Aibu to want to see a HV throughout pregnancy

[M0naLisa]

I suffered PND after ds2. I had a HV see me every other week, at the heart of PND my HV saw me weekly.
Now I'm pregnant with DS3 would I bu to want to see a health visitor throughout pregnancy to monitor me and help me with any concerns I have?

YANBU. I think they should visit women before the baby is born for two reasons:

1. To establish who has high risk factors and needs a lot of help once the baby is born; and

1. To meet the mother and give the mother a chance to meet the HV and to establish what their role is and what they will offer. This would give many mothers the chance to sort out alternative support for things like breast feeding, diet, etc., before the baby comes.

YANBU to want to, but your hopes might not meet with the capacity of the HVs, sadly.

I'd assume it was under the GP's remit during pregnancy.

there are some mental health pregnancy nurses in some areas, might be more in their area tbh.

depends how your HVs work..

ours sees people if they request it, and are also available via drop-ins at the children & family centres

ours usually visit before your first child, and thereafter leave you alone unless they judge you in need of help (obv, asking for help is a sign you need it!)

I think its really the role of your midwife/ GP rather than a health visitor to help with ante natal depression/ anxiety. Some areas have mental health midwives who could give you support. I suggest you ask your midwife at your next ante natal visit about support if you feel you need it. Or maybe your GP can refer you to the community mental health team if there are concerns.

Also I think you have to think where and when you need the support the most. Their is a limit to the number of listening visits a health visitor can make. Its not a long term councelling service.

I never had an ante natal visit from a health visitor.

I saw a hv once during both pregnancys. Its standard here, for those who have a history of aids in immediate family. I unfortunately do have that history. They also arranged extra support if requested.

You need to share your concerns with the MW.

Depending on how it works where you live, the MW's and HV's may be closely linked and linked to a Children's Centre, so other workers (development workers) are available to ensure continuity of care, making sure that you are well.

why can't you talk to your midwife?

there is no reason you can't speak to the health visitor too, but the midwife is there for you during pregnancy.

in our area we have a maternal mental wellbeing clinic thingy that you can ask to be referred to, perhaps your midwife would be able to tell you if there is anything like that in your area?

I don't think HVs have anything to do with mothers pre-birth here. The midwives do all the antenatal care with a GP if necessary, and a couple of visits to the consultants clinic (but not necessarily to see the actual consultant. I saw mine three times in five pregnancies) and then the HVs take over after the baby is at least ten days old.

if your kids are still pre-schoolers, you can see the HV about how you are coping with them (wrt the pregnancy) - surely?

You might be offered extra support from midwives. Having had PND with dd1, I was offered a special clinic for my MW appointments that would give extra support. I declined it as it meant I would have had to go to the hospital which is harder for me to get to as I don't drive, so it was easier for me to have regular MW appointments at my local gp's surgery which I could walk to.

If your ds is still young, you must still have a named HV who may be able to see you on request.

In some areas HVs do antenatal clinics/visits (like the one I work in). This is part of The Healthy Child Programme and will eventually become universal. HVs will see women by 32 weeks and then again once the baby is born

However, your antenatal care is still provided by your midwife and she will be able to help and support you with your concerns.

If you have previously suffered from PND it will be on your record and both your midwife and HV will be aware (or they should be!).

Next time you see your midwife/GP mention your concerns. You could also ring your HV team (loo in your red book for the number) and ask to speak to the HV who supported you last time, she may still work there and could support you again

My ds' are 5 and 4 haven't seen a HV since ds2 was 2 yr old. :( I'm seeing midwife for first appointment in 2 weeks when I'm 12 weeks, after my first scan so will mention to her.

Also the midwife who supported me left to work in the social services department of HV I did have another one who I've seen once after her, so the midwife who helped me and looked after me doesn't work for them no more which is a shame as she was a rock for me

Antenatal mental health team at most big maternity hospitals,
For women at risk of depression or currently depressed other mental healthproblems. through pregnancy and postnatally.
Get gp to refer ASAP.or midwife.

I have been suffering from AND. My midwife referred me to a specialist midwife run mental health clinic, it runs every two months, although I can get in touch with the team if I need to in between clinics, I also stay under their remit until 6 weeks post-partem should I need them after being discharged by the community midwife. There may be a similar service on offer in your area.

I did need help prior to my referral, so saw my GP.

I hope you get the help you need.

Thank you il speak to my midwife when I see her for my booking in appt. x