Midwife wants to do a home assessment....

[Enasy]

I'm 21 weeks + 5 days and this morning I received a call from a midwife saying she needed to book an appointment with me to come to the house to do a home assessment! Checking equipment purchased and babies bedroom.

I live in the Bolton area in the UK anyone else have this? I'm only 21 weeks I don't have anything for her to look at and I find it a little intrusive to be honest I don't want a stranger going through my stuff. I always see midwives at the local clinic I don't want them coming to our house

 

[leahtaba]

thats a bit much isnt it! After my DD was born and they do a home check-up the midwife asked to see were she was sleeping but nothing to that extent. It would be interesting to hear if that is the standard practice for your area because i've never heared of it before.

 

[Rickles]

Yes I had them come to my home, but it was after baby was born. They checked where the baby was sleeping and asked me a few questions about my emotional well being.

TBH there are so many stories of babies and toddlers being neglected and abused that if this is what they have to do to try and prevent it, I'm all for it. I found it a lot less intrusive than what was done to me during labour

 

[Yo_Yo]

That sounds very intrusive and slightly patronising. I'm guessing it's because your a younger mother-but your hardly a teenager

I had my first baby just before my 20th birthday and had nothing like that.

It's probably just some scheme to identify those at possible risk or in need of extra support.

 

[EmzyJA]

Hmmm, I never had that who my daughter, don't think I'd like the idea. I know they do home visits after baby is born to check up and make sure all is ok, which i was fine with of course. Never heard of that before thought especially as this stage it's a bit odd.

 

[Unexpected212]

I know that I had a home visit from my midwife at 25 weeks last time and she didn't even look at anything just came in the front room

This time I had a home visit booked and they cancelled last minute. When I said I could come in to see them they said no they have to do a home visit? Said it was to get to know me etc but I'm pretty sure it's an excuse to have a nose?!

I guess the way you have to see it is that as intrustive as it is they are just trying to make sure that no child goes without what they need and it's a good way to look out for potential issues with a dirty house or lack of space etc.

I had a home visit after my son was born too.

 

[laurabe]

At 21 weeks to check the baby's bedroom and purchases?! I'm 23 + 3 so if they came to check mine they'd see a cotbed still boxed and a she!l of a room waiting for plasterwork before I can begin to decorate! I've never heard of these type of visits but if this is what they are doing 21 weeks is far too early!

 

[vickyandchick]

I'm almost 21 weeks and have heard nothing about that so far, I can't imagine why she'd want to come to your house now- you still have quite a while left As for purchases if they came to my house they'd see 3 outfits and a teddy bear, 21 weeks is way to early.

I've been told about home visits maybe just before baby is due and also afterwards but never before.

EDIT: The home visits before birth is only if you want midwife to come to you near the end instead of having to go to the doctors, the ones here say they'll do whatever is comfortable for you

 

[newbie1992]

I havent come across that just yet, I mean i dont mind, I dont have anything to hide, infact I love showing off my baby's bits but I agree, I am 24 weeks and am moving into my house on saturday so until 30 weeks they wont be seeing much but an empty room. Its much more practical to do it soon after they are born!! x

 

[Kittycat155]

How odd. All I can think is at this stage many have yet to have a baby shower/family gathering so WHY would you have a bunch of stuff as you maybe getting gifts. Is it possible they do not realize your so early and the records are wrong?

Home visits are a new thing to me. Where I was getting prenatal care it was offered from the visiting nurse but very optional and more aimed at looks at the services you can get/qualify for. I said no as I really do not need them. Down the road I can ask if some new need arrises.
But IMO if baby is being abused you could easily have a room together and "pass" their inspection. Baby gaining weight,good skin condition and bonded with Mother would be more important and that can be scene at office visits.

 

[calm]

how very patronising and overbearing. Not everyone would want to have bought things at 21 weeks either, I highly doubt I'll have little more than a few bits of clothes if that at your stage. Not surprised you find it intruding!

 

[Hoping4Four]

Very very strange! Even when I was a "teenage mum" I never had anything like that. With my last pregnancy I wanted a home birth so the midwife came to see me at around 36 weeks to check the place was suitable and give me my delivery pack, but I've never heard of them doing home visits earlier than that

Oh and I would find it intrusive too. How annoying!!

 

[Unexpected212]

Everyone makes the very good point of who has everything that early.

At the moment I have all the main stuff at nearly 26 weeks but the nursery itself its a mess as I'm not sorting it out till I'm on Maternity.

 

[modified]

I wouldn't be very impressed and would feel very patronised. It would be a pointless thing of them to expect of me.. I'm moving at 35w so she'd have to come see the house baby won't be living in! And I'll have no nursery until after she's here.

 

[SisterRose]

I've never had any home visits before the birth, from midwives or health visitors I must admit, the thought of it would make me a little edgy. Like everyone else has said, what is she expecting to see at 21 weeks? Most people have barely started buying by that time let alone got a nursery ready and prepared. I have no idea what the standard practice in that area is, but I know someone who was from Bolton in our september stars 2010 page and I could ask her if she had the same?

I've had midwives home visit AFTER the baby is born but only to come and weigh the baby, check the baby isnt jaundiced or any other problems and to make sure I'm doing ok after the birth and everything is getting back to normal. Nobody has ever asked to see where the baby sleeps or to look at the bedroom

 

[Rickles]

Did she say when she wanted the appt to take place - I'd call back and say not before 36 weeks.

You are allowed to ask why they are doing it, if it is standard practice in the area and also which guidelines they are following which deem it necessary. So I would do that - not in an aggressive way, just how the ladies have here - "it seems a little crazy to do it so early - because we haven't even started buying baby bits - most people don't until 25 weeks etc." "Is this a new thing in the area - I've not heard of it before and none of my friends have..."

She might put your mind at ease - and if not you can refuse or ask that someone familiar does it like your midwife or GP xx

 

[AP]

I would tell them no to be honest! That is patronising! I had nothing at 21 weeks!

 

[Mrsturner]

I never had any such visit when I had my son and the thought of them snooping around is really patronising like all the others have said.
My HV and midwife have both been to my house this time but not to snoop. My booking appointment with the MW was at home and my HV has been here to do my sons 2 year review but not to snoop upstairs at what I'd bought the baby. They wouldn't find much here anyway except for a few pink clothes. The rest of its in the loft from when I had DS.
Cheeky sods. I would definitely ask them why they think it's necessary x

 

[Magsy]

I think I'd be questioning the competency of any midwife who expects you to have a room set up and everything you need at 21 weeks. That's completely ridiculous.

 

[Claire788]

LOL! That's bonkers! If they call me their going to be disappointed, baby doesn't have a room!! It will have to share when its big enough with its brother! In with us meantime, and I've bought a Sleeping bag - that's IT. but they'd be welcome to look at it!! I'd def put them off until 36 weeks+!!