Health Visitors

Just looking at what I should expect from health visitors. I'm not from the UK and a few months ago I randomly got a letter that because I'm expecting a baby they'd be in touch for a visit. I didn't know what a health visitor was and that's pretty much all it said. I mean it's a letter from the council just saying they'll come to your house which is not helpful when you're not from here. My midwife care at this point was also very poor and inconsistent and with a very tough pregnancy I wasn't finding anything very helpful and it was just stressing me out. My midwife team had never mentioned a health visitor or what it is. I phoned the health visitors and asked if they could send me some more information in writing about what this is, what I can expect from the visits etc as all they told me on the phone is they're here to support me and the baby but it wasn't clear what support this is. They agreed to send me some more information and 2 months later I hadn't heard anything from them and I've gone past the date of their first visit which I'm really not up for now and a video call hasn't been offered. They said they could see me last week but I'm in so much pain and discomfort that I said I'd want to wait now as I'm really not up for visits at this stage of pregnancy with baby due in a few days. Then the visitor basically told me it's my fault for not getting in touch with them. I said I think there's been a misunderstanding and asked if somebody could phone me about this and I've not heard anything back from them since. I've been so stressed and in so much pain this pregnancy so I just wanted some specific information on what to expect from the visits, especially as they're coming to my house. I just don't really have a very good impression of the person I've been dealing with and just wondering how helpful you have found them. I know they're busy but I really don't feel like building a relationship with them based on my current impression.

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Hi Hun, I’m not from the UK either (USA) and found the whole HV thing very strange at first. They are basically a nurse that does babies weight and height checks as your GP won’t do them. They will also offer a bit of weaning/breastfeeding help (give pamphlets and reinforce NHS guidelines). It really depends on the trust and the nurse as to whether the HV appointments are helpful. The antinatal visits basically is an introduction to what services are offered and to go over safe sleep HV will check sleeping arrangements if they are set up otherwise will check at the first appointment after baby arrives your postpartum midwife home visit will also check this. There are 2-3 home visits in the first 12 weeks at least in my trust the 12-16 week visit was optional I chose to have it scheduled after that there are no official visits till the 1 year milestone review then no official visits till the 2.5 year milestone review….

There should be day clinic hours at a community hub or school where you can pop in and get baby weighed and ask any questions you may have in between official appointments. You can also call your HV hub to ask questions or request a visit for any serious concerns about development. I am sure there will be some UK mums that comment and give better info and their opinions on the service. 🥰

The health visitor just comes to your house, asks questions about what you have ready for baby. Offers advice on safe sleeping / breastfeeding etc. Answers any questions you may have and just checks in on you. I had a visit around 29 weeks pregnant and will have another one a couple weeks after baby is born.. I believe you see the midwife for up to 2 weeks postpartum, and then they sign you off to the health visitor. I was a bit anxious about this with my first child but not this time around as I knew what to expect. They are just there to help you, to meet you and to look at the environment you're in really x

Thank you both. We'll see if they even get in touch with me again. Not impressed with them so far with the communication I've received x

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