Dear Coleen

WILL THEY TAKE MY BABY AWAY?

I’M 21 and currently pregnant with my second child. I’m in a new relationship and have a stable job.

When I was 17, though, I got pregnant and had a little girl. The relationship I was in was toxic and resulted in my baby being taken off me, and it still hurts so much.

My daughter is now adopted and I want her to know that I love her so much, and didn’t want this to happen.

I’m grieving for someone who is still alive and I don’t believe things should have escalated to the point where my baby was removed.

Now, I’m scared social services are going to take this baby too. I informed them of my second pregnancy and they want involvement.

How can I keep my cool? adoption support that may be of use to you (familylives.org.uk. Helpline: 0808 800 2222).

As for your worries over your current pregnancy, social services would only remove a child if there’s very clear evidence they’re at risk of significant harm and there’s a court order in place, too.

Again, Family Lives have useful info and advice.

I understand your worries but you seem to be in a far better place now. Rather than be defensive, show them your circumstances have changed and you’ve grown up and learnt from your mistakes.

Involve them in a helpful way and share your fears with them, too. Ultimately, they want to keep a child within their family.

Get a support network around by involving your relatives too.