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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Midwife home visits

13 replies

redandyellowandpinkandgreen · 12/08/2010 17:35

Do they do this where you are? What are they looking for and am I being paranoid to feel a bit under inspection?

I have hoovered and dusted but the windows could do with a clean and if she is expecting to see a fully kitted out nursery and amazing hygiene levels then I am going to fail. I am wondering at which point they phone social services .

Should I put a bit more effort in to this and go and clean those windows??

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sarahscot · 12/08/2010 17:59

I went for my my initial booking in appt last week. We chatted a bit then she handed me a massive booklet to fill in and said she'd be in touch about a home visit to go through the booklet. Now, I'm currently sick as a dog so my house as a result looks much like a cesspit. My plan is to close all the doors so the only room she sees is the living room, then I'll only have to tidy one room. MWs are human too you know, don't think they'll be expecting a show home. I wouldn't worry too much about it!

cece · 12/08/2010 18:02

i've only had them come to my house after the birth!

ReshapeWhileDamp · 12/08/2010 18:07

I wouldn't worry - most MWs I know are very laid back and have children themselves, and are therefore used to squalor! Not that I'm saying your house is squalid, of course...

I think a midwife coming to your house is sort of nice and old-fashioned. I'd relax and enjoy the fact that you don't have to go out to see her! She's almost certainly coming to you because she believes in community midwifery, and making her clients feel comfortable and more relaxed. It's not an inspection!

HappyAsASandboy · 12/08/2010 20:47

I have to say I didn't even think about the state of my house when the midwife first came, and haven't for subsequent visits either .

We're in the middle of some quite major rennovations (floors up, channels in walls, dust everywhere etc), so the house is definately not baby friendly. I can see why it might need to be of a particular standard if you're requesting a home birth or something, but otherwise, is it really any of their business how you live?

mrslurkalot · 12/08/2010 20:59

I think they are just checking that you HAVE a house and that there are not used needles or dog poo on the floor!
Don't worry!

LittleSilver · 12/08/2010 22:28

I got a home visit 3-4 times during my pgs (but am very lucky in the area I live in, mw service is FAB!!)

northlondonchoclover · 13/08/2010 21:30

Question - does the hospital send midwives for postnatal home visits? Or is this arranged via your gp?

mazzystartled · 13/08/2010 21:36

I thought community midwives came out for your convenience, not for any sinister surveillance purposes.

choclover, in our area it is the same community midwives seen antenatally. all operated by the hospital.

maxpower · 13/08/2010 21:38

the hospital normally arranges post-natal midwife visits

northlondonchoclover · 13/08/2010 21:44

Thanks, was not sure whether I had to get that arranged separately. It's fantastic that the midwife visits to check how mum and baby are getting on. Don't think that happens in other countries.

cinnamongreyhound · 14/08/2010 13:16

Had my booking appointments at home with both pregnancies, I assumed it was for comfort/convenience as its quite a long appointment.

I really don't think they are coming to inspect you at all. It may give them an idea of your environment to enable them to provide a better service but otherwise they are there to see you and find out about your history and any questions you have.

Was quite surprised with this pregnancy as she did all my blood tests in my home and I was a bit worried about my carpet . Plus I'm a childminder and one of my parents arrived while I still had the tourniquet around my arm, had told them I was pregnant by that point!

KarinG · 14/08/2010 13:38

Just adding to what everyone else has said - dont worry. I had a home visit a few weeks ago as i want to have a home birth and the midwife said it was just to help her fill in a health and safety form - check access was ok, that we had hot water and a few other things (really, nothing much). I had obsessively cleaned the house before she came, but i needn't have bothered - she didnt run a white glove over my mantlepiece or anything! I think as long as you dont live in total squalor you have nothing to worry about.

whirleywoo72 · 14/08/2010 13:53

im on my 4th, and quiet old school because my kids are all grown up. im currently 34wks, my youngest of 14yrs is atill at home x i only got a visit when i had the babies every 2 days, just to check ur coping and well in urself, they expect a bit of disorganisation at first x lol

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