Health visitors
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I've had 2 visits from hv and they was both in the first 6 weeks. I do get him weighed regularly and I speak to them then if I have any questions or concerns.
Our experience with midwife / HV has been shocking! When I had my oldest (10 years ago) I saw midwife for the first 6 weeks and then health visitor for the next 6 weeks.. with both gradually reducing their visits. This time round, I've seen Midwife twice and HV twice. I've had complications with both myself (C Sec scar) and baby.. and although both MW and HV are very nice.. the lack of visits really concerned me. its my second baby and due to my job i feel that I'm probably more fortunate to be able to look after myself and baby correctly.. but if something went wrong, it would have really gone wrong. I'm guessing it's the lack of staff / funding as everything but still... I feel this totally not acceptable and really feel for FTM / young mums or someone without support systems.
In my area I don’t think they would keep seeing you unless there are any issues. We have weekly drop in weighing clinics where there are a few HVs if you want to speak to anyone, they also do free workshops on weaning etc and some free sensory classes at the family hubs. I had some listening visits after my first baby. If you have any concerns you can call them and they’ll follow up on things, eg they referred my 2 year old to a dietitian earlier this year when she had some stomach issues. We’ve also had a 1 and 2.5 year ish review for her, not seen the HV since the 6 week check for this baby.
I think they only visit if there's a need. I had about 4 visits in the first 2 months because my baby was 5 weeks premature and I needed help with breast feeding. If your baby's weight is fine and there are no concerns then they'll stop the visits. You should still continue to get baby weighed and speak to hv there x
We don't even get them in Hampshire. When I asked what these were before, people told me they were not worth missing 🤣
Nobody sees their HV at this stage unless 1. They ask to see them or 2. Your child has additional needs, a health concern like poor weight gain or if they were concerned about the child. It varies on area and NHS trust but in the trust I work for, you have a primary visit within first couple of weeks of birth, then a 6-8 week visit and then the next visit would be 6-9 month where they complete a developmental assessment. Sometimes there may be contact in between for example my trust offers sessions that you can join about weaning for example, but they aren't with a HV and instead with a practitioner.
It must be different in Scotland, I’ve had a health visitor visit me and my little girl at home quite a few times since birth, including 6-8 week check then again at 3 months for a check and has been extremely helpful with information regarding weaning, teething and breastfeeding😊 My health visitor is lovely! We now aren’t booked in for another visit until February however it’s been made clear if I need to see her at all in between she passes my door every day so is more than happy to drop in for a visit!
I’ve not seen a health visitor since my little one was 6 weeks old. I called about a month ago and spoke to someone on the phone saying I was worried about potential post natal depression. They said someone from the local HV team would call me but they never did. I understand they are busy but yes I have felt alone in it all and got myself through the harder days as we all do. Would be nice to have that support. I don’t have a ‘village’ as such either. My mum has her own problems. My in laws don’t seem that interested yet. My best friend is nowhere to be seen. My partner works a lot and then is very involved with his friends. Sometimes it feels like it’s just me and my boy against the world 🥹
@Kimmy you should chase them up on that. That’s not good enough. There is support out there for you. Feel free to message me if you need someone to talk to x https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/
@Lauren thank you so much x
Health visiting service varies massively depending on where you live, bit of a postcode lottery unfortunately. I’m in Leicestershire and we haven’t seen ours since 6 weeks. With my first baby during Covid they reduced the service and it seemed we got a lot less than the rest of the country!