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Original poster

Is it normal to meet the health visitor before your baby is born?

24 replies

Nikki2ol6 · 05/12/2016 09:28

My midwife told me she would refer me to the health visitor so then I got a call from the health visitor who wants to visit me at home today, I'm 35 wks pregnant. My baby is going to be very poorly when he arrives so I'm not sure if that's why she wants to see me?

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SILfoundmyusername · 05/12/2016 09:30

I don't think it's usual, but I think they sound very proactive in making sure you know who's who to support you and baby once he's born as it will be very busy when he is. I think they are taking good care of you.
Sorry to hear your baby will be poorly.

Hardyloveit · 05/12/2016 09:30

I saw mine whilst I was still pregnant - I think it varies between counties. You might be seeing them before if your baby wil be poorly though..... Ask her when she comes round.

smEGGnogg · 05/12/2016 09:34

We have that round this way too. They give you a bunch of leaflets about feeding etc and ask about any smokers or previous mental health issues in the house.

Its a relatively new thing.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 05/12/2016 09:34

It is in my area. I met my 1st hv in February 2010 before dc1 came along & it's happened before the birth of the younger 3 too.

It's just so they can meet you & introduce themselves before newborn fog sets in.

melissacx9 · 05/12/2016 09:36

In my pregnancy notes, there's a page named 'Pregnancy Planner' which has a list of all of the appointments I should have in my pregnancy - e.g. 12 week scan, 16 week midwife etc and then room to write it the dates and times of the appointments.

Some appointment boxes say 'only for women who are in their first pregnancy/high-risk', and others are - I assume - standard appointments for everyone. Immediately below the 34 week appointment box in my planner there is a box that says 'Health visitor antenatal visit', and it doesn't specify that this is only for certain women, so I assume that means that everyone should see a health visitor around this time.

I think it is different depending on the trust/area that you live in, so perhaps we just happen to live in areas where it is expected that you will meet a health visitor before your baby arrives.

SausageSoda · 05/12/2016 09:36

It is in my area - nothing to worry about!

SerialReJoiner · 05/12/2016 09:40

It's a new thing in my area, too.

Sillybeagle · 05/12/2016 10:01

Yes I had an appointment when pregnant with both of mine. Sorry to hear that your little one will be poorly-wishing you all the best.

Pocketsizedpixie · 05/12/2016 10:04

It's normal here. I found it very useful as she was able to put some support in place before the baby arrived.

BathshebaSnowflakeStone · 05/12/2016 10:05

No, they usually hand over at 10 days.

FizzBombBathTime · 05/12/2016 10:07

Normal where I live

Pointless ime, but normal.

Dixiechick17 · 05/12/2016 10:21

Normal here, just a way of them introducing themselves before baby arrives and giving you any contact info you may need after the baby is born.

sparkle789 · 05/12/2016 10:22

It's changed where I live and they come and see you before now.

Islacornx · 05/12/2016 10:35

It's normal where I live Smile
Apparently it's just so you get to know them before they come out to see the baby and can discuss any worries or questions with them x
So sorry that your little one will be poorly, wishing you both all the best and congratulations for when they arrive FlowersFlowers xx

JosephineMaynard · 05/12/2016 10:47

It's been normal where I live for at least the last 3.5 years, for all mums. It's about getting to meet them and getting some useful information / advice before baby's born.

Although with DS2 and DS3, they've managed to time the offered ante-natal HV appointments for after the babies were actually born.

Soubriquet · 05/12/2016 10:49

I was about to say no. But you've reminded me, I DID meet my HV before my ds was born.

Didn't with dd

Apparently it's a new scheme so that the mother is familiar with them first and won't feel as troubled about asking for advice

MoreThanUs · 05/12/2016 10:50

They've just started this in my area too (north wilts)

Trifleorbust · 05/12/2016 13:13

I think it's a good thing, I wouldn't worry about it. You get to meet them before you have the tiredness and stress of the baby on your hands, which I think will help make the relationship more fruitful

ChristmasArrangements · 05/12/2016 13:14

Normal for my two pregnancies.

fabulous01 · 05/12/2016 13:22

Normal
But if your baby is going to be poorly I would hightly recommend it. Build your link as you will need her support and expertise when baby comes. Good luck with it all

Becciilouisex3 · 06/12/2016 11:40

In some areas the health visitors like to do an ante-natal visit but it's not essential so if it's inconvenient, cancel it.
My midwife told me it was to discuss any concerns I might have and answer questions about breastfeeding etc so it might be more useful for first time mums than anyone else.

clumsyduck · 06/12/2016 11:41

Yea normal over here too

NickyEds · 06/12/2016 14:48

In my area it changed in between ds (who 7 nearly 3) and dd (who is 17 months). With ds we didn't see the hv before birth but with dd we got an appointment. As it happened they were so over stretched that the hv just rang and asked if we needed anything.

thecatsarecrazy · 08/12/2016 11:18

I've just received a letter saying they want to meet me and give me the child record book (red book) if the same and to make an appointment

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