Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Referral To Social Services?

35 replies

midori1999 · 19/02/2010 16:24

At my booking appointment with my midwife, I was asked if I had ever suffered from depresion. I have, so I answered yes and was told that they would need to contact social services re this. The midwife rang social services while I was there and said that no referral had to be made.

However, I had a phone call today from Social services to say I was on a waiting list and someone would be contacting me re a visit. I'm not worried, and have nothing to hide, but I really feel it is over the top. Surely have a past history of depression does not mean my children are at risk in any way? I have never had any social services involvement before.

Is this the norm these days? Didn't happen with my previous children.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MillyMollyMoo · 21/02/2010 16:51

I got myself really worked up because the midwife insisted I saw the heart specialist for a heart condition, well I don't have one, I was born with a hole in my heart which was fixed when I was 9 and I was fully discharged at 16.
Since then I'd had three other children, normal births and delivery's.
But this midwife insisted I saw the consultant and refused to sign off my home birth or indeed MLU until i'd seem him.
Well the consultant walked into the room, read my file and said I don't know why you are here, I'll see you if you get to 42 weeks to discuss induction and left.

I'm convinced the midwives feels as if anything has to be double checked at the moment.
Try not to worry I was a right state at the time, over nothing.

It also makes me feel like I am saying as little as possible to anyone about me or my children in case it's taken down and used against us

porcamiseria · 22/02/2010 09:51

when I read shit like this it makes me think Id rather lie. honestly! So many ppl have suffered from depression at one time or another FFS.

SS and health visitors scare me!

Dont let it get you down but they are overeacting big time

I mistakenly told the midwife I had had cannabis a million years ago,and I made it onto their pregnant druggie list!

I get they have to do this, but seems to be very misguided to me...

Original poster

midori1999 · 22/02/2010 10:35

Well, I rang them.

I was apparently referred purely because I have had depression in the past and live in an army family, so they are worried about my level of support as I odn't live near my family.

I can sort of see where they are coming from, but honestly! Who is to say Mrs. Jones down the road, not in an army family has any support or even speaks to her family? They don't ask that at your booking appointment! It seems discriminatory to me and based on some misconception of army life, as actually, there is far more support available to army families than the general community.

Anyway, once I explained I have support if I need it, and have successfully managed to have three children and bring them up, despite not living near any famiyl at the time, she spoke to her supervisor who said I do not need a visit, but they'd like to check with my GP and Health Visitor if that is OK. I have agreed to that and I can't see any problem, I don't have depression now.

I can see how someone could be really worried by all of this.

Thanks to those who replied.

OP posts:

sb6699 · 22/02/2010 11:30

I have no experience of SS/depression so cant offer any advice.

Just wanted to let you know I was here and offering a bit of hand-holding since you have taken alot of time on my "pup" threads.

I am sure its just routine and everything will be fine.

Besom · 22/02/2010 17:05

Glad that has worked out for you.

MumNWLondon · 22/02/2010 20:29

Hi - my very close friend had a history of depression, most notably when around 10 years ago she was jilted a couple of months before she was due to get married. She ended up in the Priory for weeks and weeks, in a really bad way. Gradually though she got her life back together and met someone new and got married. No one asked about any history of depression during her first pregnancy.

Anyway once her DD was born she had terrible PND. I actually didn't realise how bad it was until I read the book her DH wrote about it. She was basically totally suicidal. anyway with much support/medication etc she got over it and had appropriate care when her DD2 and DS were born that the PND did not come back. She is V angry with the NHS that no one thought to ask about this when she was pregnant the first time, as if they had perhaps she could have avoided what she went through.

colie · 22/02/2010 20:50

pleased your mind has been put at rest.

Oblomov · 22/02/2010 21:34

another over zealous mw/hv/gp refering to ss ? happened to me too OP. sorry it happened to you. glad its been resolved.

2babesmum · 22/02/2010 22:44

Still disagree with the referral but if it's any consolation there is a q about available support in my pregnancy notes and I was asked who I had around x

spunkie · 02/05/2010 11:59

Catholic Home Educating family - local LEA came round asked for entry, which legally they're not entitled to, so family said no, officer reported them to SS, said kids were in danger, they weren't, now they've had to flea the country with the SS in hot persuit threatening to take the kids away. Please help by signing the petition.

www.ipetitions.com/petition/ukssleaveourkidsalone/

Flip

1 2