Meeting health visitor before baby comes?

[peodar]

Just got a letter with an appointment to meet a health visitor at approx 28 weeks. Definitely didn't do this last time - same hospital only 2 years ago. Any ideas why it's changed?

No idea. Had this with my last 2 but not the others. They just come and introduce themselves, talk you through the guidelines of having a new baby. Bit pointless in my opinion. Especially if you've had a baby recently (which I had)

I've heard scare stories of health visitors wanting to see the babies sleeping place, check cupboard and fridge for food etc but that didn't happen with me and if they'd tried, I'd have given them the sharp end of my tongue.

Same happened to me with dd2, didn't happen with dd1 a few years earlier. She asked me to fill in a questionnaire and asked a few questions about my pregnancy and that was it. Never asked to see where baby would be sleeping etc but they did to my sister who lives in the same area. I don't know why, maybe just to pick up any potential problems before the birth like pre/post natal depression or domestic issues.

I had this. She just asked a bit about me and my feeding options etc and what her role was

I got that last time but not this time.
I think it must vary from area to area and also they may change their guidelines in an area.... which is why you might be getting one now!

They just come and have a chat with you. I only saw mine twice. Once at 28 weeks then once after the birth.
I saw another one when we moved house because they come and see you when you move areas if your child is under a certain age.
And I had one come for the 2 year checks.

I've just had a letter about this too, I'm 35 weeks and will be 37 weeks when she comes. I think it's a good idea for a first time mum as I don't really know much about their role and what to expect so I think it will be useful to meet them before baby is here and have them tell me a bit more about who they are, what they do etc. I'm not bothered about them coming to my home, I totally understand why they would want to and anyway it's more convenient for me as I'm having more difficulty getting out and about now! But I guess if you've already had a child before, especially if fairly recently, it might seem pointless.

They are ideally meant to do this but in reality most areas are too short staffed to be able to do it so it often doesn't happen.

I’m glad I never met mine until after birth as she was horrible. I rarely make formal complaints but did about this woman, as did other parents I knew. She was replaced.