midwife/health visitors

[christmasbabygirl]

i was just wondering if anybody knows what the deal is with these, if i dont want one to come round do they have to? do u know if i can go to the birth center and see one there? not really keen on having one round tbh, but im not sure what the rules are, any ideas???
xxx

 

[nazmomi]

I dont think there are any rules as such, it is your house at the end of the day. Where welive you have all of your antenatal appointments at the health centre with the midwife or ante natal clinic with midwife/ consultant.
After the birth the midife visits you at home for about 10 days then passes you on to HV who makes 1 home visit to introduce themselves and let you know about clinics etc then you just see them at clinic after that unles there is a problem and you can call and ask them to come out .

 

[mary70]

you dont have to have contact hun but i think they would find it strange without a good reason

 

[Hazel]

I was glad to see mine for the reassurance that I was doing things right. I think they would start asking questions as to why you wouldn't want them to come round.

 

[Sherlock]

Lots of MW's only operate on surgery/hospital appointments and don't make home visits unless you are unwell or planning/having a homebirth. Mine never visited me at home until the day I went into labour. As I had a homebirth this was fine, otherwise I'd not have seen her here.

However they will come and visit you at home few times after giving birth. This is not only for you but also to check on baby and make sure there are no problems (as sometimes it takes a few days for things to appear and a MW is well trained to spot things that often new Mums are clueless or not really aware about). She also will check you if you have things like stitches, are breastfeeding and needing help etc. You really won't feel like making a big trip out to see a MW elsewhere in those early days. Just getting over labour is exhausting, factor in a newborn and its even more so. So them coming to you is the most logical and probably better all round for your baby also.

Once MW is happy baby and you are doing well she signs you over to the HV who usually makes at least one home visit and will inform you of clinics etc. FWIW I found it invaluable to have my HV happy to do home visits as the first 6 weeks after giving birth I was more or less house bound. No way was I able to get anywhere so them coming to me was a life saver. They are not there to make notes if you've not washed up or have dirty windows. They are there to advise and give you information so you can make your choices.

 

[babynumbertwo]

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[cloud9]

At dery they do a lot of post natal visits in the hosp due to shortages i think but as i was unwell after the birth they did come out and see me.
Can i ask why you don't want them there.. i know my husband though they were going to be nosey but they never went anywhere other than lounge

 

[christmasbabygirl]

well actually its quiet embarasing, iv got my older brother living with me and he is using the front room as his bedroom, the beds in there and wardrobe ect so its not my lounge anymore. If the hv comes there isnt really anywher for her to sit, my kitchens tiny and cant put chairs in there, the only place is my room. i dont want her to nose about him living here or to get involved.but io really wud like to see one to help if i have problems with breast feeding. yeah i think you are right as i dont want to make them suspicious that me or LO is in any kind of trouble. xxx

 

[mary70]

they wont care hun as long as you and the baby is ok, they are not there to judge

 

[nazmomi]

i'm sure health visitors have seen much stranger things and wouldn't bat an eyelid. You will feel better for seeing someone and it will be much esier for them to come to you in the early days.

 

[babynumbertwo]

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[christmasbabygirl]

oh what a relief! i must admit this has been worrying me from the beginning lol!! im hoping to move after LO is born anyway, well maybe a couple of months after when things have settled down. ill just make sure iv got a seat in the bedroom after the birth lol. xxx

 

[Sherlock]

My HV used to sit on the bed. I wasn't able to sit downstairs so she would always come up to see me. Never minded and was quite happy to chat with us both on the bed. I'd just let Galen feed and she would talk and fill out the paperwork. I'd not worry about a chair tbh.

They really are not there to judge you, but to offer support and advice. I'm sure things will be fine

 

[nori]

I really wouldnt worry.. poeple that live in studio apartments have their beds in the loving room anyway! As long as you have a roof over your head im sure they wont be atall bothered!

Hope you can relax now,

Claire x

 

[christmasbabygirl]

yup i definatly can thanks!! corr what wud i do without u ladies, sit up worrying all night thats what, lol!!! thanks again xxxxx

 

[nori]

aww bless ya.. i always worry what people think about me living in a 1 bed and not having a nursery but have learnt not to give a damn now..

Claire x

 

[cloud9]

happy mommy and happy baby are the most ikportant thigns not the size of the house...

MyHv used to tell me to not do the housework lol

 

[aramintalovegrove]

I lived with my mum whilst we exchanged on the house we were buying when I had DS.

I lived in her dining room with all my furniture and posessions stacked and crammed into the one room (I have a three storey house so you can imagine how much stuff that is!! The MW and HV didnt bat an eyelid and sat on my mattress on the floor (as we hadnt room to put up the bed)

Trust me going into your room for visits will be practically normal!!

I find my MW visits really useful (here we have her until 28 days and then the HV) Im glad you are happier for them to visit as even just getting to tell someone your are ok is good.

 

[trixipaws]

I was glad to see mine for the reassurance that I was doing things right. I think they would start asking questions as to why you wouldn't want them to come round.

i agree with this

 

[uncle_bens]

I wouldnt worry about it, when my sisters HV came over we didnt have a living room lol my sister was living in it. There was no space and it was so cramped, dont think she cared.