baby is 8 days old. Should I have seen a health visitor by now?

[Izzy82]

AS title suggests really. People keep mentioning visits from health visitor but I haven't had one yet. Should I be going to them? Do I contact someone to instigate a visit (and if so who?). What does a health visitor do when they visit a newborn? no one has been to my house- not even midwife (I had to pop into hospital to get a midwife to check baby the day after he was born... Is this the same thing?)
Sorry for ridiculous questions

[TheHandmadeStaleBread]

I didn't see a HV until I was discharged from the community midwives at 10 days. They came about day 12 if I remember correctly.

[Only1scoop]

Had about 3 midwife visits in first week then hv came at around 2.5 weeks.

[Only1scoop]

Are you Uk based Op?

Does seem strange you have not had a mw visit....unless things have changed dramatically I thought they came day after discharge from hospital etc....

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

The midwife will pass you over to HV care when they've finished with you (I can't remember the number of days).

[Embolio]

Round here the HV will come and see you after you are discharged by the community midwives which is about 10 days post-partum. They will contact you in my experience, especially if you're a first timer.

[Fishlegs]

Do you mean you haven't been seen by anyone since the day after birth? I thought the midwives were supposed to also see you on day 5 for heelprick test and weighing, then also day 10, and thereafter the HV takes over.

[Only1scoop]

I'm reading it that Op has baby 8 days old and has had no midwife visit either.

[LittlePink]

I think the MWs expect you to go to them if the delivery was uncomplicated and straight forward these days. I know I was told a MW wouldn't come and I would need to take the baby to them at the hospital or clinic. I had a CS and a complicated labour so they came out to me in the end because of this but she only came maybe twice then I had to take the baby to them and they discharged me at around 10 days and the HV then called me and made an apt to come and see us shortly afterwards.

Seems odd they haven't told you when to come back or what will happen now though OP. I would imagine that once the MWs have discharged you from their care they will pass your details onto the HVs. The HVs are usually hot on contacting you as soon as they get a referral that you've delivered. They just come and weigh the baby and help with any feeding issues or any questions and tell you about all the different places of support and childrens centres etc then if everythings ok they tell you where and when to go to baby clinic and that's usually it if all is straight forward, from memory.

[Superworm]

You need to contact the midwives and tell them nobody has come to see you. I think they have forgotten about you.

They should weigh the baby to make sure feeding is going ok and they need to complete the heal pick test (a screening test) which should have been done on day five. They shod also be ensuring you are ok health wise.

The HV need to complete their first visit to you between day 10-14 and will contact you to arrange a time. Services vary a lot but essentially they should ensure feeding is going ok and introduce you to the service, baby clinics and provide general support or you both.

Congrats btw

[Izzy82]

Thank you for your help. I have seen a midwife the day after but had to go to them at the hospital. I will contact community midwife to check I haven't missed out on anything. Seems like I'm jumping the gun with HV- I guess I'll be referred next week.
thank you for taking the time to post

[AWombWithoutARoof]

Where I am the MW calls to your house until the umbilical cord has dropped off.

[Littlef00t]

You should get a 10 day check with midwife. I had to go to the local health centre for my dds. Thereafter you might get discharged but you can always ring and ask to speak to a health visitor or go to weigh in session where they are always happy to chat.

[Littlef00t]

Oh yeah 5 day check too. I was given a load of numbers to ring and had to chase for my day1 and day 5 visits.

[hollie84]

I had about 3 visits from midwives and then HV at about 10 days iirc. I would call the community midwives to check you haven't been forgotten.

[SadOldGit]

Did you see the MW when baby was 5 days old (day of birth counts as 0 day) as most areas do heel prick test when baby is 5 days old and you don't want to miss out (assuming you are in UK and want neonatal screening tests)

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I was seen on day 3 and then day 5 for the heel prick by the mw.

OP if you're in the uk your baby should have had the newborn screening test on day 5. HV take over on day 10. I would phone and find out what's happening and why you've been missed.