PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

[sali93]

So I have a 1 year old baby and I am currently pregnant with my second baby. I've suffered with depression before I had my children and it's in my gp records because I overdosed 3 years ago and was hospitalized. After I had my first baby, the nurses and doctors would act so weird with me, they always asked how I was coping, how much support I had, who I lived with ect. One time I missed a gp phone call and they literally sent a health visitor to make sure I was okay. It makes me so angry that I always have to live in fear of my children being taken away from me when im literally the best mum.

Anyways, I just found out im pregnant with my second baby and I went to the gp, and she saw my sh scars on my arms, which are farely dark. She made my husband go out and asked if I was being abused, I reassured her that im not and that these are old scars from 3 years ago. But im scared that she will be able to tell that they're not old. WILL THIS EFFECT ME OR MY CHILDREN. Will social services get involved? Im so scared please lmk❤️

Are you getting help for SH. If not then intervention is needed

If they are not old then you do need support. Ask your HV or doctor if there is a local perinatal mental health team.

If there haven’t been any referrals from social services / police / school / nursery / health visitor etc regarding concerns for your mental health or safeguarding for your DC you have nothing to worry about.

It sounds like you do need some help but there is a huge difference between help and taking your children away. I think you should get that support and work with them, you have nothing to hide. You love and care for your children, but actually being defensive makes it look more suspicious than it is (when in fact there isn't a safeguarding issue).

Please don't worry OP. Needing support with your mental health is a world away from being an unfit mum. I can understand why it would make you feel scared though (albeit I have never been in your shoes so cannot fully comprehend how frightening that must be for you). Sending you love xxx

It sounds like with your first the health professionals were just making sure you were ok having been unwell before, rather than looking to take baby away or involve SS. They would be looking to see you didn't have PND. If your scars are more recent then you need to let the doctor know so she can help. It's not clear from the post if they are old or more recent.

Nothing in your post suggests anyone is about to put a referral in to ss but health care staff have a duty of care to ensure you are safe. All pregnant women should be asked several times during their pregnancy if they are experiencing domestic abuse.

It won’t effect you in the sense that people are going to start talking about removing your child. Pregnancy and having a small child puts all women in an emotionally vulnerable place, even more so if you’ve had mental health difficulties in the past and if you have a small gap between children.

Take all the help you’re offered. I have had involved with maternal mental service after the birth of my first child and in the run up to the birth of my second and it was incredibly helpful.

If the scars are recent, seek help. They won't be looking to take your children away, but you should ask for support. Are you feeling anxious?

All pregnant women are asked about abuse. That's a normal question. I'm on my 3rd pregnancy with same DH, I must have been asked two dozen times in total by now.

Best of luck, OP.

It must be really difficult feeling challenged and questioned but being defensive won't help. The services aren't there to take away your child, they are there to protect children. If they don't ask the questions so much would be missed. Engage with them and take any support offered. You never know, it might be of help!