What is deemed as 'at risk'?

[Clarabell1982]

I really don't wish to be judged about this & would kindly prefer not to hear peoples' views towards my line of work :-)

I'm 32 weeks pregnant & at my midwife appt today, she is now deciding to raise concerns about the safety of my unborn. I work in the sex industry & she is now consulting her boss as to whether to involve 'child services'.

In the UK, the sex industry is perfectly legal, although some aspects aren't, I don't involve myself with these.

What is deemed as being at risk? I'll be leaving the industry once I've given birth as I hate doing this line of work anyway. Unfortunately, support groups for sex workers are highly unreliable so I feel completely on my own. My family have no idea about what I do for a living & I'm dreading the thought of social services being there when I've given birth & explaining why to my family.

I'm obviously very worried, really depressed now (Ive other worries on top of this) & I want to be/aim to be a positive role model for my daughter-to-be

[14yearsyater]

Well it comes a time in every parents life when you gave to think what's best for the child and not you. Having a child is not easy and you just might have to walk away from whatever it is that you do for a living and struggle until you can get back on your feet. Cause that's what a parent has to do sometimes

[emilly01]

Check out the gov.uk website to find out about maternity allowance and if you could claim. If you're a lone parent ie a single mum you might be able to get Income Support too. A quick look tells me self employed people may be eligible for maternity allowance. Hope thus helps x

[mummainoz]

Where is am 'at risk' means the child is at risk of harm whether it be neglect or emotional, physical or sexual abuse etc. If you're job is legal and you are providing a safe environment that does not expose the child to your line of work I'm sure you shouldnt have anything to worry about. If she does report you they'll probably come out and do a check of the environment and ask you some questions and then hopefully that will be the end of it.

[jessicaellis]

I have been where you are and I finally stopped after my baby was born....
Social serviced is not there for you no matter what . they are there to protect the views of society. You are in a tight situation as was I . I'm here if you need anything .
People believe that being part of the sex industry involves unprotected sex with strangers and it doesnt.
Diseases and bad influences for the newborn are what people consider as at risk.
Your in my prayers always and I hope things work out for you and your baby.
I'm 16 wks pregnant with my 4th

[Shohna]

If you go to google and enter maternity pay self enployed ive just found some info..if you have a read through it may help?also when baby is born you can spply for tax credits, child benefit and housing benefit if you rent..i found this all so daunting when i was first on my own with my daughter..(im assuming you are alone of not you may still be eligible for all depending on income)
I havent had much to do eith social services, but had a visit after a family member was reported to the police for child sex abuse..theyre only priority was making sure the children in the family were protected from him..and when we assured them my daughter and niece will not be allowed anywhere near him (whilst investigations ongoing) they were satisfied and that was that. Im sure if they spoke to you they would see that you love your baby and want what any mother wants, which is the best for you child.

[leannejoy696]

well I was told now in da uk miswife visit u b4 baby is actually born n if not happy wit ya they contact social services 4 every little thing... u hv to do what ya need to do... explain calmly to ur midwife tht u practice safe sex whats d a issue I dnt c y this would make u a bad person or ur gonna make a bad mum x

[Clarabell1982]

I have tried googling my question, but I'm coming back with nothing. I've seen on a forum that if u work from home, that may be seen as a risk, but I don't work from home

[Clarabell1982]

I would never ever have unprotected sex with any of my clients. I visit the GUM clinic every 3 months to ensure all is ok, even though I know it will be, and this is by recommendation of the GUM clinic anyway.

Oh I wish I could leave now but I'd have no income & I'm in the middle of doing my tax returns, so it's financially impossible. I'm too far on to just walk into another job.

I'm not sure if u can get maternity pay when you're self-employed? Plus I owe tax, so not sure they'd allow me to take that with owing tax? To be honest, I'm not sure I can afford to live on maternity pay :-(

Thanks to u both ladies for being kind :-)

[Shohna]

oh sweetie..i feel for you..i dont know anything about what you do or how social services view it..but the fact that you want to.leave and be a positive role model for your daughter is highly commendable..i refuse to judge anybody and i dont know your situation but is there anyway you could stop workimg now?past 29 weels in uk you can take maternity leave/claim maternity allowance or income support if you arent eligible for any pay..is this a way you could go in order to show you are putting ur little one first..i hope nobody is judgemental on here because i dont want you to be scared to look for help/find a way to get out of this position

[momof3ld]

Not using*

[momof3ld]

Maybe if you're having sex with multiple partners and not protection,  I think they would definitely deem that as high risk