Mental health on pregnancy notes

[FindingNemoandDory]

Just had my booking in appointment at ten weeks, all good apart from embarrassing dizzy moment after the bloods!

I'd said no to mental health issues as haven't ever been diagnosed with depression or anything but forgot I do have scars on one arm and leg from some very misguided cutting as a teenager (about 15 years ago!) Apparently it's not in my "normal" medical notes.

They aren't dramatically conspicuous as so old but the midwife spotted it when doing blood pressure checks.

She's written on my notes in my pack "cut arms as a teenager but no concerns at all now" and not made any referrals

No doubt I'm worrying unnecessarily but this won't trigger social services or anything will it? Rationally I think not but so excited about baby and have read scary stories (probably unfounded!) about this kind of thing in tabloids.

I am lucky to have a good support network so although I'm prepared for the possibility of PND I don't think there's anything unique to worry about in my case.

Has anyone else been in a similar position?

Please don't worry.

I have experienced periods of depression since being a teenager and was open about this. After my first DS was born I went on to develop PND and had hallucinations. I had support from the GP and counselling for this and at no point were SS involved.

I'm currently pregnant with DS2 and have been open about everything that happened last time. I'm under the care of the perinatal mental health team and again there is not even the suggestion of SS involvement.

Your midwife would have made that note as the hormones and changes in pregnancy can make you vulnerable if you have had MH issues before. Please do not worry about it

I've had periods of depression treated with antidepressants. Before having my son, I was really low during my pregnancy and had PND. All this was put on my notes for this pregnancy. It's also noted that I haven't taken antidepressants for a long time. Never had any issues.

I'm certain more people have suffered than what you think.

Sorry that you've both been through this but thank you for sharing experiences. It's good to hear that support is available without unnecessary intervention.

I know really that social services even if they were involved are primarily there to support but for some reason the notes made me nervous!

Hello . I work on a maternity unit and social services will most definitely not be informed . Don't worry at all

Hi, i'm a midwife and I can assure you this will not trigger any kind of SS referral. It would be more for ante/postnatal depression for support but your care will be exactly the same as for any other woman

Pretty much the exact same is on my notes. Baby not here yet (I'm 38 weeks) but it's not been mentioned since.

I wouldn't worry about it, I'm sure it's lore common than you think.

This is a worry of mine also, I do have some mental health history on my general medical records, OP I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread but in an ideal world I would like to explore the possibility of a home birth (as long as everything is okay with baby and I have a low risk pregnancy) but I am worried that my MH history will prevent me being able to this. Can anyone advise on this? X

Thank you all so much for your reassurance, has made me feel much better!

Terriersandtea - not at all, I hope you get the answers you need. Irrational as I am about my own situation, as an outsider for you and not an expert I'd have thought it wouldn't have any impact on birth choice? In fact you'll be more relaxed at home. Midwife still asked me what kind I wanted (though I know for sure I'd prefer birth centre or hospital)

I think the mental health questions are more geared towards coping with hormones before/afterwards?

Hope you get your home birth!

My niece's mother has bipolar disorder and was on medication, which she had to go off of during pregnancy, plus she was a "young mother" at 20, and a single mother--and even so, with all those factors, she was only supported by social services (and only temporarily) when the 6 week appointment showed problems that affected the baby's health. (The mother was trying to breastfeed but was so obsessive about losing her own weight that she wasn't eating enough, and the baby wasn't putting on weight). I am certain that the MW has only noted your history in case you come back with your own concerns later, and SS are in no way connected to this. So don't worry about it at all, I'm sure you're going to be a brilliant mother!

I have past mental health issues on my notes including past self harm etc and no referral was made. I was just told it is noted as I may be at higher risk of PND so it's to keep an eye on that. It's not came up at all since apart from midwife asking how I'm generally feeling emotionally at appts so I wouldn't worry! (now 40 weeks very ready to pop 😅)

I work for children's services and I would say that the chances of her referring to social services are incredibly slim and I also don't think they would be interested (in the nicest possible way)

Thanks everyone I feel reassured now, I didn't want to mention it at an appointment incase it flagged it up unnecessarily xx

To be honest the best reason for it being recorded there is that if someone else notices your scars they don't have to keep asking you about them.

Best wishes!

I suffered with major clinical depression during my early 20's. I was very honest with the midwives (scariest thing I've ever spoken about). They have been amazing, always checking in to see how I'm doing. Never make me feel pressured, but I know it's ok to ask for help if I need it. Especially with the pregnancy hormones!

It's more so they are aware and can quickly help if needed