Antenatal health visitor appointment??

[Tea1Sugar]

I've never heard of such a thing and didn't have one when pregnant with dd. Yesterday I got a voicemail from a very nice sounding health visitor, calling to arrange an antenatal visit. What's it for? I never met the last one until after dd was born.

This is a new scheme being rolled out since the Government increased the number of Health Visitors working in the country. Health visitors are given lists of expectant mothers by the midwives and then usually at about 30-34 weeks gestation the HV contacts the mother to arrange the ante natal visit - which is completely voluntary, you don't have to do it.

The idea is that you get to meet them before the baby is born as opposed to a stranger turning up when baby is 2 weeks old. It is also meant to act as a reassurance that you can ring your HV for advice from the moment baby is born instead of feeling you can't because you haven't met them yet. It also gives them a chance to meet you and talk to you about any pregnancy anxieties you have, or if you are having any worries financially or about the relationship etc. The idea is that if either you or the HV anticipate there being any problems after the birth (being your mental health, relationship difficulties, or anything really) they can be addressed early on. Most HV know that after having a baby the mother's mind can be an overloaded one so it is nice to be able to form a relationship beforehand whilst you are probably in a better state to digest all the information about the HV Team and their role etc.

It is nothing to be worried or concerned about

I had one not too long ago. (baby 6 weeks old)

Tbh, I found it a waste of time. Especially as it wad my second DC. Maybe it would have been a bit more useful if it had been my first DC.

The HV just asked me if I had any concerns about the pregnancy/having a new baby. She gave me some breastfeeding leaflets ect. Asked me if we were having any housing problems. That sort of thing.

Oh ok thanks

I had this with ds1 too 3.5 years ago. This time I've spoken to the HV on the phone as it's the same one as last time so already know her so it would have been a waste of her time to come and tell me the same stuff again. You should see her if it's a different one from last time but if not it would be pointless. x