Anxiety over social services

[Oksanaangu]

Hello,

I hope this is the right thread to post this, I apologise if not.

I would like to know everyone’s thoughts on the current child protection system, specifically the fact that any unexplained bruising etc. have to be referred to social services for investigation. I’m pregnant and have not even had my baby yet but already this is stressing me out so much. I keep hearing these horror stories about babies and children being taken away due to what turned out to be an underlying medical condition etc. This is a wanted pregnancy and I am in a really good relationship, we don’t smoke, drink or anything like this, don’t have any bad history and I know we are going to be great parents. But I have this fear of being accused wrongly of something horrible. I know this is probably very unreasonable. One thing that makes me even more worried is that I’ve always bruised easily myself, even now I have a few light bruises on my legs that I cannot explain. I keep thinking about what happens if my baby will have this as well.

I probably sound like I’m crazy Do you think I’m overthinking it?

Yes, you are totally overthinking it. With respect, you need to speak to your MW or GP about your anxiety in general.

What you need to remember is that there is a huge gap between an incident that may be refered to children's services, and children being removed, either temporarily or permenanley.

Yes, innocent incidents may be referred, but the true circumstances are usually gained in hours or days,, and normal life goes on with no ongoing involvement.. It may not even require a social worker to visit.

Any removal can only take place within a legal framework

I agree that you ought to share your fears with your mw or hv.
It’s not about unexplained bruises as such.
Most toddlers end up with black eyes, (knocking into coffee table) bumps on cheeks, cut and bruised knees and bruised bottoms. It’s all perfectly normal. My little ones often have bruises and I have no idea how they got there. It’s bruises in certain areas that can’t be explained or certain injuries which don’t fit parents story.
A toddler can be super fast when they want to be and can outsmart an adult.
Just take precautions ie stair gates, remove hazards and remember, a quiet child is often up to mischief ( unless asleep)
Anxiety is fairly common in pregnancy and after giving birth so it’s important to know yourself. If it’s causing you distress, please seek help. You won’t be the first and you most certainly won’t be the last.

Go to the GP and ask about your bruising. They can do tests. Are you particularly bendy? If so Google the RCGP Ehlers-Danlos toolkit.