Is it normal for a Health visitor to do a home visit before the baby is born?

[SatHereSitting]

Hi, I know this isn't important really but its bugging me slightly. Received a phone call yesterday afternoon saying that a Health visitor would be visiting me today in the morning (Im 29 weeks)

I said I was busy and that it would have to be next week instead, to which she sounded put out. I also said no one had mentioned this to me, and she said oh its for when the midwife stops visiting etc. I said I know this, but the baby hasn't been born yet

So whats bugging me is, that they expected to come round on very short notice, then sounded annoyed when I said no to their day and time, did not give me a reason why they are coming and nobody told me to expect a visit.

It's maybe just my hormones making me paranoid but I just wondered if this is the norm? I can't stand interference at the best of times and I'm getting annoyed now at the lack of infomation I'm being given and the fact that I'm expected to do as I'm told all the time. First baby by the way.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the rant

HV came to visit me before dd1 was born.

HV did not come to see me before dd2 or ds was born (but I knew her personally so perhaps she thought she didn't need to)

I think it is fairly common practice.

They always drop round / ask to drop round when it's least convenient and are then surprised if you have a life . You just need to develop a beatific smile and a steely resolve as you smile and say "I'm so sorry, it's not convenient now / today / in 15 minutes"!

I suspect that the provision will vary locally. I didn't have a pre-birth visit with either of mine.

I think that, in general, health professionals do tend to expect patients to be ready to jump when they are ready. And heath visitors offices, like doctors receptionists, are often worse that the practitioners themselves

But I agree that it is a very annoying attitude (esp as you're only 29 weeks and could easily still be working, for example). Ime the easiest way to diffuse the frustration is just to ask for info - so ask for clarification of what visits you should expect, whether they are obligatory/what they are for, what to do should you need to reschedule etc ... then you feel like you have some sense of power, anyway.

Not that I have issues with authority or anything, oh no.

Hi, I had a pre-birth visit with DD (in Gloucestershire) and I know I will get one will DC2 (in Cornwall) as I have spoken to the HV already.

Yes, my Glous HV turned up at the craziest of times and never had a sensible slot to come and see me, but it is quite nice getting to know who they are before you pop so to speak

Down here in Cornwall everything is so laid back, my HV popped in for a 'quick' visit when we 1st moved here and left after an hour and a half and 2 cups of tea

Don't worry about the visit, it really should just be a getting to know you thing and to pick up on any issues that you may have after the birth (disposition to PND etc) so they can support you.

xxx

It's normal in my area to have a pre-birth visit.

It's to give you your parent held record and meet you and say hello so you know who your HV is. Also gives the HV a chance to talk about your feeding choices, safe sleeping (ie cot death avoidance), smoking in the home, etc and for you to raise any issues that you may not have been able to bring up with your midwife.

yes i had a pre birth visit too. I was bricking it as i thought she wouldbe running a finger along the picture rails for dust etc. Itcwas fine actually, although weird to have to answer questions on partner abuse when DH was sitting next to me bb

Depends if you want them, really. There's no obligation to.

No harm in politely explaining that they need to mutually agree appointments with you, as you do have other commitments...

No i didnt have a pre birth visit but to be honest my midwife was the bigest waste of space think i saw her once she always sent her "assistant" who didnt have a clue! she constantly expected to make or canx appointments with no notice, after a couple of times i would just tell her it didnt suit or i was only waiting in so long after the time we had arranged - why should you be stuck in because they dont turn up?? At one point I actually had to contact them to say i was due a visit, no wonder some kids slip through the system. Anyway took DD for her jag on her 1st birthday and she told us she was leaving it was the best birthday present dd could get and that was 8 months ago and no one has been in contact to say who my new hv is!

Rant over

Yes, I had a pre-birth visit (at about 36 weeks), which my HV told me was just to introduce herself.

She was lovely, chatty and seemed totally non-judgemental. She stopped for about half an hour, chatted to me about general health in pregnancy, issues ranging from where the baby will sleep, healthy eating, feeding the baby, domestic abuse, and what service they provide after the baby is born - ie clinic, vaccinations, difference between them and the GP etc etc.

As a first timer, I was really impressed with the service, and glad to have met her beforehand, as she'll won't then be a complete stranger when I next see her with a two-week-old baby. She did emphasise that afterwards I can have as much or as little contact with HVs as I wish - it's all down to what I feel I need.

Also, once again felt impressed and glad to have NHS care - having lived in other countries, from Africa to America, and seeing what little help and support pregnant and new mothers get compared to us I feel very lucky to be British