Health visiting video call

I’m due on the 11th too! So I’ve had my first appointment with my health visitor about a month ago and it was just an introduction really, she answered any baby questions I might have and explained what she’s there to do. I’ll have my next appointment I believe two weeks after my babies born where she does routine health checks etc. does she know that’s your due date? Seems an odd time to do that

And no, my appointment(s) have/will be in person so far

They’re nothing to worry about, however ask a lot of intrusive questions about your childhood and mental health. I suppose not a bad thing, but deffo caught me off guard! Other than that, they could answer all my random questions about safe sleep, baby wraps, breastfeeding and pump suggestions - anything baby related, that was really helpful! You can refuse a health visitor but I’m sure they’ll get funny about it… 100% I would ask for a rearranged date, that’s crazy. I had mine at like 29 weeks, which was weird!

@Heidi I thought it was just mine who did this! Also felt like mine was trying to catch me out 🙄

@Colette Honestly felt the same!! Felt quite negative at times, she said phrases like “traumas can come out once you’ve had the baby and that’s okay…” - this might be helpful for some people but I’m very much a push through, positive person 🤣 But @Izzy I don’t want to scare you or put you off, it was overall quite helpful for all the random questions! Just wish I knew this beforehand ☺️

Thank you everyone that’s gives a piece of mind. I will try and rearrange for another day so it’s not on my due date xx

@Colette are u ready for baby to come yet haha I am, feel sore every time I move lol xx

Crazy how they have given you an appointment on your actual due date! They should have contacted you at least a month before. I’ve recently had an appointment; it was mainly an introduction and to see how I was getting on / giving advice etc x

@Zeeba i know im quite surprised too all I’ve had running up to this email is jus growth appointments seen the doctors and midwives no one mention that I should have seen anyone before my due date, I did get a letter sent at 28 weeks saying they was gonna send a health visitor before I was due and one after xx

@Izzy definitely! I’m so sick of being pregnant now. I wanna feel normal again 😫

I actually think the health visitors are great. I didn't have an antenatal visit with my first, but i think it's great to see them and ask any questions you might have and start thinking about things you may not have thought about as a first time mum. Even as a 2nd time mum I thought it was great to have a chat, get a refresher and go over any issues i had with my first so I feel better prepared this time. After I'd had my first they were just so lovely and figuratively held my hand when I was finding things hard (feeding problems, sleep problems etc). They definitely aren't there to catch you out - they're there to make sure you and baby are safe physically and mentally.

Health visitors are fab! You’re only in your midwife’s hands for a couple of weeks and then you’re signed over to your HV for the rest of babies progress. Every county is different by the sounds of it but for me our last appointment was around 12 weeks when they were happy his weight was consistent (2nd centile baby) and then not until his 1 year check up for height weight and development. But consistently there for reweighs if you get concerned if babies been poorly or off milk to check they’ve not dropped too much weight (with no judgement) We just had a phone call this time because it wasn’t that long we had one here for the 1 year check up but honestly nothing to worry about! With our first she just came in and sat on the floor and chatted with us. It didn’t feeling like I was having my life dug into, she didn’t explore and examine the house, just had a cuppa tea and a natter about how I expected to feed and recover, safe sleep and so on and same this time just over the phone