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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Depression on medical records

27 replies

RubieWoo · 21/05/2015 11:19

Does anyone have depression on their medical records? Did social services get involved with your pregnancy? I'm worried there may be some involvement once my baby is here even though i'm no longer depressed and i'm convinced i've been misdiagnosed.

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FriendofDorothy · 21/05/2015 11:26

No reason they should unless there are other or more serious concerns.

DottyStripes · 21/05/2015 11:28

They'll be informed I think if you were recently diagnosed but no involvement unless any concerns

EffinIneffable · 21/05/2015 11:34

I told my midwife I had suffered from depression in the past - but it was not on my GP medical records and I hadn't taken medication. Telling the midwife triggered a a consultant appointment which I was a bit worried about, but she basically just had a chat with me and gave me some leaflets, and said no need for any further follow up. She actually said that as I had experienced depression before I would probably be in a better position to recognise and get help for PND if I needed it than someone who was taken by surprise. She did write it on my maternity notes, but this is just for the routine health visitor to pay attention to - it doesn't mean any different sort of care is being planned unless I do show symptoms of PND.

sianihedgehog · 21/05/2015 11:45

I do! Also anxiety and ptsd. They absolutely do not involve social services unless you are a risk to yourself or others, but they make sure to show you some extra care, and offer you fast access to help if you need it. It's all very supportive and totally non judgemental, and very private.

Original poster

RubieWoo · 21/05/2015 11:48

Thank you sianihedgehog, that's very reassuring.

OP posts:

ARV1981 · 21/05/2015 11:50

I have depression on my medical records after a period of severe depression just over ten years ago. I was nearly sectioned, but because I agreed to voluntarily stay in a mental health unit I wasn't - if I'd refused they'd have sectioned me .

I got the help I needed and am absolutely fine now. I get the blues of course, but nothing I haven't been able to handle since.

My midwife asked about depression at my booking in appointment and it's been noted in my pregnancy record but since then it hasn't been mentioned.

I don't know if that's because my midwife is lax or because it was so long ago. But I will say, any help you can get is better than suffering in silence. They won't do anything Victorian like take your children off you, just give you support if you need it.

Hugs xxx

Wishful80smontage · 21/05/2015 11:50

I did and nothing was ever mentioned. Honestly don't worry depression and periods of stress are more common than you would think a lot of pregnant women would have that on their medical history I would think.
Congratulations :)

LorryHen · 21/05/2015 11:58

I do and they haven't done anything. They have a dedicated mental health number for pregnant women where I live and she gave me their card and said I can call if I ever feel bad but that was it

badg3r · 21/05/2015 12:00

I told my midwife I had been diagnosed with depression and had CBT to treat it. This happened in another country so wasn't on my medical records. She took it in her stride and it wasn't mentioned again. I think they just like to know for if you display PND symptoms further down the line.

Hardly anyone knows that I had it because I am worried about being labeled. It sounds silly I know, but I figured the stigma attached to mh issues will never go away if people like me couldn't even admit to healthcare professionals that he had suffered from them! I hope everything goes well with you for your appointment, but I would not worry at all about telling your midwife.

CommanderShepard · 21/05/2015 12:02

I had suicidal ideation in my first pregnancy and obviously that was on my notes, but I've never heard a peep from Social Services.

Athenaviolet · 21/05/2015 12:06

Don't worry.

There was a question on the form I filled out myself at the start of the booking in appointment that asked about a history of depression.

They didn't check up on my records themselves.

If you have had problems telling them now is a good way of them looking out for signs of ante/post natal depression later on, but no they won't 'report' you to ss.

TinyMonkey · 21/05/2015 12:38

I mentioned that I'd been clinically depressed in the past, it was noted and they told me how to refer myself to the perinatal mental health people if I felt I needed it.

I was convinced I'd get PND given my history, but actually I've been fine.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

Queenofknickers · 21/05/2015 12:50

I have depression on my medical records, had ante and post natal depression twice and SS have never been informed or involved.

Emjones88 · 22/05/2015 14:44

Oh ladies, this was a good thread for me to read.

I have definitely suffered with depression in the past but never got it sorted professionally so not on medical records. I'm ok now somewhat thanks to my very DH.

I had worried about PND before we even had started trying! But now feel ok about it as I think I would know the signs and ask for help. Also knowing I can tell the midwife with no repercussions other than care helps a lot too.

VivaLeBeaver · 22/05/2015 14:52

There wouldn't be Ss involvement.

The question is asked because you're at a slightly higher risk of getting pnd or even ante natal depression. But even if you do get PND its unlikely that Ss would be involved. You'd have to be so depressed that your child was at risk of neglect for Ss involvement. And even then it's about trying to help and support initially.

Number3cometome · 22/05/2015 15:08

Yes, depression, OCD and an anxiety disorder.
I had a history of DV with my ex too, so they done a low risk mental health assessment and some background checks with SS.
I was totally honest and told them that I had spoken to SS previously (to tell them I was removing the children from school to leave my ex partner) and they were perfectly happy with this.

Since then, I haven't heard anything else, and other than the usual question from my midwife "do you have support at home" I have not felt that it is an issue

Stinkylinky · 22/05/2015 15:59

I'm also worried about this too. I was diagnosed with Bipolar about 6 years ago and for the last 5 I have had zero problems so I think I was misdiagnosed.

My midwife, GP and HV keep mentioning it and it's starting to annoy me. I have said that I am one million miles away from being how I was back then but I am also very aware of my feelings and know to ask for help. I am worried that they will be overly involved once the baby is here.

Stinkylinky · 22/05/2015 16:00

I also haven't taken any medication for the last 5 years, seen anyone or had any form of therapy and I'm thriving!

PacificDogwood · 22/05/2015 16:03

No, SS will not get involved simply because an expecting mother may have a diagnosis of depression or other MH illness.
Engage with those looking after you and I hope all will be well in this pregnancy.

SS a creaking at the seams as it is - imagine if they even tried to get involved in everybody who ever had depression

Number3cometome · 22/05/2015 16:06

Stinky as you are not on medication I don't think they would do anything other than a low risk mental health assessment, which is basically them asking you what was wrong at the time, ticking a box and that's it!

Hippymama1 · 22/05/2015 16:08

I've had depression, OCD and GAD for years and have been treated for it by the NHS over the last couple of years and for the OCD through my pregnancy and I have had nothing but support from midwives / NHS.

They make sure to ask me how I am feeling at my antenatal appointments but despite having the blues early on in my pregnancy, I am now feeling better than I have in years, if ever, so they just check in with me each appointment to monitor it I think...

PacificDogwood · 22/05/2015 16:08

Number3, medication does not come in to it either - the mother's wellbeing and her ability to look after the baby is all that matters, on or off meds.

Stinkylinky · 22/05/2015 16:09

Thanks number3 it's the bipolar that they seem to worry about a lot. I am totally convinced that this was a misdiagnosis though, I was just very depressed after going through a few traumatic experiences. I never experienced the manic highs that are associated with Bipolar.

OpheliaBitz · 22/05/2015 16:14

I have depression and anxiety on my medical records, and apart from the midwife and HV making a note of it, nothing happened. Even when I had a massive panic attack when DD was a couple of months old, called the HV in tears (who was at my house about ten minutes later and was fab), and had an emergency appointment with my GP, SS were not involved.

KittyandTeal · 22/05/2015 16:18

I have depression, bi polar, eating disorders and self harm on my medical records.

Social services weren't involved, I doubt the were even contacted. I was under the care of a perinatal mental health midwife with my first though. I would have been with my second too but she didn't make it far enough.

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