HV and midwife apps after giving birth

[captainshortie]

Its my first baby and im just wondering what theyll be looking for/at?

Will they be inspecting my house for cleanliness? Im not a dirty person just generally messy :/
Do i need to get dressed or are jarmies okay?
Will they let me know when theyre coming? Id hate to miss them and it be marked against me for example.
How long do they visit for?

Nobodies explained anything to me :(

My DD is 2 so may have changed but I think they come every day/ other day for the first week, I got dressed but just comfortable clothes leggings & lose tops, just make sure babies ok and gaining weight etc, as long as your house doesn't look a dump your fine you have a newborn they know it's not easy :)

They will also offer to check you down there especially if you have stitches etc

They look at whether you and baby are healthy, physically and mentally. That's all they give a toss about. Your house would only come into it if it were totally squalid or so spotless that it suggested you were struggling with MH. I've never had either go further than my living room/kitchen.

MW sees you two or three times post birth if all is smooth and you're usually both discharged from midwives as soon as baby regains birth weight (around day 10 if feeding well). They visit on day 2/3 and day 5 after the birth and then I went to them on day 10. You are officially discharged to the HV after this but they sometimes home visit a bit earlier just to see how you are doing.

They weigh baby, check baby's physical condition, check feeding is OK, take your BP and discuss how you are physically and mentally. I've never had stitches or anything so I don't know if they physically check those. There's no need to get dressed, they don't care. They generally call when they are on their way and give a rough ETA.

I’ve been told that a house that’s too clean and sterile is a worry as it suggest you might not be spending enough time cooing to your baby.

You can wear what you want.
They are checking baby is ok and putting on weight and feeding and your mood is ok.

I’ve been told that a house that’s too clean and sterile is a worry as it suggest you might not be spending enough time cooing to your baby.

It's more that excessive/obsessive cleaning is a potential warning sign of postnatal depression/anxiety/OCD. They aren't there to police your parenting and babies under two weeks old aren't awake enough for much cooing anyway.

I did wonder what kind of phone apps health professionals use these days, but I realise now that you meant appointments !

I’ve been told that a house that’s too clean and sterile is a worry as it suggest you might not be spending enough time cooing to your baby.

They must think I'm totally gone then because my house is always 'spotless' 😩

I was worried about that as well, I wasn't used to the idea.

Mine usually only popped in for a few minutes, ask a few questions to check how I and baby were doing and a few made suggestions. None ever commented on my appearance, no matter what I was wearing other than one who had seen me before thought I looked a bit pale which led me talking to my GP at the 6 week check and getting my bloods retested and finding significant deficiencies.

They'll also check the umbilical stump and make sure it's healing well and doesn't get infected.

Some sometimes ask for a look around the house as part of their checklist, but you're free to say no and it won't count against you or anything. I didn't - I was too sore and didn't really want a stranger in my bedroom at that time - and it was fine, no issues, it's just something they sometimes check.

I’ve had two children and all the midwives were lovely, far mor3 interested in me and the baby than anything else. They did hammer on about contraception a bit but other than that were very helpful.
My hv was also delightful and really boosted my confidence.

As long as the house isn’t dirty then I don’t think a bit of mess will be an issue.

My fourth baby is 6 weeks, midwifes and health visitor both came round calling so i knew, house isn't messy or spotless its a normal clean house but had my daughters toys she was playing with, they were lovely. I was sat in pj bottoms, a sports bra with my boob out feeding!! They will ask how you're getting on feeding, check babys cord, possibly weigh them. Will do heel prick test day 5. Check stitches if you want them too. Ask how you're feeling in general. They aren't usually intrusive and you do not have to cater for them, my midwife got on the floor to do my babies heel prick so i could comfort feed him. Overall they just want to know you and baby are settling well, managing to sleep and that you know you can ask for advice. Don't stress it will be all ok, they are usually lovely the community midwifes 😊

I'm sure they do run a rough eye around to make sure the house isn't knee deep in filth or similar but they're generally there to just make sure you and the baby are doing OK. It's not for judgement but for support. Absolutely fine if you are still in your pyjamas!

Sometimes they do ask to see where the baby is sleeping but it's more of a tick box to make sure it's a good cot or sensible co-sleeping and not squashed up against a radiator or something