Calling all health visitors/midwives…what things are you looking at in homes you visit?

[Dawndaffodils]

I’m preparing for the health visitors for a home visit and I’m currently nesting.

I’m really paranoid about cleanliness right now and just wondering what kind of things do they look for in homes? Obviously good hygiene and cleanliness levels throughout.

I have a couple cats, should I put them outside during the visit? Would they be horrified if my cats are on the sofa or on my bed snoozing? What about where I put the litter tray? It’s currently in the downstairs toilet, out of the way and rarely used as they go outside in the woods behind our house. But would they think that’s an inappropriate place? I wouldn’t put it in the kitchen and we don’t have a utility room.

Sorry my mind is just over thinking!

Please don't worry, Health Visitors and Midwives are not environmental health inspectors, they are trained health professionals. They are more concerned to support you in your pregnancy and when baby arrives, they want you and your baby to be healthy both physically and emotionally. You may want to reflect on why you are feeling anxious about cleanliness and how that may create stress for you with a newborn or if you are experiencing anxiety generally. You could talk to them about that, they could support you they would be more interested in that, than your home environment.
They wil, probably want to discuss plans for baby's sleeping arrangements, so may ask to see the bedroom, probably after the birth. This is just to help about safe sleeping guidelines, rather than expecting a pristine home. They will not expect you to put the cats outside, but if they are going to climb all over them, they may prefer them in another room. They may discuss how the cats wil, react to a new baby. They may advice on home safety too, but their main focus is on your emotional and physical health
Try not to stress, focus on enjoying your pregnancy

Mine just sat in our kitchen, asked questions about our knowledge of safe sleeping, re co sleeping and nothing in the cot with them and sleeping feet to end of crib etc

Just asked a few generic questions about ourselves and that was it, didn't do a tour of the house. Was just an informal chat, she also gave us leaflets on where to get help for various things once the baby was born and her number if needed

In my experience, after 3 children, they don't do any sort of house 'inspection' at all. When mine came, I made them a cup of tea and we sat in the living room. I certainly wouldn't have let them in any other rooms or upstairs! Remember you have absolutely no obligation to allow them to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Also a word of warning - feel free to check with another medical professional or ask for a second opinion if any if their advice doesn't sit right. You know your own body, and your own baby.

In my experience with both midwives and health visitors they come in to your house, sit where you show them to and don't really move except to the floor to do bits with baby- I've never had one look round my house before. I had a cat when my first 2 were born and other than saying about cat sleeping in with baby there were never any concerns or other mentioning of the cat- it's more dogs they worry about especially certain breeds! So your cat snoozing on the sofa or walking around wanting attention isn't going to phase them- I always say to anyone coming to my house "I have a cat is that okay? I can put them away" mainly in case they have any allergies

Good mothers live in mansions with a housekeeper , but more importantly , good mothers live in one bed , high rise bedsits . It doesn't matter where you live .

I think you are over thinking this. I've recently had a baby and yes they do come to your house but they are there to support your well-being (physically and mentally) and to help you know how to keep your baby safe (safe sleeping etc) They asked about baby's sleeping arrangements but did not look around my house/bedroom! We have cats not that they would have known that as they only sat in the living room and didn't see them etc. Please don't worry.

Agree with others. Every time I've had a home visit they've only ever stayed in the living room.
I imagine if they walked in to a house that was clearly filthy - and I mean to an extreme level that may flag up some concerns and they'd refer for extra monitoring/support but a bit of general untidiness won't bother them.

Just to add to that with my first baby I did tidy and clean lots in preparation but with the second I just didn't have the time or energy so it was a bit messier, toys out everywhere and generally not as clean as I would like but they didn't bat an eyelid.

They are there to help and are generally very unobtrusive.

We did have one midwife ask to put the cat out and tell us we needed to be careful as the cat will smell blood (during heel prick test) and think he's food!!

We did put him out the room and we found it quite funny, did she think he would eat DS?!!!

My hv stayed in the living room. She chatted about safe sleep ect and I offered to show her where he sleeps but she said it was ok. She did wander into the kitchen to put something in the bin but asked if she could first. On her first visit she said to me she wasn't here to check up on me/the tidyness of my house as a lot of people think they are. She was there to support me and the baby. Don't overthink it x

You just need to remember: If they accept a cup of tea in your house, then your house is fine.

@TheLovleyChebbyMcGee

They are there to help and are generally very unobtrusive.

We did have one midwife ask to put the cat out and tell us we needed to be careful as the cat will smell blood (during heel prick test) and think he's food!!

We did put him out the room and we found it quite funny, did she think he would eat DS?!!!

Wtf 🤣🤣🤣

My midwife does home visits for my appointments and last time I had to apologise as she had nowhere to sit as my house was literally a building site and she said don’t worry I’m here to check on you not your house.

You’re over thinking it
As long as your home isn’t a danger to public health, then you’re fine.
As others have said, it’s mostly about making sure you’re informed on safe sleep and checking what your situation is re: support when baby arrives.
The HV I had with baby number 3 was so down to Earth. I apologised for the untidiness and she told me that considering I had 2 toddlers and a newborn in the house, she’d be concerned if the house looked too clean!!