Health visitor home visit at 36 weeks

[Kej13]

Hiya
I've got the health visitor coming tomorrow and I'll be 36+1 with our first.

Just wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect from this meeting and what they'll want to know/see so I can be prepared? To be honest (completely clueless first time mum obviously!) I thought they only came after you'd had your baby 🙈

It will just be a short chat you dont need to know or show anything. They will give you some information on their service and may be give you your childs red book in advance but this might be given at the hospital. They have scrapped these pre birth meetings now in my area and gone back to just post birth now which I think is better.

I never had this visit - DS was born at 38 weeks, I think they were supposed to come that week. I heard they’re just there to introduce themselves really and make sure your clued up on safe sleep and who to contact if your worried about anything.

Mine was ten minutes and a waste of time really. I think all she wanted to do was check we had a decent house!

Never had one before the baby was born

OP prepare to be made to feel as if you’re on some sort of watch list here.

They just come and say hello, and tell you what’s on offer in the local area. Of course they have their eyes open for any major red flags/safeguarding issues but unless you have drug paraphernalia lying around or something, they really aren’t ‘checking your house out’ or anything like that. They will not care at all if it’s a bit messy. It’s an opportunity for you to voice any concerns you might have and ask questions. When I saw my HV for the first time, I told her about my mental health history and we discussed the support I might need after birth for example.

@mystupidmistake what happened??

Thank you! I was hoping it would be a waste of time to be honest 😂 we of course don't have anything to hide and have everything ready for DS when he comes home but I always feel like they're here to judge me 🙈 maybe that's just me!

Mine asked me to lie down on my sofa so that they could measure bump and listen to baby's heart beat.

Can't really remember much else, it was mostly a chat. Good luck!

Mine was an introduction to the health visitor and the service. A little background on what they did, the importance of child’s development. She asked some qs about mine and OH health etc. Some bits similar to booking in apt in that regard. It was fine. I didn’t feel I was being judged nor did she ask to see anything. Lasted no more than half an hour.

Mine just came to introduce herself ask if l had any worries or questions and left!

During mine, she asked a lot of questions to help her gauge the overall ‘context’ of us as future parents. What we did for a living, what family was nearby for support, whether we smoked, whether we had pets etc. It was a pretty broad spectrum but she was lovely and not judgemental. She didn’t ‘inspect’ the house or anything like that (even though I spent hours cleaning in advance just incase she did!)

Congratulations! As above nothing to worry about. When they came to see me they were checking my support network, asked questions about any family health complications (things that might be inherited and things which may change your dynamics - for example poorly granny who relies on your support), environment is generally safe, answer any questions you might have, feeding plans to know what support to offer (doesn’t need to be set in stone, but typically ours don’t push bf if you’ve said at your first that you plan to formula, and will ensure you know where clinics are for help with bf etc.

My old hv said they just like to get to know you before the baby comes rather than a stranger appearing and taking your baby off you to check and weigh and stuff when you are less than a fortnight post birth and feeling vulnerable. It’s nit to check up on anything and afterwards you probably will indeed feel like it was a waste of time.

Oh good!! Like I said nothing to hide and they can look around all they like just wanted to know what to expect! Did anyone get their red book at this appointment? I've heard some do and some don't?

I never got my red book until I was being discharged from hospital with baby

This is all new since my last baby 11yrs ago. They will have a shock when greeted by my very hyper bouncy dog! I won’t be shutting him away as I don’t shut him away with guests now and won’t be shut away when baby is here either. Xx

Mine asked loads of questions about my upbringing and whether I was in an abusive relationship. She also did a copying with crying video and gave me loads of pamphlets. She was there ages!

Coping with crying not copying 🤦🏼‍♀️

I got my red book at that appointment I think.

@cakesandphotos that sounds personal. I was asked about relationship at my booking appointment and I get that. But upbringing? Blimey! Xx

@Starlight84 What a weirdly hostile statement.

Will you be doing the same when the midwife comes to see you at home? What about when they need to do your baby’s heel prick test? Do you expect them to do it with your poorly controlled dog bouncing all over the place?

Wasn’t meant hostile in any way. And obviously baby checks are different. My dog is excited around new people. That’s all. He calms after a couple of minutes. If anyone comes to the house with a fear of dogs that’s also different as well.

@Starlight84 I just assumed it was normal but looking at replies on here, maybe not! She was asking me about how I was disciplined as a child and how I planned to discipline my child

I had my antenatal health visitor check at a centre, so I don't think they are arranged to check your house!

@cakesandphotos awww ok. Maybe just curious then or like to hear peoples stories :) I think my midwife said if it’s not first baby or any issues they may not come if they are busy until after the birth so I will just see what happens. She made it sound like it was more a quite introduction and check you are ok and ready for birth. Quite informal xx