a network around you, take your medicine and any treatment as prescribed, engage with social and fingers crossed you'll be fine.

I have supportive friends, my family live about 2 hours away though. The partner I don’t think will be involved. I am compliant with medication, I’m doing everything I’m told to!
Thankyou for your reply

Keep engaging with the healthcare professionals & keep taking your meds and take responsibility (or ask for help) maintaining your physical and mental health throughout the pregnancy.
I know you are frightened, but try not to worry, it is rare children are removed from mothers and there is support if you can use it.
The system not perfect, but no one wants to separate mother and child unless there really is no option. Even then there is opportunity to reunite the system has safeguards to try and give vulnerable families a chance.

Have you spoken to your parents and are they aware of the pregnancy? Are they supportive and what does that mean in terms of practical support while you are pregnant and afterward when you have your new baby?
Have you thought about who might be your birth partner?
It's a good idea to start working out how your nearest and dearest can support you, especially as your partner may not be involved.

And lastly, Congratulations on your pregnancy!!!

Thankyou so much for your reply you’ve made me feel better!
I have the option of going to stay with my aunty towards the end of my pregnancy and for the first few weeks of baby, she has 3 kids so I’m hoping social services will see this as a positive thing. I live about 3 hours from her usually, all of my family live that way. She’s going to be my birth partner also.
im just so so stressed about it it’s on my mind constantly, I can’t even enjoy my pregnancy like I was before!
Thankyou so so much x

There is a huge spectrum of support between zero and the baby being removed. That would only be done if absolutely necessary to protect it from harm. You clearly need support. To not offer you that would be doing you and your child a disservice.

Please keep engaging with social workers. My son and his girlfriend have ss involved when his girlfriend was pregnant due to their needs. Cognitive etc and they didn't engage very well thru the pregnancy, missing appointments, not wanting to work with them and even tho now they are completely doing everything they should be, it's all gone against them and my granddaughter is in care. We are fighting hard to keep her and it's all going really well but the sw did say if they had engaged at the start none of this would've happened.

Ask the social worker what you can do and what they want from you.

I never believed social workers work with families due to my own experience but I can't fault any of them atm, the sw is bending over backwards to help.

Take up any offers of support and don't be scared to ask them for help, it shows you're willing to be the best Mum for your child. Just don't bury your head like my pair have coz it doesn't help. Good luck x