First health visitor appointment

[captainshortie]

Just got a letter for my first health visitor appointment, just wondering what to expect?
Anyone got any advice?

Be honest if you have any concerns or worries - they are there to advise and support. It’s not a big deal, they aren’t there to try to suss out if you’ll be a shit parent or anything, they’ll just say hello, let you know about the services in your area and give you some information about safe sleep and feeding probably.

I had mine today. She made some vague noises about safe sleeping, asked how I planned to feed, asked how I was feeling generally, complimented the smell of my White Company Christmas candle and that was that.

Mine was 2.5 hours of being shown every leaflet and most of the pages of the red book.

General plan of expected visits after birth, 1 & 2 year checks, where weigh clinics were and on what days and if they were appointments or drop in.

Banging on and on about breastfeeding despite me saying I intended to try to breastfeed. Safe sleeping info. Vacinatuin schedule. Going through the nappy bags can suffocate newborn leaflet. Etc etc etc.

It was death by 1000 leaflets and so much information that my head was spinning and any useful info was lost. Thankfully everything that she said was in the red book or leaflet, and anything I needed to ask I could ring or speak to them when they visited after birth.

Thankfully she has retired and they don't seem to do visits before your second.

Gosh, mine was about half an hour!

About 45 minutes, really lovely, asked about my birth plan, how things were going, let me and DH talk about our backgrounds (anxiety and depression), seemed genuinely interested in helping me as I'm worried about PND. She said I could call her any time.

Mainly they are checking for severe depression and whether your partner is abusing you.

Just got mine through today and I'll be 36 weeks, thought I swerved it. It says in mine if I wish to call and reschedule or cancel I can but kinda of feel like I'll be judged if I do