health visitor contact at 24 weeks pregnant

[vadersparkles15]

My Hv telephoned me today... Never had this with ny first 11 years ago... She was asking lots of questions, even my dentists address. she asked for my partners dob, my children's school their dob.... Is this normal??

My HV did a visit in 3rd trimester. No idea why they would want to know details of dentist or jobs though! Understand asking about ages and schools of other children.

To be honest once got past first few months hardly saw my dentist and apart from 1yr and 2yr check not seen them and they not wanted to see us, even if it would have been helpful

Saw HV not dentist!

I'm just confused. I don't understand why she needed to ask so many questions... She even asked me if I suffered any domestic violence or if I had control over my own finances.. she also asked if I drank or tookdrugs..... Very odd and shocking my lifestyle is so not like that... I'm a normal mum who works, cooks tea and then drinks hot chocolate and tries to stay away past 10pm...

Are they perhaps doing a survey of sorts without actually saying so? Not to say you've been targeted, more like maybe they've been reviewed and found wanting in the 'care for mum's to be' department?

Certainly I think I'd ask the relevance, you're entitled to know. I wouldn't want to share that much

Did she not explain why she was asking? I would ring the office today and ask about it.

Don't know about the probing dentist questions but they have to ask the domestic abuse stuff to ensure you and the baby are (feeling) safe and supported to be able to identify those who might be at risk.

I guess the rest of the questions are just them getting a fuller picture of the household if they've never seen you before? It's worth enquiring why they need all the info though as agencies are only supposed to collect the data they need and use and if they're collecting 'extra' it should be for a specific purpose and they should be clear about what it's for and how they use it.

It is standard to get a visit before birth now, I know in my area they see everyone. No idea what sort of questions they ask- I don't have other children so none of those would be relevant

Oh meant to say I just had my 24wk / DS's 3yr visit - HV asked about DA, plans for my DS's nursery place and if he goes to the dentist regularly, if that helps!

You're very lucky! I met with a HV manager last week and they are supposed to make contact in pregnancy and after. Not many get that as they have so many people to look after!