Is a Social worker showing up during pregnancy normal?

SKIPPY

Did they put your name on the note too, if not they could have put the note through the wrong door and it's got nothing to do with you.

delain

A phone call or 'drop in' from Child Protection is never a good thing in my experience, there is always an agenda of some sort! How long have you known your wife? Is she likely to have any mental heath/social services involvement in her life before? Do you argue? If so someone could have rung up and reported you. It is odd that they are getting in touch so late in the pregnancy.

dianeio

I think it depends on were you live. I am pregnant and have had no such call (6 weeks to go), however a friend of mine is also pregnant (low risk pregnancy at the Ulster Hospital) and she had a telephone call from a social worker asking if she could make a house call. She was told that they do this sometimes when things are slow.

However I think its strange that they would make a cold call at your house.

Wench

Ah! I may know the answer to this one, my last pregnancy, I was asked if I had suffered previous depression ( whether post natal or just.. well everyday ) and I said I had, a note was then put on my file that a social worker would be out to visit me.

Obviously suffering with previous depression meant I was going to harm my child :rolleyes:

System

Wench wrote: »

Ah! I may know the answer to this one, my last pregnancy, I was asked if I had suffered previous depression ( whether post natal or just.. well everyday ) and I said I had, a note was then put on my file that a social worker would be out to visit me.

Obviously suffering with previous depression meant I was going to harm my child :rolleyes:

I think its just a precaution as a previous of history if depression can sometimes trigger post-natal depression

Though i do live in fear that if i ever have children they will assume i'm not fit to be a mother (personality disorder as well as depression :eek: )

dsab

Thanks for your inputs.

Wife has never had any deprerssions or anything else health related. We are both in our 30s, and it is our first child. Communication might be a problem... as far as the foreign Hospital staff not undertsanding my wifes funny Northern Irish accent.

Not too worried, as I have nothing to hide. But to be honest don't like the idea of them snooping around.

And yes, the note was for me, as it adressed myself by full name.

lynzpower

the_rottweiler wrote: »

I totally with above poster, DONT CALL THE NUMBER.
I have only heard of social workers visiting during a pregnancy when the family is known.
Please call your health visitor or your local social services office and check with them

This is absolutely not true by the way. I used to work in hospital social work and I often tried to make contact with ladies and or thier husbands/ partners if there were concerns raised. Midwives are a key point to identifying children who may be in need, from something that expectant mums say or do in sessions.

However, midwives often used to ask me to see ladies and partners if they were excessivly tearful/ distressed or hadmoney worries. SOmetimes it could be something as trivial as hand delivering a housing benefit form or helping expectant parents fill forms in. It might also be to suggest a package of care if the baby is known likely to be born with a disability for example. It might also be to look at packages of care if mum has to stay in hospital for an extended period of time, any prepaprations for other children that might need to be around, and no childcare ( eg overnight or when home from school. Social workers deal with all sorts of issues.

Dont worry about it keep an open mind,, go through the switchboard at the hospital, im sure its not "dodgy".

dsab

Just an update... just called the number they gave me, and it had nothing to do with us or the fact that my wife is expecting.

They got an anonymous call that someone "mishandled" their kids, and all the detail they had was a Car Registration. And the police had given them my name as the Holder of the Vehicle. But I sold the car in July, and even informed the DVANI of the transfer of ownership when I got a car tax reminder a bit later.

Anyway, all good now. Gave them the new holder, and they will investigate them.

DesG

Glad to hear it!

Bet you are relieved!!

Cheers, Des.

leftieM

It's good that you phoned. You may have helped save a child who is being abused. I'm amazed by the proportion of my adult (female) friends have been molested in some way during their childhood.