Health Visitor not taking any notice that baby was premature

[Tallulahs09]

Hi,

So my son was born at 32 weeks, it will be 8 weeks this week since he was born. His due date was on Friday just gone.

Health visitor came out on Thursday last week and she said she's not happy because when she pulls him up by his arms his head is lagging behind. She said a he's a 7 week old baby and that shouldn't be happening. I told her he was premature so with his corrected age he isn't anywhere near 7 weeks old as we are only just at his due date. She then said that is irrelevant and he should still be doing everything a 7 week old baby would do and she would be expecting him to start smiling any time now too. She is coming back in 4 weeks and said she will refer him to the paediatrics then. He is already under the paediatrics anyways and has an appointment booked in a few weeks time.

Surely she is wrong though? Because when he left neonatal they said not to expect the milestones using dates he was born but instead use the corrected age?

[DinosaurDiana]

Will you be seeing the paeds before she comes back ?

[Esmeralda1988]

She's wrong. My baby was born at 34 weeks back in August and didn't smile until she was ten weeks from her birth date. My health visitor and GP both said that things like that should be kept an eye on but to expect some delay. My baby seems to be at the same stages as my friend's baby who is a month younger. The paediatric Dr will be able to advise you better.

[Mrsjayy]

My DD is 24 she was a 33 + weeker we were told it can take a year for catch up although it might have changed ,but I think your HV should have taken his age into account and clearly hadn't read his notes.

[Esmeralda1988]

Yes my HV said at 34 weeks they should have caught up by a year, not sure if that changes for a 32 weeker.

[Upsidedownfrown]

I had a 32wk, a 31wk and a 35wk. My eldest is 13 so not speaking from recent experience but my health visitor absolutely went by corrected age. We did find that by about 12-18 months, the corrected age didn't seem to be focused on so much but it was definitely taken into account with things such as head control, hand coordination, babbling, etc.

[Amichelle84]

She is wrong, development is at the adjusted age. He's technically been 'incubating' up until his due date.

[inquietant]

I would get input from your doctor but don't see that HV again - ask for an alternative.

Some HV are dreadful. Many are excellent.

Your doctor/consultant's view trumps the HV's personal opinions.

[user1493413286]

I had similar with my 32 week baby; at her 6 week check she wasn’t doing everything a full term 6 week baby would as she wasn’t even at her due date and I felt quite upset after. She was in that newborn stage for about 12 weeks and smiled 6 weeks after her due date.
When she had her 9-12 month check they took her prematurity into account and it was much better. We were told that until 12-18 months she’d be doing things a bit later but would catch up by then. In actual fact she’d caught by by about 10 months.
If you’re already under paediatrics I’d ignore her and just carry on what you’re doing. It’s traumatic enough having a premature baby without health professionals making you feel more worried.

[user1471457757]

My four year old was born at 35 weeks. They are expected to reach milestones at their adjusted age until they're two.

[eurochick]

She's wrong. I was told that for things to do with exposure to the outside world (immunisations and weaning) they go by actual age; for development they go by adjusted age.

[Greenknees]

I do worry about the consistency and quality of training for health visitors. I got so much (what i now know to be) wrong advice when DD was a baby and it was all said with such authority that I didn’t question it.

Your baby sounds like he is doing fine OP and it would be useful to somehow feedback to the health visiting team that you were given wrong advice.

[FelicityPike]

Very wrong.
You adjust their age until 2 years.

[LizFlowers]

She is wrong. Why people bother with health visitors is beyond me, they are worse than useless.

[PurpleMustang]

As others have said she is wrong. And from what I know the adjustment is used until they are a year. I would get a cheap diary and keep a record in there so you can keep track yourself. Not as a mechanism to worry but just to save you remembering everything and if medical people ask you will have all the info to hand. I would ask the hospital when you go there for some info, have a list of questions if needed. Have you joined any groups for prem babies, they could reassure you too. And finally you have every right to ask for another HV and say you don't want her again.

[Wowcherarestalkingme]

Definitely wrong. My 32 weeker is now 14 months and we stopped correcting his age at one. When I had his 10-12 month check the HV even said oh sorry I should have sent you the 8 month check list as he was prem.

[MyDcAreMarvel]

@Tallulahs09 wow has she never heard of adjusted age? HV are optional , personally I would ask for a different one or opt out.

[Tallulahs09]

Thank you everyone. I thought she was wrong but at the same time she upset me and made me feel like I was the one being stupid.

I didn't know health visitors were optional. I think I will request to see a different one and see if they are any better.

[Mylittlesandwich]

Definitely ask to change, my HV is lovely but I know some aren't.

[Souther]

She is definitely wrong.
Hopefully you child should have their 8 week jabs and also an examination by the GP?
You should be able to discuss your concerns there.

[PanamaPattie]

Don’t be afraid to ask for another one or just rely on an actual paediatrician- rather than an under qualified HV who will only refer you anyway. They are pointless if you already seeking help - something they should know if they bothered to listen to you.

[GilmoresForever]

My DD was 12 weeks Prem. All healthcare professionals adjusted her age including our health visitor. in fact she is 2 and a half now and they still do and have said they will until she is five!

[Esmeralda1988]

In my area having a premature baby means you get an enhanced service so I get the same HV and more frequent visits, although no one told me this, I just twigged that I was getting more support than my friends and asked. If that's the case for you then you'll want to make sure you aren't stuck with her for the duration!

[ItsReallyOnlyMe]

It may be worth writing to her (or her managers) pointing out that she was wrong - otherwise she'll not learn for the future.

This sort of thing can really upset new mothers - and could make any depression worse.

[nocoolnamesleft]

She's definitely wrong. Development (and growth charts) should be corrected for prematurity until the second birthday.

[ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing]

Corrected age for everything except weaning, isn’t it? I’d listen to the paed, anyhow.